Thursday, August 13, 2015

The Indignation of the LORD Micah 7:9


Micah the prophet looked to and waited for the LORD to hear him because he knew everyone else was not worthy of trust. He instructed his enemy not to rejoice against him because when he fell, he would arise, and when he sat in darkness, “the LORD shall be a light unto” him. In chapter seven and verse nine of his prophesy, Micah wrote of “the indignation of the LORD” and how the LORD would deliver him where we read:

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

The verse begins, “I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned” As a self-inditement, Micah declared, “I will bear” which means “carry or take” “the indignation” or “anger, rage, raging or storming” “of the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah”. Micah continued with the reason for the LORD's indignation, “because I have sinned” which means “to miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit and purify from uncleanness”. Micah was willing to endure the stormy anger of the LORD against his sin because he knew he had behaved in a manner that was against the LORD's ways.

The verse goes on to say, “against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me:” Micah knew the LORD was the one against whom he sinned as he declared, “against him, until he plead” or “strive, contend, conduct a case or suit or quarrel” “my cause” or “strife, controversy or dispute”. Micah contended that if his controversy was brought before the LORD, the LORD would be his advocate “and execute” or “fashion, accomplish, make or produce” “judgment for me” which means “justice, right, ordinance and rectitude” for him. Though Micah would have to endure the “indignation” of the LORD for some time, when his cause was brought before Him, the LORD would produce justice in his life.

Finally the verse says, “he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” Micah went on to say, “he will bring me forth” which means “exit, depart or proceed forward” “to the light” or “the light of day, illumination or day-break”. He adds, “and I shall behold” which means “to see, look at, inspect, perceive and consider” “his righteousness” or “justice, truthfulness and salvation”. The result of the LORD pleading Micah's cause would be illumination and truthfulness which would be salvation to him from the storm.

As we ponder Micah's words, perhaps we are in a sense enduring the “indignation” of the LORD for our sins. Perhaps a “storm” has come into our lives because of our contrary ways to the LORD, and now we must bear the consequences for our actions. We may have hope in this, no matter how far we have strayed from the LORD, He is ever willing to intercede on our behalf to bring us “to the light” that we may “behold his righteousness”. This is why Jesus Christ came. He desired to bring all people into a relationship with Him and was willing to be the “advocate” for everyone who will put their trust in, rely upon and cling to Him. Though the “indignation” of the LORD may come upon us for our sins, when we turn to Him in repentance, He is there to intercede on our behalf. If we are enduring a storm today, let us yield ourselves to the only one who can illuminate our lives with truth and lead us to His righteousness - Jesus Christ.

Next time Micah writes concerning his enemy seeing his righteousness, 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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