The time period is between 777-717 B.C.E. And the writer is #Micah, a prophet during the reigns of Kings #Jotham, #Ahaz, and #Hezekiah of the ancient nation of #Israel. He was a #contemporary of the #prophets #Hosea and #Isaiah, but for how long was he a prophet? ... One cannot say for sure.
And why do we care?
Because ... Doesn't he sound like many of us today?
Notice how he #laments his day in the following verses of Micah 7:2-6:
"The loyal one has perished from the earth; among men there is no one upright. All of them lie in ambush for bloodshed. Each hunts his own brother with a dragnet. Their hands are expert at doing what is bad; the prince is making demands, the judge asks for a reward, the prominent one makes known his desires, and they work it out together. Their best one is like thorns, their most upright one is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen and of your reckoning will come. Now they will panic. Do not put your faith in your companion or trust a close friend. Guard what you say to the one who lies in your embrace. For a son despises his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, and a daughter-in-law is against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his household."
Do not many feel the same repulsion against #injustices today? And isn't the news also regarding harm done to family members by family members?
And why shouldn't people express the same sentiments?
Notice what is foretold for our day:
"But know this, that in the Last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away." 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
Yes, in Micah's day, he saw conditions in Israel deteriorate spiritually until they were appallingly unbearable under King Ahaz's rulership, as the above stated verses in Micah showed.
He said in verse 4:
Their best one is like a brier, their most upright one is worst than a thorn hedge. . . OUCH!
Just as a brier or a thorn hedge injures anyone walking into it, those corrupt Israelite brought harm to anyone with whom they delt. Even family members. . . Sound familiar?
But like Micah, although our hands may be symbolically tied, we can still pray, pour out our utmost anger or anguish to our heavenly Father, Jehovah.
True...we must wait patiently for Him to act, but be assured that his faithful Son, Jesus Christ, is working things out as we speak, so to speak:-)
Micah had #confidence that Jehovah would settle matters in His own time. And although, like Micah, we have to live among selfish people, be assured... the heavenly calvary is coming!
Let's mimic Micah's attitude:
"But as for me, I will keep on the lookout for Jehovah. I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me."
Is that not the most comforting assurance? And does not that raise the question...What exactly are we waiting for?
Check back here tomorrow. . . If you like :-)
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