Saturday, October 16, 2010

Micah 7:1-7

1 What misery is mine!
I am like one who gathers summer fruit
at the gleaning of the vineyard;
there is no cluster of grapes to eat,
none of the early figs that I crave.

2 The faithful have been swept from the land; 

not one upright person remains. 

Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; 

they hunt each other with nets.

3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil; 

the ruler demands gifts, 

the judge accepts bribes, 

the powerful dictate what they desire— 

they all conspire together.

4 The best of them is like a brier, 

the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. 

The day of your watchmen has come, 

the day God visits you. 

Now is the time of their confusion.

5 Do not trust a neighbor; 

put no confidence in a friend. 

Even with the woman who lies in your embrace 

be careful of your words.

6 For a son dishonors his father, 

a daughter rises up against her mother, 

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 

your enemies are the members of your own household.

7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, 

I wait for God my Savior; 

my God will hear me.

Questions to consider:
  • Describe the Spiritual character of Judah and Jerusalem.
  • Can you explain the metaphors that Micah uses?
  • What has happened to human relationships?

Possibilities for prayer:

Verse 7 of this passage gives me hope. Micah declares that his God will hear him, and he does so with confidence. He has just finished discussing the various ways in which the people left behind do evil, and how he is alone in many ways. There are ways in which we all feel alone at times, even if we aren’t, in actuality. Today, let’s ask God to surround us with His presence, that we might not ever feel alone. Let’s be people who declare, as Micah did,

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior,
my God will hear me.”