Micah 6:3-5

January 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember what Balak, king of Moab, devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord” (Micah 6:3-5).

We see here a pattern of the Lord reminding His people of His actions on their behalf. The list provided in these verses is only a sampling of God’s great acts on behalf of Israel. 

I wonder how my heart and mind might be influenced by reminding myself of God’s great kindnesses to me. I could include: 1) my non-Christian family didn’t try to stand in the way of my coming to faith. 2) A classmate shared Christ with me. 3) I was given a good Bible education in college and seminary. 4) God gave me a godly wife. I could go on for a long time listing God’s kindness. 

Thank you, Father, for being so generous to me. Please help me remember these things better. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, encouragement, Micah, Old Testament

Micah 5:2

January 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).

That’s the best news in the book! From Bethlehem near Jerusalem, and from the tribe of Judah, will come a ruler in Israel! He shall come forth from eternity, from the ancient days. 

This description should draw our attention to Daniel’s use of similar language. Particularly, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬)

The Ancient of Days is a reference to God (Father). So, God sent one – like a son of man – who had been given an eternal kingdom. 

Combining Micah and Daniel, we should be on the lookout for this special one to come forth at Bethlehem near Jerusalem. Since we didn’t see that occur in the OT, we should look in the NT to see if it happened there. 

John 1:1 might be helpful because John mentions one who was in the beginning. His name is Jesus. But while John connects Jesus to eternity, John doesn’t tell us where this eternal one – Jesus – came into flesh. We need to keep looking. 

Luke 1:31-33 is helpful as it records the angel Gabriel’s words to a virgin named Mary. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬-‭33‬).

Note what Gabriel says about this child: 

1) He will be called the Son of the Most High, which is a reference to Daniel’s Ancient of Days (also mentioned in Micah). 

2) He will receive the throne of David. This reflects the eternal kingdom language of Daniel. However, was David’s throne eternal? According to 2 Samuel 7:16, yes! “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬)

All of that is great, but Micah says this special one will come forth from Bethlehem! If we keep reading Luke, we find the Bethlehem we are looking for.

“This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth” (Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭6‬).

Wow! Micah 5:2 connects directly to Luke 2, but gets there by way of 2 Samuel 7 and Daniel 7.

Father, please help my heart to hunger for your word. Help me to mine for the treasure that lies within. Amen. 

Filed Under: 2 Samuel, Christmas, Daniel, devotional thoughts, Gospels, Life of Christ, Micah, Nativity, New Testament, Old Testament

Micah 4:1-2

January 22, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:1-2).

Once again, God provides a word of hope in the midst of rebuking the wicked. Today, there remains the hope of righteousness for Israel. I believe they have been brought back to their promised land, and I am praying daily for the spiritual renewal component of God’s promise. 

Going up to the house of the Lord is a fairly common theme in the Psalms, but also in the prophets. 

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!'” (Psalm‬ ‭122‬:‭1‬)

“And many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬).

“The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going’” (Zechariah‬ ‭8‬:‭21‬).

All of these references are before the destruction of the temple. But fervor for the house of the Lord is still there upon their return from captivity in Babylon. 

Father, please bring about the spiritual restoration of Israel. Please give strength, courage, and clarity of message to the believers in Israel today. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Isaiah, Jerusalem, Micah, Old Testament, Prophecy, Psalms, Temple Mount, Zechariah

Micah 3:5-6

January 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry ‘Peace’ when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths. Therefore, it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them” (Micah 3:5-6).

In this chapter, the Lord rebukes the political and religious leaders. Beginning in verse 5, the focus moves to the religious leaders, the prophets. Notice that the prophets lead the people astray. When the people feed them, they are peaceful. But they declare war on whoever does not give them food. 

This suggests these prophets are about the profits, not about the Lord. For such prophets, the Lord promises to stop giving them visions. 

Micah separates himself from these wicked prophets, declaring, “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin” (8).

I want to be like Micah and not the wicked prophets. 

Father, please help me to keep a close watch on my motives. Please fill me with the power of your spirit. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Micah, Old Testament, Prophecy

Micah 2:1-2, 12

January 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance” (Micah 2:1-2).

“I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men.” (Micah 2:12‬)

This chapter opens with a condemnation of evil doers. This person delights in evil as they lie in bed. His mental wheels spin, devising ways to take the possessions of the weak. As daylight breaks, he acts upon his covetous plans devised in the night, seizing a man’s field, house, and inheritance. 

As is typical of the Lord, in proximity to his rebuke of evil, He offers a word of hope. This chapter is no exception. Here, he promises to gather the remnant (ie, the faithful). In promising to “set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture,” he casts Himself as the good shepherd. 

So, how can I use this today?

First, I can guard my heart to ensure that I’m not devising schemes to cheat others. Second, I’m reminded to be faithful even if it seems like I’m being cheated by others. Third, I can be encouraged because the faithful sheep will be gathered and cared for by the good shepherd. 

I needed this today! Father, please help my heart remain faithful in these days when it feels like I’m losing my business. I need clients, but the big companies are getting their claws into pastors by offering them ways to enrich themselves by fleecing their sheep. Please help me remember that you will provide for my family and me.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, hope, Micah, Old Testament, Prophecy
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