Series in Micah - Don't Test God's Patience!

 

Don't Test God’s Patience!

Micah 2:5-11

As it was in the days of the Old Testament prophets, there are similariies today. For there are many who will tell you to not preach that message, or speak such and such, for it will offend, or it is not politically correct. Or bespeak the evidence that the ungodly wealthy have absconded things unjustly and for corrupt gain. And when God speaks a word to the people out of the Bible, it should never be altered, pampered, boohooed, or diluted of its potency, or of its intended divine purpose. Such is the reality today, for self-seeking authorities on both sides of the geopolitical fence, test God’s patience and His will in response to His way, what He is saying, and to the times which He has appointed.

So let’s read the first portion of the text, “The people preach at me and say, “Don't preach at us. Don't preach about all that. God is not going to disgrace us. Do you think the people of Israel are under a curse? Has the Lord lost his patience? Would he really do such things? Doesn't he speak kindly to those who do right?” (GNT)

Micah, like Jeremiah later, were told to be quiet or to not preach against the political norms or spirituality harlotry in Israel. Micah had received the Word from God and had seen a vision of the upcoming wrath of God because of the habitual and perpetual sins of idolatry, debauchery, and greed of the self-seeking wealthy. God had sent other prophets and messengers such as Isaiah, Joel, and Hosea during this time as well with the same warning to the leaders (kings, the wealthy, and priests) and common folk, and in like manner they told the seers not to speak out against the nation, its hierarchy, or its governmental system. “They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.” (Isa. 30:10) “But they do not consider in their hearts (minds) That I remember [always] all their wickedness. Now their deeds surround and entangle them; They are before My face. They make the king glad with their wickedness, And the princes with their lies. They are all adulterers; Like the heat of an oven. When the baker ceases to stir the fire, [their passion smolders] From the kneading of the dough until it is leavened. On the [special] day of our king, the princes became sick with the heat of wine; The king stretched out his hand [in association] with scoffers (lawless people). As they approach their plotting, their mind burns [with intrigue] like an oven [while they lie in wait]. Their anger smolders all night, in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire…Though the pride of Israel testifies against him, yet they do not return [in repentance] to the Lord their God, nor seek nor search for nor desire Him [as essential] in spite of all this.” (Hosea 7:2-6,10 AMP) 

Second, the message of impending doom needed to be preached, for God knew His appointed times and He desired for them to repent and turn back to Him. God in His unimaginable patience has His limits set by His holy righteousness and justice. And if Micah and the others didn’t herald God's message, then the “Reproaches will not be turned back. (AMP)” And as Hosea proclaimed as well, “Though the pride of Israel testifies against him, Yet they do not return [in repentance] to the Lord their God, Nor seek nor search for nor desire Him [as essential] in spite of all this.” (Hosea 7:10 (AMP)

Third, many of the words of the ungodly sound like the wretched words of Satan in the garden, “Did God really say…” They questioned God’s Word, righteousness and integrity, “God is not going to disgrace us. Do you think the people of Israel are under a curse? Has the Lord lost his patience? Would he really do such things? Doesn't he speak kindly to those who do right?” (GNT)

Micah came to speak the Word of the Lord to those who had profaned God’s name and violated and trespassed His commandments and laws, as they outrightly degraded Him by their questioning of His Word.

Application - I am amazed at God’s patience with people. The kings of old in Israel reigned for several years in debauchery and leading the country in sinning. Example, Ahab had reigned in Israel for twenty-two years, and the scriptures said about him, "And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him.” (1 Kings 17:30) or king Manasseh led Judah 55 Years! “And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.” (2 Kings 21:2) 

And in the world, today’s ungodly syncretism is rampant with sin that provokes God to anger and wrath, but God is restaining his judgment and patiently waits for His creation to turn to Him in repentance to Him. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Pet. 3:9) For both king Ahab and Manasseh both humbled themselves at the end of their lives (1 Kings 21:29; 2 Chr. 33:12-13), but not before leading their countries into unspeakable sin and trespass against God.

Yet there will be a day of judgment, and I believe it will begin with the believers as the word of God says. “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pet. 4:17)

The Word of God has been pampered, softened and altered by the world’s desires to not hear anything that will address sin. Oops I said the Word! They have, like Satan, twisted the scripture. And like the people in Micah’s and Isaiah’s days, they wanted to hear a message of congeniality, a word that is agreeable to their palate and lifestyle. And convinced themselves that God isn’t angry, He is loving and His grace covers all our sinful self-righteousness and living. “Don't preach at us. Don't preach about all that. God is not going to disgrace us. Do you think the people of Israel are under a curse? Has the Lord lost his patience? Would he really do such things? Doesn't he speak kindly to those who do right?”

As Winston Churchill stated, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Last, Micah heard from the people, especially the false prophets and the self-righteous offenders and God responded. So let’s read the last portion of the text. “The Lord replies, “You attack my people like enemies. Men return from battle, thinking they are safe at home, but there you are, waiting to steal the coats off their backs. You drive the women of my people out of the homes they love, and you have robbed their children of my blessings forever.  Get up and go; there is no safety here any more. Your sins have doomed this place to destruction. “These people want the kind of prophet who goes around full of lies and deceit and says, ‘I prophesy that wine and liquor will flow for you.’” (GNT)

MIcah responded with the prophetic words from the Lord to the questioning of God’s Word and integrity. It seems that the false prophets were overtly ignorant of their own spiritual state of blindness and the inherent characteristics and qualities of God, namely His patience and justness. He replies with a scaving rebuke. “You attack my people like enemies.” The false prophets forget that the land is the Lord’s and it is He who allotted it to the people as their inheritance. God likens the thievery of the land and people as robbing the soldier and his family after he returns home from a valiant battle, to find that his home and possessions have been taken and His family kicked out and robbed of their blessed inheritance. God’s response was decisive. He was expelling the syncretists and greedy from the land and deporting them into the hands of the Assryians. The land was now doomed to destruction because of their overt sins and desire for false prophets and their vile lies and deceit. There wouldn’t be any more false claims of security, peace, and safety, or for their desire for unbridled debauchery and the clinging to the words of God’s enemy. “These people want the kind of prophet who goes around full of lies and deceit and says, ‘I prophesy that wine and liquor will flow for you.’” (GNT) Well the good times were nearing an end, and God was about to turn out the lights, the party was over.

Application - Imagine with me a place and people that are in perfect sync, each knowing what to do and kaleidoscoping into a beautiful way of living without any degradation and demeaning of sin. Eden or heaven, take your choice. 

But that isn’t what we have here and now, we are still battling the mindset of selfishness and greed, even to the point of taking from the poor and giving to the rich. Isaiah the prophet wrote, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” (Isa. 5:20)

For that clearly describes our days. But God isn’t blind nor does He turn aside from seeing the wretchedness of sinful living. “But they do not consider in their hearts (minds) That I remember [always] all their wickedness. Now their deeds surround and entangle them; They are before My face. (Hosea 7:2-3 AMP) 

I believe that God is near and sees and hears everything that is happening, and His displeasure will turn to anger, judgment and wrath one day, just as it did in the times of Micah (732-722 BC) For we still hear the shouted desires of the people for their right to live as they see fit, and wanting leadership, both political and spiritual, that caters and panders to their whims. Just like Micah’s words, “These people want the kind of prophet who goes around full of lies and deceit and says, ‘I prophesy that wine and liquor will flow for you.’” (GNT)

And God's response is “Your sins have doomed this place to destruction.”

Until that time, we still can hold to the anchor of our soul, Jesus Christ. Almost everyday, I recite Col. 3:1-4. It keeps me focused on what is truly real and holy, our blessed hope. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Amen, and Amen

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ for salvation. For Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I have revised my webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. Thank you. http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com