The Book Of Micah - A Commentary Part II

Chapter 3 -  The prophet speaks against Judah and Israel. The rulers do not show justice, but practice evil and devour the people like savage beasts resulting in God not hearing them when they cry out vs 1-4. The false prophets would declare peace if they were fed, but would declare war, if they weren't.

These false prophets would ultimately be embarrassed because they didn't have a true word from the Lord vs 5-7.

Micah made it clear that he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and declared God's truth vs 8.

Chapter 4 - In the end times (Millennium), nations will come to Israel to learn God's law. War will end. People will be at rest finally. The Lord will bring back all his captives to where he has scattered them.

Chapter 5 - The prophet predicts the coming of the Messiah vs. 2. Israel's enemies will be destroyed in the last days for plundering them. Israel is referenced as lion and young lion. Israel will be restored to their own land vs 5-9. God will remove those things that Israel trusted in like: horses, chariots, sorcery, soothsayers (fortune tellers), carved images, sacred pillars vs. 10-14.

Chapter 6 - In this chapter the prophet is speaking as in a court of law -

The Plaintiff - God
The Defendant - Sinful Israel
The Third Party - The prosecuting attorney on the Lord's side

God is recounting how he's been good to Israel, delivering them Egyptian bondage, and from the madness of the Baalam the prophet for hire and Balak,  King of Moab who wanted the nation cursed vs 1-5.

Israel's reply is, "what can I do to make it right before the Lord, burnt offerings, thousands of rams; will that please the Lord. Ten thousand rivers of oil. Shall I give my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" Verses 6-7.

The reply to Israel's rhetorical question is an answer in the form of a questions, for them to do to justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with their God vs. 8.  Israel was spiritually dense in that they were suggesting religious externalism to appease God and not spiritual regeneration which comes from the heart. Verses 9-16 deals with Israel being punished for their sins.

Chapter 7 - The prophet laments over the nation's sins. He likens himself to a owner of a vineyard with no fruit to eat vs. 1. The faithful one's have disappeared, only the evil remain as family turns against each other vs. 2-6. Micah chooses to trust in the Lord vs. 7.

In verses 8-10, Israel declares although I'm down because of my sins, the Lord will raise me up, and  put my enemies to shame because of their antagonism regarding God's help.

The prophet petitions the Lord to guide and protect his people which the Lord will because of the covenant he made with their fathers (i.e. Abraham) vs 14-15.

This provision will amaze and embarass Israel's enemies causing great fear among them vs. 16-17.
In verses 18-20, Micah end his oracle with a doxology; letting his listeners and readers know that God is a God of mercy, pardoning sin and passing over transgression, not forever angry, and delighting in mercy.

Verse 19 specifically states that he will subdue our iniquities. Our sins will be drowned in the sea. Symbolic speech for completely separating us from our sins forever.

This concludes the book of Micah the prophet.

The Book of Micah - A Commentary

Micah who was a Hebrew prophet name means, “Who is a God like You?” prophesied in the eighth century B.C. Micah prophesied prior to the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 B.C.

Chapter 1 -  God through the prophet pronounces judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) vs. 6&7. Primarily he’s dealing with the southern kingdom of Judah.

The prophets laments for both nations, and says not to tell their neighbors they hear and rejoice over nations demise, vs. 8-13. The end of the chapter deals the prophet telling the people they need to deal with their sin by going into deep mourning about their iniquities. This was a sign of genuine grief for sin vs. 16.

Chapter 2 -  Because the evil rich robbed the poor, God is going to judge them by a turncoat (i.e. enemy) to plunder them and remove their boundaries; their apportioned land will be taken, vs 1-5. The people also listened to false prophets instead of true, hindering God’s message, vs 6-11. The end of the prophet’s message is one of future and final deliverance from captivity and restoration of the nation when Messiah leads them back at his second advent. Verse twelve says they will return with a loud noise due to the multitude of the remnant which must indicate they’ll come back with rejoicing.

So, what about Christian Tithing?

The majority of leaders and parishioners in the Church say we’re required to tithe, that is one is to give a tenth of their income to God every week. But, I ask the reader the following questions: When and where did the tithe originate? Who was it for? And, what was it’s purpose?

Before answering those questions, let’s site the most popular verse regarding tithing, Malachi 3:8-10: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me, even this whole nation (i.e. Israel, not the church). Bring all the tithes in the storehouse that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be enough room for you to receive it (italics added).

It’s unfortunate that this passage regarding the tithe has been isolated in light of so many other passages in the Old Testament regarding the subject. The tithe became law back in the book of Leviticus chapter 27:30: And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or the fruit of the tree is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord (Italics added).

This tithe is regarded as the Levite’s tithe. Why? Because the other tribes were to support the priestly tribe for the service of their daily ministry at the house of God. Levites were not allowed to till the land as the other tribes did for their compensation. The Lord was their inheritance (Deuteronomy 18:2). The Levites were the governing body of the Theocracy of Israel – meaning the nation was run by God. Levites were God’s direct servants on the earth. Giving to the Levites was in essence giving to the Lord. The tithe was taxation to support their government, and it was holy and good. It was so holy that the Levites had to give a tenth of the tithe (a heave offering) they received from the people to the Lord through Aaron, the High Priest (Numbers 18:25-32).

Also every third year, the tithe was to be stored within one’s gates and was to be distributed to the Levites, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. Not only was the tithe meeting the needs of the Levites, it took care of the welfare of the poor along with their annual religious festivals where the nation would go to the sanctuary where they would eat and rejoice in the Lord’s provision (Numbers 14:22-29).


 Other Old Testament passages that deal with tithing are II Chronicles 31:5-11 and Nehemiah 10:35-39.

Tithing is not required of the church. It was an Old Testament ordinance. Jesus mentions the tithe in Matthew 23, and in a parable in Luke 18:12. The tithe is also mentioned in Hebrews 7 because the writer is recounting the events between Abraham and Melchizedek in Genesis 14, but not in the sense that we’re obligated to do it. This does not absolve the church of it’s obligation to give however. Jesus in Luke 6:38 commands us to give and it shall be given back to us… In I Corinthians 16 Paul commands the church to lay aside something on the first day of the week. Here, Paul was specifically making reference to the Corinthians giving money to support the poor Saints in Jerusalem. However I believe storing a discretionary amount on an ongoing basis is good.

II Corinthians 9:6-7 tells us to decide what we’re to give and give it with joy for this is what God loves. No percentage is prescribed here. It’s at the giver’s discretion. We’re allowed to give a tenth, more than or less than a tenth. Faithfulness and attitude is the key. 


Let me hasten to make another point, if you've been blessed by giving a tenth of your increase to the Lord every week, by all means continue. God is blessing your faithfulness.

There may be people who give tithes because they’re afraid not to – believing if they fail to do so, will be robbing God, and cursed with a curse. The tragedy of the Malachi 3:8-10 was that the people of God were not tithing, and as a result, were robbing the Levites, and more importantly God of what he was due. This forced the Levites to work in the fields with the other tribes to meet their needs which meant God’s house was neglected; meaning the daily offerings and obligation of the nation in terms of worship were brought to a halt. This angered the Lord, and that is why he told the children of Israel that “…you have robbed me in tithes and offerings.”  The Lord also told Israel, “you’re cursed with a curse for robbing me!” They failed to pay their taxes thus not supporting the theocratic government thus breaking the law of God which is holy. 


Keep in mind not only were tithes required giving year by year (not every week as people do in the church today), some Levitical offerings were required as well, and that on a daily basis. If the church is going to require the tithe, they have to require certain Old Testament offerings as well (Leviticus 1-5). See the confusion this causes?

In closing, where did the tithe originate? In Israel's day, Leviticus 27:30. This where it became law. What was it’s purpose? To fund the national government of Israel just like our taxes do today. Who was the beneficiaries? The Levites, the stranger, the orphan, and the widows. Giving to God should always be motivated by love and obedience, not by compulsion, intimidation, a prescribed amount, or  poor theology - not explaining the subject in it's entirety.

 Be glad we have the blessed privilege to give (Acts 20:35). It’s builds the kingdom of God, supports the work of the ministry, and most importantly, it glorifies the Lord with the resources he’s given us.

WHY WATER BAPTISM?

What is water baptism? What is it’s purpose? Who can participate? The word baptism comes from the Greek word baptisma which means to submerge or immerse. This also is in reference to John’s baptism and Christian baptism.

There’s no mention of baptism in the Old Testament. The first time we encounter baptism is in the gospel of Matthew where we find John the Baptist baptizing in the Jordan River. The purpose for this was for repentance of sins, and to prepare the participant for the Messiah (Matthew 3:5-6). John’s baptism was incomplete and was never meant to save or take away sins. In short, water baptism can not save anyone (emphasis added)! For if it could, Jesus dying on the cross and shedding his blood would have been in vain.  

John declared to the religious leaders that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

In fact, when Jesus approached John to be baptized, John tried to prevent him and replied, “I need be baptized by you, and you’re coming to me? John recognized that Jesus’ baptism is what he needed also, for he himself knew that he was a sinner and needed salvation. ” But Jesus said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he (John the Baptist), allowed him (Matthew 3:13-15. Italics added). Jesus being water baptized was identifying with sinners and those he knew he would save. This simple act was an expression of love for the lost. Jesus met us at our point of need.

Water baptism is an outward sign of what has already taken place in the heart of a believer. Water baptism signifies publicly that one is identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Water baptism only has validity if one has already been baptized spiritually – i.e. born again (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 19:2:Romans 6:3-6; Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27). 

Water baptism is most significant because of what is symbolizes, and who it identifies you with, the Lord Jesus Christ. Every believer needs to be water baptized so that we fulfill all righteousness. Jesus substituted his sinless life and represented us in his humiliating death on the cross – paying the price for our sins. A debt that he alone was qualified to pay. The  least we can do is represent him publicly in symbolically showing solidarity in his death, burial and resurrection for it's a loving act of obedience to our Savior.