As we close the fifth
chapter of Micah's prophesy, let us remember where the LORD's
attention was directed as He shared with the “remnant of Jacob”.
The LORD was going to remove all their physical reliances such as
“horses, chariots, fortified cities and strongholds”, and
He was to “cut off” their spiritual trusts such as
“witchcrafts, soothsayers, graven and standing images” so
the people would solely trust in Him. The LORD was also going
to eliminate their “groves” and the “worship cities”
which were built for their idols, and in chapter five and verse
fifteen, the LORD turns His attention toward the “heathen”
as He tells of his “vengeance in anger and fury” which
shall be executed upon them. We read:
And I will execute
vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not
heard.
The
verse begins, “And I will execute vengeance in anger and
fury upon the heathen,” Once
again Micah began this verse with the word “and”
which shows continuance as he wrote, “I will execute”
or “fashion, accomplish, make,
produce and effect” “vengeance”
which means “revenge” “in anger”
which carries the idea of a snarl of the nose or face “and
fury” or “heat, rage, hot
displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, venom, and burning
rage” “upon the heathen”
which refers to “nations of non-Hebrew origin”. If we use our
imaginations we can picture the heated anger in which the snarled
face of the LORD shows as He pours out His revenge upon the nations
who have come against His remnant.
The
verse goes on to say, “such as they have not heard.”
As though to emphasize the level to which the “anger and
fury” of the LORD will be
poured out, Micah added, “such as they”
speaking of the nations opposed to Israel “have not
heard” or “understood or
perceived with concern”. Never before have these “non-Hebrew”
nations experienced the level of revenge the LORD has promised when
He pours out His anger upon them and revenges their opposition to
Israel.
While
we think upon this verse from Micah, it is with great awe and
reverence that we should approach it. Those who come against Israel
will face the “anger and fury” of
the LORD. Though for a time those who are non-Hebrews may believe
they are escaping the wrath of God, this verse promises they will not
go unpunished. It is imperative that we not align ourselves as
Israel's foes, for if we do, we too will face the “snarl” of the
Almighty. May the LORD God be merciful toward us, “shine” His
face upon us, and remind us how we should be toward Israel by the
grace of His Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Next
time we begin a new chapter and see how Micah speaks to the “hills”
and “mountains”,
so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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