Micah 7:1-20

Micah speaks a message from God to all the nations

Micah

Les Painter

Chapter 7

In this chapter, Micah continues to describe the situation in Jerusalem. But in his vision (dream), Micah seems to see even further into the future. He writes about a time when people become even more evil. In fact, it seems that nobody good remains. Everyone is a thief and a murderer. And God is ready to punish them all.

This *prophecy might refer to the time when the army from Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. People had become very wicked then. They could not avoid God’s punishment for their evil deeds.

But the *prophecy may refer to an even later time. Jesus said that people would become very evil in the future. And he referred to this chapter when he explained this (Matthew 10:35-39; Luke 12:53).

The Bible describes a terrible time which will happen before Jesus’ return. Jesus spoke about that time in Mark chapter 13. And in Mark 13:12, Jesus seemed to refer to Micah 7:5-6. But that terrible time will not last for a long time. God will act (Revelation 19:11-21). He will punish wicked people and their ruler (that is, the devil). And then God will rule as king.

Micah saw also what would happen after the time of punishment. He saw that God would rule his people in the end. Then people would rebuild Jerusalem. But it would not be like the old Jerusalem. The government would be fair. The nations would give honour to God. And the people would be grateful because God is so kind.

Micah has warned us about many things. But in the end, his book is not a sad book. It finishes with a song about success.

7:1-7 Jerusalem’s social structures will break apart

v1 I am very sad. I am like those that gather late fruit. I am like people that pick grapes (fruit that people use to make wine). They are looking for grapes after the main harvest. But no grapes remain to eat. There are no early figs (sweet fruit), which I love.