“Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The instruction [torah] will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem .” — Micah 4:2

  • The people of Israel and Judah [like the nations] became degraded in their way of life. The people who had been chosen to promote life became an embarrassment to the God who chose them. Both Israel and Judah left God aside and put their trust in other gods, building idols and worshiping at altars where they offered human sacrifices. The rulers fell prey to the lust for power and riches. Religious leaders and prophets became businessmen, giving hopeful messages only to those who paid, telling them what they wanted to hear. Bribery and extortion thrived in the justice system.
  • Into this context, Micah spoke the word of the Lord. He denounced all these things and warned God’s people of the consequences of their actions. With pain in his heart, he announced a coming invasion, significant destruction upon these peoples, and their exile.
  • But the prophet also announced messages of hope, unity, peace, and security for the nations in new times with a new government, if they turned to God. He promised the intervention of the Lord, great in power and mercy, who will mediate and resolve conflicts between powerful and distant nations. He will transform the instruments of war into tools to sustain and promote life. He will teach the way of life in abundance and make those who seek and trust in Him walk in the path of good works.
  • The message of hope of the prophet Micah is for nations. The Lord will intervene. He will mediate between us and other countries. He is able to bring peace, unity, security, trust, and well-being for those of us who trust in Him because He has opened the way for access to God! And as we find peace with God, we learn to trust Him and walk in His ways, and that is what transforms relationships and families and communities and even nations. We will embrace and share with one another rather than serve our own interests and greed. We can lay down our lives for others because Jesus has laid down His for us. A new era has begun under the reign of Jesus Christ, one who is impartial, righteous, sensitive, equitable, and wise.
  • This edited Langham Partnership Advent devotional (our final one) is by Maria del Carmen Urey of Bolivia. https://langham.org/advent-2023/

Cameron