*END WORK ZONE*

Sovereign Grace in Micah

Though the doctrines of God’s sovereign grace appear heavily in the teachings of the New Testament, the pages of the Old Testament also bear witness to them.  Sometimes I’m surprised at how often the prophets make such references.  Such has been the case as I’ve been studying Micah.  I think one could make a case that all five points can be found within the seven chapters of this minor prophet.

Micah 2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

The Lord, the Shepherd of His people, assembles, gathers, and puts together His flock.  Who is this flock, except God’s chosen, the remnant of Israel?  Those that are not of the flock will not believe, as John 10:26 says.  Not only are those sheep elected, but they are preserved.  “All of thee:” not one will be lost, even in light of their great sin (3:8).  God’s call is also seen as effectual, as He will surely gather and surely assemble the flock.

Micah 4:6-7 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
Though God’s people may at times be a lost flock (Jeremiah 50:6), He will ultimately bring them back.  It’s noticeable for me that the Lord will make a remnant.  He doesn’t gather those that are by themselves worthy, but God must create such a remnant, or there would be none to assemble.

Micah 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
God’s elect as a dew from the Lord, as showers from heaven.  The sons of God are born, not of men, not of the earth, but of God.  (John 1:12-13)

Micah 7:2,4 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men…The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge
All man’s righteousness are as filthy rags, the most upright are no better than a painful, irritating branch.  A faithful man who can find?

Micah 7:7-8  Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.  Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Would God’s children fall out of his hand?  Even in the midst of great sin, the Lord will turn the hearts of His own back to him.  God testifies of the sin of Israel in previous chapters, including idolatry, coveting, deceitful tongues, hating good, and loving evil.  In fact, God says in 3:4 that because of their sin, He will not hear the cries of the people, hiding His face from them.  And yet, Micah trusts in the faithfulness of God to His people, in that, though they fall and be in darkness, they shall arise again and be brought back to the flock. “My God will hear me.” God will bring repentance, restore His people, and accomplish a turning of their heads back to Himself in due time.

Micah 7:9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.
What a picture of God’s sovereign dealings with men!  Before the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, sinners bear the full weight of the Lord’s indignation.  His wrath is not removed until our cause is advocated, and we know this to be the intercessory work of Christ.  1 John 2:1—My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  Those who believe will, indeed, behold the righteousness of God, through Christ, as Romans 3:21-22 says: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
God’s children, those He has adopted to Himself through Christ, look with exceeding thankfulness to the passing by of their transgressions.  We have not received what we have deserved.  Even Micah, some 700 years before the New Testament was written, proclaims Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14)

Who is a God like unto thee?