Zion’s
Breadth and Depth in Victory
Introduction – The church today,
along with the world, thinks about Christmas in a sentimental way. A babe in a manger, angels singing “Peace on
earth” in a ‘little town of Bethlehem’, and gifts of frankincense (He probably
exchanged that) and gold. Micah is
dwelling on the One who will be born in Bethlehem as well (v 2) and speaks of
Peace (v5), but this stirs quite different visions for him. As the aged Simeon said, “Behold, this Child
is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel,” (Luke 2:34).
Externally:
Inevitable and Relentless Dominion (vv7-9) –
Remnants, like small towns, can look so insignificant. So did Jesus Christ and His small band of
disciples. So does the church in most
history books, and in the mind of modern man today. But God is not acting ‘like a gentleman’, nor waiting to be
invited. He has given His Son the
world.
The Remnant of
Jacob (v7 & 8) – These are the faithful, those
who have believed on the One from Bethlehem (5:2). The church is therefore this ‘remnant’.
Dew From the
Lord (v7) – The people of
God will show up everywhere, like dew on the grass. They will not wait for the plans of man, for fallen man will
never seek God. The nations will be as
effective at keeping the gospel out as they are at keeping the weather
out. The Spirit of God will blow where
it wishes (John 3:8).
Like a Lion
(v8) – The lion is a relentless force in his hunt, and who can stop him? In the same way, the church shall be among
the unbelieving world - - hunting for souls - - and no one can stop her. In addition, it will tear apart the
strongholds that imprison those souls and nations, treading them down through
the unceasing roar of the gospel-herald.
Destroying
Enemies (v9) – Paul makes clear that our battle is not
against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12). Our
weapons are not carnal (2 Cor 10:4-5), but this sword is intended to rip out
hearts of stone. The point, then, of vv
7-9 is that the Great Commission will be accomplished. This is how the message of triumph began
(4:1-5).
Internally: A
Portrait of Sanctification (vv10-14) – Over and over, the Lord
promises to ‘cut off’ and ‘destroy’ whatever we might have placed our trust in
instead of Him. “It is a great mercy
to be deprived of those things in which we have reposed a confidence in
competition with God, which we have made our arm, and after which we have gone
a whoring from God” – M. Henry. Not
only has God given His Son the world, but the Bride He has selected is being
purified and prepared for holiness.
“In that day”
(v10) – Micah is still connecting all of these promises to the restoration
which will take place ‘in the latter days’ of 4:1. These are the days of the Messiah, which began at the Incarnation
and ministry of Jesus Christ and continue to this day as He rules at the right
hand of God the Father. While we are
still being sanctified, because God has promised it, it is as good as done (Heb
10:14, Rom 8:30).
Horses and
Chariots (v10) – Messiah is our Peace (5:5) and we are
to learn not to trust in our war-machines.
This is not a call to pacifism, for David, who was a great military man,
said the same thing (Psalm 20:7), trusting ultimately in the chariots of God
(Psalm 68:17).
Cities and
Strongholds (v11) – Messiah is our Peace and so we must not
trust in our Towers of Babel to reach heaven or establish peace on earth. We do not become immortal because of our
associations, our corporations, or our technological or medical accomplishments. When Jerusalem trusted in her walls but not
in the Lord, the Lord tore down her walls.
Sorceries and
Soothsayers (v12) – We have enjoyed a great time of
economic prosperity in our country. Who
gets the credit? Bill Clinton, Ronald
Reagan, or Alan Greenspan – or how about the ‘hard-working people of
America’? Our trust in the economy will
be our economic ruin. But for the
remnant, God will use this to teach and remind us that He is the only One to
ultimately trust.
In the same way, we turn to all
kinds of ‘sorceries’ for inner-peace, be they psychological or pseudo-religious
in nature. Many Christians are like the
Israelites in Egypt, who were brought out in a glorious Exodus, but still carry
with them idols and idolatrous practices.
Images and
Idols (v13-14) – Where are our idols? Whether actually manufactured, or simply
conjured up in our minds, our systems, and our worldviews, they will be crushed
as the Lord instructs us to ‘no more worship the work of your hands’. Paul says that ‘covetousness is idolatry’
(Col 3:5), for then we are not trusting and thanking God for our situation, we
are demanding that we have what God has granted to someone else.
God’s Vengeance (v15) - God purifies the church on the inside and
protects the church on the outside. He
does this, not just for His own glory, but also from His jealous love over
us. He is our King and our Defender and
He vindicates those who have been wronged.
For the church
– His jealous love is over you now (2 Cor 11:2-4). You must find your greatest desires met in your only Husband,
your only God.
To the world
– You have heard the gospel (Matt 21:42-44).
Now you must hear and obey.