Who is a God like Our God?

Micah 7:18-20 is an amazing passage of Scripture. These 3 verses are packed with precious truth about the glory of our God. There are at least 3 truths about God in this passage:

1. God is a sin-forgiving God.

• God pardons iniquity.
• God passes over transgressions.
• God does not retain His anger forever.
• God will tread our iniquities underfoot.
• God will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

2. God loves to show steadfast love.

• God "delights" in showing covenant mercy.

3. God is relentless in faithfulness.

• God always fulfills His promises.

If you want, you can listen to my Micah sermon series at the church website.

Micah Commentaries

After studying Micah, here are my thoughts on the commentaries:

1. The Best: Bruce Waltke's whopping 500 page commentary on Micah. Wow. This commentary is as in depth on any book of the Bible I've seen. On each passage, he has an "exegesis" section that is very technical and an "exposition" section that is very pastoral. I was very pleased by the countless references to Christ and His church. You can now get the paperback version.

2. The best short commentary: Waltke's Tyndale OT Commentary.

3. The best middle-sized commentary: Prior's Bible Speaks Today Commentary. Very good!

4. Good, but not the best: Gary Smith and Kenneth Barker.

5. Best homiletical commentary: James Boice.

O Little Town of Bethlehem!

Micah 5:2-6 is one of the clearest OT references to the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the sermon Sunday, we meditated on 5 truths about Christ from this passage:

1. Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (filled with significance!).
2. Jesus is divine and eternal.
3. Jesus would bring security and protection like a shepherd.
4. Jesus would be exceedingly great.
5. Jesus would be our peace.

The Gospel According to Micah

The prophet Micah proclaimed the character of God that finds its most clear expression in the Cross of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, God used Micah to declare the truth of the gospel to His sinful people.

Micah is about the holy God of creation who demands punishment for sin and rebellion. Micah is about how God’s people have dishonored God by pursing 10,000 idols. Micah is about how God, in His mercy and love, has provided a way for us to be reconciled to Himself through the promised Messiah. And, Micah is about how the gospel of Jesus Christ transforms us into people who love and obey God and reflect His glorious character to all the world. This is not just the prophecy of Micah; this is the gospel according to Micah.

Throughout the book of Micah God reveals Himself to His people as:

1. The Just Judge. God is angry at His people for this sin. God promises judgment, punishment, and condemnation.

2. The Merciful Shepherd. God promises to gather His remnant, provide for them, forgive them, and rescue them.

In other words, God is very much unlike Santa Claus.