A New Day Dawning
Opening Prayer
As you come to God and his Word today, begin by praying the Lord’s Prayer, slowly and thoughtfully.
Read Micah 4:1-13
[1] In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. [2] Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [3] He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. [4] Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken. [5] All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. [6] “In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. [7] I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. [8] As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.” [9] Why do you now cry aloud- have you no king? Has your ruler perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor? [10] Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies. [11] But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!” [12] But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. [13] “Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How would you expect them to react to this passage?The contrast between the close of Micah 3 and the start of ch. 4 could not be greater. Zion, the hill in Jerusalem with the temple on top, was razed to the ground in fulfillment of 3:12. It will one day “be raised above the other hills” (1). All nations will be drawn to it; it will be a beacon of justice and peace. The exiles will return and a new king will rule over a rescued remnant (6,7). From Zion the knowledge of God will flow to all nations. But all this is in “the last days.” For now, Judah remains under threat (11), and Babylon will soon carry her into exile. God’s mercy would be extended, but not forever. We might ask what is meant by “the last days.” Parts of Micah’s message of hope were fulfilled in earthly history, first when Judah returned from exile (see v. 10) and more gloriously with the arrival of King Jesus. Other aspects will have their fulfillment only beyond history, at Christ’s second coming. The point in this: God’s plans (12) are far greater than we ever imagine.
Apply
“Your Kingdom come.” Has your understanding of this prayer changed as you have read Micah? If so, how?
Closing prayer
Lord, I’m grateful that You are in control of history. May Your Kingdom come on earth. I trust in that.
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