Hopewell ARP Church is a Biblical, Reformed, Presbyterian church, serving the Lord in Culleoka, TN, since 1820. Lord's Day Morning, set your gps to arrive by 11a.m. at 3886 Hopewell Road, Culleoka, TN 38451
Read Micah 4:1–5
Questions from the Scripture text: When will the following come to pass (v1a)? How is YHWH’s house described in v1b? Where/how will it be established (v1c–d)? What will happen then (v1e)? Who will come, doing what (v2a)? What will they say (v2b)? To where, specifically, will they come (v2c)? For Him to do what (v2d)? So that they can do what (v2e)? What will go out of Zion/Jerusalem at that time (v2f–g)? What will He do for whom (v3a)? And what will He do to whom else (v3b)? With what results among the nations (v3c–f)? Who will be able to do what (v4a)? What will not be done to them (v4b)? How sure is this (v4c)? What are people currently doing (v5a)? But what will YHWH’s true people do (v5b)? For how long (v5c)?
What does the future hold for devastated Zion? Micah 4:1–5 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the future of God’s church is guaranteed by God’s grace.
This little passage assures us of many wonderful impossibilities. Because of the Israelites themselves, Zion/Jerusalem was soon to be plowed to the ground (cf. 3:12). But at the end of the days, because of YHWH, Zion/Jerusalem would be made to stand—and not just stand, but above all other mountains/powers. This is the wonderful logic of God’s grace; precisely in the face of what is happening with this generation, He affirms the glorious good that He will surely bring to pass at last and forever.
The peoples in v1 are described as a stream. But there is something impossible about this stream. It flows uphill! Both with respect to individual grace, and with respect to the missionary spread of the kingdom, this is a wonderful picture of God’s accomplishing the impossible. Water doesn’t flow uphill. Gentiles don’t stream into Zion. Sinners don’t come to God for Himself and His Word. But what is impossible with men is possible with God!
These people from many nations will exhibit resolve (“Come, and let us go up,” v2b), relish (a hunger/ desire for His Word, v2d), and repentance (living according to that Word, v2e). How will this happen? How will it come to be that they come to Zion for the Word? The Word itself accomplishes this work by first going out from Zion. “For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the Word of YHWH from Jerusalem,” (v2f–g).
Ultimately whatever peoples are not participating in this revival will be eliminated. For the earth at the end of the days will be such a safe place that there will be no need for weapons or even military training (v3). This isn’t just a general blessedness, but each and every individual will enjoy his part in the blessedness (4a).
In an age of wickedness and certain, dreadful, imminent judgment, how can they dare to hope that this will be the case? Indeed, not only can they dare to hope, but they must be completely assured, for the mouth of YHWH of hosts as spoken this (v4c)!
Now, what are you to do, in light of this glorious end, if you are living in an age of wickedness and judgment? Opt out of living in the manner of your age! Micah observes the nearly universal, wayward idolatry of the people of his day (v5a). Then, in v5b, he speaks not only for himself but others: “but we.” The implication is that the word of YHWH is going to be used to produce others like him, others who will walk in the name of YHWH their God. And those who do so now, by grace, will do so forever (v5c)!
Behold the wonderful, impossible grace of God that recovers sinners and gathers a glorious church from all the nations, and brings them into a secure, godly blessedness forever!
Why don’t you have to despair in an age of unfaithfulness of the church? What should you do in such an age?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us, for if what came of the church depended upon us, surely it would be utterly destroyed. But, You gorify Your almighty grace by granting repentance to a remnant. Make us to be that remnant who love to come to You, be taught by You, and walk in Your paths. Give us peace and faithfulness, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the LORD” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
Read Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
Questions from the Scripture text: With what did Solomon decide to test his heart (v1)? With what conclusion? What did he think of laughter and mirth (v2)? With what other things does he try to satisfy himself (v3)? Trying to figure out what? What building projects did he attempt (v4–6)? What possessions did he acquire (v7–8)? How does he assess his efforts in v9? What is his poetic summary of what he did (v10)? And what was his poetic analysis of it all (v11)? What did he try next (v12a)? What was the problem with trying new things (v12b–c)? But what was decidedly better (v13)? Why (v14a–b)? But what ultimately neutralizes this advantage (v14c–d)? What, then, does Solomon tell himself (v15)? What even happens to both after death (v16)? How does this affect Solomon (v17)? What does he conclude about his labor (v18a)? Why, what must he do with it all (v18b)? And what might be the case with the successor (v19)? How does he summarize this in broader application (v20–23)? But what is actually good (v24a)? Why (v24b)? What question does v25 ask? What answer does v26 give? To whom does God give this knowledge and joy? What does He give to the sinner?
What is the point of life? Ecclesiastes 2 looks forward to the hearing of Scripture, publicly read, in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the point of life is to receive it as from God, and to live it as for God.
Solomon tried joy (v1–3), not merely pleasure, but the best pleasures, tempered with wisdom (v3). Solomon tried productivity (v4–6). Solomon tried possessions (v7–8). And he did this better than anyone else had done (v9a); he even specifies that all of this was done in a wise manner (v9b).
But when the joy of the labor was the reward for his labor (v10), he concluded that this too was as fleeting as vapor and wind, without lasting benefit, because it was under the sun (v11).
So, if joy in all of these good things could not suffice as an end in itself, what about wisdom. Could wisdom be the purpose and profit of things (v12a)? After all, joy in accomplishments would never be ultimately unique (v12b–c). And while it was true that wisdom enabled one to live with eyes wide open (v13–14b), yet even wisdom was subject to the great equalizers.
Death is a great equalizer (v14c–d), equally occurring unto the wise and to the fool (v15a–d). So, under the sun, even wisdom is as fleeting as vapor (v15e–f).
Lack of remembrance is a great equalizer. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away (v16c–d); they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day (v16b). This forgetting happens to the wise and to the fool alike (v16a).
Successors are a great equalizer. All of man’s labor must be left to those who come after (v18), but there is no way to ensure the wisdom of that man (v19a), so that whatever is left to the succeeding generation is as fleeting as a vapor (v19b). So long as all of this is done merely under the sun, there is no amount or quality of labor or success that will keep it from being s fleeing as vapor (v20–23).
Is the answer despair? Absolutely not! The answer is conscientiously to receive all good—and, additionally, the enjoyment itself of that good—as actively given by the hand of God (v24)! Only when it is not viewed primarily as our achievement (v25), but rather known as a gift of grace even in the effort itself (v26a) are fruitfulness and enjoyment substantial and lasting! The sinner’s labor is also assigned by God (v26b), so that his godlessness may expose all of his aims and efforts to be as fleeting as vapor (v26c).
Dear reader, you are surrounded by people who say things that have an appearance of wisdom; things like “as long as it gives you joy” and “the point is the journey” and “as long as you do things the right way.” But these only have the appearance of wisdom, and apart from the knowledge of God in Christ, they are neutralized by death, remembrance, and successors, so that they are fleeting as vapor.
God grant unto you, instead, to receive your life, the living of it, the fruitfulness of it, and the enjoyment of it, as so many different gifts directly from His hand—and all for the sake of Christ. Then, there will be nothing better for you than that you should eat and drink, and that your soul should enjoy good from His hand in all your labor!
What are the tasks that God has assigned to you? What is the ability in which you are depending upon Him to sustain you? What is the productivity for which you are depending on Him to produce? How is your heart taking joy in Him and His goodness in each of these good gifts of His? How and why have you been brought into such a wonderful life with Him? How are you responding to that?
Sample prayer: Lord, all of our joys, all of our efforts, and even all of our wisdom are pointless apart from You. Soon, we shall die, be forgotten, and our productivity under the sun eventually squandered by a fool. But You, Lord, give us to enjoy even our daily food and drink and labor. These are gifts from You, and the enjoyment of them an additional gift from You. Now, as we come to worship You, grant that we would only do so as a gift from You. Give us to know the worship as a gift from You, and our ability to do it as a gift from You, and the edifying produce of it as a gift from You, and our joy in all of this as an additional, super-added gift from You in Christ. So, help us to worship You, by Your Spirit, we ask in and through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH222 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Read Revelation 19:1–10
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Revelation 19:1 relate, chronologically, to the fall of harlot Babylon? What does John hear? What is this great multitude saying—what four things do they ascribe to Whom in their praise? What two things have demonstrated his (Revelation 19:2)? What has He done to show this about His judgments? What had the harlot done? And what has He done to her? What do they repeat in Revelation 19:3? What do they say about the harlot? Who do what in Revelation 19:4 (cf. Revelation 4:10, Revelation 5:8)? What do they say? From where does the next voice come (Revelation 19:5)? What does it tell whom to do? Whose voice do we hear in Revelation 19:6? What does it sound like? What is it saying about the Lord? What does it exhort one another to do (Revelation 19:7)? Why—what has come? Who has done what? What will be granted to her (Revelation 19:8)? What is this fine linen? To whom does the one with John now speak (Revelation 19:9)? What does he tell John to do? What is John to write about whom? What does the voice say about what John is writing? How does John respond to the one who says this thing (Revelation 19:10)? But how does this one respond? What does he call himself? Whom does he serve? What do the brethren have? Whom should John worship? Why?
How do we respond to the events of the last day? Revelation 19:1–10 provides a sermon preview. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we respond to the events of the last day with great and universal praise unto God.
We praise God for His truth and righteousness. In His judgments (Revelation 19:2), God has especially shown His truth and righteousness. He has been righteous to the harlot, punishing her corrupting influence (verse 2a). He has been righteous to the saints, avenging them (verse 2b). He has been righteous in the extent of the punishment, it being forever and ever (Revelation 19:3).
We praise God for His great acts in His plan of salvation. The worship of the twenty-four elders and four living creatures, in Revelation 19:4, is the third act of the worship in which they lead all of God’s great assembly. First it was for creation (cf. Revelation 4:10), then it was for redemption (cf. Revelation 5:8), and now it is for consummation (Revelation 19:4). We praise the Lord for His mighty acts. We sing the new song unto the Lord, upon the closing chapter of His plan (cf. Psalm 96, 98). Indeed, it is the Lord Jesus Himself Who now leads this praise from the throne (Revelation 19:5).
We praise God for His almighty love. It is wonderful that the great display of God’s omnipotence (Revelation 19:6) is not the judgment of the harlot but the marriage of the bride to the Lamb (Revelation 19:7). His power has not only delivered her from her guilt, but fitted her for her wedding (end of verse 7). When you grow in grace, dear saint, your righteous acts become part of the fine linen of the bride (Revelation 19:8)! The Lamb has loved an unworthy bride, betrothed her to Himself, and is fitting her for Himself. Here is the greatest display of almighty power and divine love!
We respond by serving the saints. We must announce the blessed invitation to the marriage supper (Revelation 19:9). Even John’s angel guide views himself as servant to those who will inherit salvation (Revelation 19:10, cf. Hebrews 1:14). But we are “fellow servants,” and it should be our desire to be used by God to bring every one of His elect to that wonderful marriage feast!
What is your heart-habit of praise to God for His works? What are you looking forward to on the last day? What is God’s greatest display of his power to you, and how are you responding to it? How does the thought of “clothing the bride” incentivize you unto good works? How are you participating in the service to bring all of the saints to the marriage feast?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for when we feel that justice is being neglected. Grant that we would remember the perfect truth and righteousness of Your judgments, that we will see at the last day. And forgive us for how unmindful we are of the marriage supper of the Lamb. Make us to see His love, and come to His feast, and do those righteous acts that are the fine linen of His bride. Forgive us for not serving more in evangelism and discipleship, and use us, as You gather in all Your elect, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”
Read Revelation 17–18
Questions from the Scripture text: Who comes to talk with John in Revelation 17:1? Whose judgment will he show him? Upon what did she sit? Who did what with her (Revelation 17:2a)? What did she do to whom (verse 2b)? Where did he take John, and whom did he see there (Revelation 17:3)? Upon what was she siting? How was she clothed (Revelation 17:4)? What did she have in her hand? What was written on her forehead (Revelation 17:5)? With what was she drunk (Revelation 17:6)? What impression does she make upon Jon? What does the angel ask (Revelation 17:7)? What will he do to help John? Which beast is this, and who marvel at it (Revelation 17:8, cf. Revelation 13:3–4)? What do the heads of the beast represent her (Revelation 17:9)? What do each of these mountains have (Revelation 17:10)? From what eras? As what does the beast present himself (Revelation 17:11)? What do the horns represent (Revelation 17:12)? How long is each of their reigns? Like whom do they think (Revelation 17:13)? With Whom do they make war (Revelation 17:14)? Who wins? Why? What do he waters from Revelation 17:1 represent (Revelation 17:15)? What do the kings and kingdoms ultimately do to the harlot (Revelation 17:16)? Why (Revelation 17:17)? And who is the mother of this and all harlots (Revelation 17:18, cf. Revelation 17:5)? Whom does John see in Revelation 18:1? What does this angel have? How glorious is he? What does he do in Revelation 18:2? What has happened to Babylon the great? What happened to those who drank her cup (Revelation 18:3, cf. Revelation 17:4)? What does John hear in verse 4? Whom does the voice address? What does it tell them to do? Why (Revelation 18:5)? What will God do to her in this remembrance (Revelation 18:6)? To what extent (Revelation 18:7)? And with what result (Revelation 18:8)? How/why? What will the kings of the earth do at this (Revelation 18:9-10)? Who else will weep (Revelation 18:11)? Why (Revelation 18:11-14)? What, specifically, will they say (Revelation 18:15-16)? What will shock them the most (Revelation 18:17, cf. end of Revelation 18:10)? Who else will mourn her (Revelation 18:17-18)? In what manner (Revelation 18:19)? Most amazed at what? But who will have what other reaction (Revelation 18:20)? Why? Who does what in Revelation 18:21? To demonstrate what? What will now be an irrelevant memory (Revelation 18:22-23)? Why—what was found in her (Revelation 18:24)?
Why do we need to see and hear the greatness of God’s wrath upon worldliness? Revelation 17–18 provides a sermon preview. In these forty-two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we need to be warned about wrath, so that we will come out from among the worldly and be separate.
The wrath of God comes with observation and reaction, both by the world, and by the saints. And, the Lord’s angel summons John to observe this (Revelation 17:1). The “mystery” (knowledge that is revealed from the Scripture, rather than found in the creation) of this “Babylon” is that she is the mother of all harlots (Revelation 17:5), offering luxuries and pleasures apart from God (Revelation 17:4), and receiving the devotion of the kingdoms of the world (Revelation 17:3).
Whether the empire of the 7 mountains/heads (probably Rome, Revelation 17:9-10), subsequent attempts to rule the world by force of power (the beast, and its manifestations, Revelation 17:11), or lesser kingdoms that are more local or short-lived (the ten horns, Revelation 17:12)—they all have one mind, willing to make war with Christ and His church in service of power (Revelation 17:13), and especially the harlot of prosperity and pleasure (Revelation 17:14).
The point of the waters (Revelation 17:1, Revelation 17:15) is that this is an equal opportunity harlot, seducing literally every “civilization” there has ever been. The prostitute woman-city of Babylon is a counterfeit of the woman-city of Zion/Jerusalem. A counterfeit church in which the creature is worshiped, rather than the Creator. And wherever peoples, multitudes, nations, or tongues have been, members of the harlot-church of prosperity and pleasure have been found.
But her days are numbered, and regardless of how prosperous or luxurious their experience has been with her, all who loved her will be shocked at the severity and the intensity of her desolation that comes in “one hour” (Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:17, Revelation 18:19).
We need to see the violence and completeness of the coming destruction of worldliness (Revelation 18:21-23). When the shiny cup of Revelation 17:4 is drunk, it will turn out to be full not only of her filth, but of the wrath that she will drink with all who have accepted it from her (Revelation 18:6). Even after she has slain so many of the prophets and the saints (cf. Revelation 16:6, Revelation 17:6, Revelation 18:24), we are vulnerable to worldliness. So, the angel in Revelation 17:1 shows these things to John, and the voice of the Lord in Revelation 18:4 urges us to come out of the world-church of worldliness.
Dear saint, be warned, and be amazed at the judgment of the harlot. Don’t let worldliness seduce you. Separate yourself from that (Revelation 18:4; cf. Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17). Be one of the called, chosen, faithful ones who are with the Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14). Then, you will be among those who rejoice over her, when God avenges His saints (Revelation 18:20).
Whom do you know that pursues prosperity and pleasure? How are you coming out from among them?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for being so easily tempted by the pursuit of prosperity and pleasure. Please make us remember that this harlot religion will be devastated suddenly and completely. And, make us to come out from among the worldly, and be the called, chosen, and faithful ones of King Jesus, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”
Questions from the Scripture text: What did John see opened where (Revelation 15:5)? Who came out of it (Revelation 15:6)? What did they have? How were they clothed? Who gave them what (Revelation 15:7)? What did the bowls look like? With what were they filled? Whose wrath? With what was the temple filled (Revelation 15:8)? From where did this smoke come? What couldn’t anyone do? Until when? What did John hear from where (Revelation 16:1)? To whom did it speak? What it tell them to do? Where? Who does what in Revelation 16:2? With what result? Upon whom? Who does what in Revelation 16:3? Onto where? What happens to it? And what happens to which creatures? Who does what in Revelation 16:4? On what? With what effect? Whom does John hear in Revelation 16:5a? To Whom are they speaking (verse 5b)? What do they call Him (verse 5c)? For what are they praising (verse 5d)? What have those whom He judged done (Revelation 16:6a)? And what has the Lord done to them (verse 6b)? Why (verse 6c)? What does John hear in Revelation 16:7? From where? To Whom is it speaking? What does it say about Him? Who does what in Revelation 16:8? Upon what? What was given to him? With what result (Revelation 16:9)? What do these men do? Why? What do they not do? Who does what in Revelation 16:10? Upon what? What happens to his kingdom? Who do what, and why? What do they do to Whom (Revelation 16:11)? Because of what? What did they not do? Who poured out what in Revelation 16:12? On what? With what result? So that who could do what? What does John see in Revelation 16:13? Coming out of which three mouths? What are these spirits (Revelation 16:14)? What are they able to do? Who now speaks in Revelation 16:15? What does He say that He is doing? As what? Whom does He say is blessed—what two things must they do? Lest what happens? To what place do the kings gather (Revelation 16:16, cf. Judges 5:19)? Who pours out what in Revelation 16:17? Onto what? What comes from where? What does it say? What four things occur in Revelation 16:18? How big is the earthquake? How does Revelation 16:19 refer to the world coalition? What happens to this city? What does verse 19 call the city? What is being done to her? What happens in Revelation 16:20? What falls from where upon whom (Revelation 16:21)? How large? What do men do in response?
What do we learn from the bowls of wrath? Revelation 15:5–16:21 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should admire God for His wrath, hating and repenting of sin, and running to Christ in thankful love.
In this passage, we have the wrath of God poured out on the earth (Revelation 16:2), the sea (Revelation 16:3), the rivers (Revelation 16:4), the sun (Revelation 16:8), the worldly kingdom (Revelation 16:10), the Euphrates (Revelation 16:12), and the air (Revelation 16:17). In these seven bowls, the wrath of God is completed.
We are reminded throughout the passage that the wrath of God has broken into history multiple times. There are obvious references to the plagues of Egypt, which were forerunners of the wrath to come. Just as the Song of Moses became the Song of the Lamb in Revelation 15:3–4, NKJ’s “Armageddon” in Revelation 16:16, is actually “Megiddo” (in the Greek NT throughout the ages), a reference to Judges 5:19–20, and heaven’s victory over the kings of Canaan.
In our passage, the time has come for the wrath that had sounded warnings into history to express itself fully and forever. Revelation 15:8 refers us back to 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10 which calls this the day when, “These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe.” Now Revelation 15:8 says “the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power.”
The great theme of this passage is the glory of God in His wrath. He is indeed, “glorified in His saints and admired among all those who believe.” We hear the angel in Revelation 16:5–6 say, “You are righteous, O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.” And the other angel say, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.” They are dressed in brilliant white and gold, and the bowls from which the wrath is poured are gold. The passage screams the glory, justness, truth, and holiness of God’s wrath.
This challenges us, because we are so easily offended at God’s wrath. But this comes entirely from our flesh. We must be wary of responding to His wrath with anything but worship. Its justness is displayed, in part, precisely by the responses of the judged. They blaspheme Him for the plagues and do not repent or give Him glory (Revelation 15:9). Hey blaspheme Him for their sores, and do not repent of their deeds (Revelation 15:11). They blaspheme God for the plague in Revelation 16:21. They do not respond to the wrath of God with repentance but with more rebellion! Truly, His wrath is just. And it is proportional to their sin (Revelation 16:6). Like Babel of old, they are only too glad to be deceived by evil spirits into gathering against God and His Christ (Revelation 16:12-14, Revelation 16:19). But, this comes as a pouring out of God’s wrath (Revelation 16:12), Who rules over it, and the Lord Jesus Who comes as a thief (Revelation 16:15).
The Lord Jesus Himself applies all of this to us, urging us to watch and keep our garments (verse 15). The believer must remember the greatness of God’s wrath against sin and be watchful against it in ourselves.
So, we must glorify God for His wrath; we must take comfort that all sin will be justly repaid; we must repent we must watch against our wrath deserving sin; and, we may add one more application: marvel at what Christ has endured for our sakes. God made Him Who knew no sin to be sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Jesus bore the full enmity of God against all the sins of all His people. The display of the severity of that enmity in this chapter should bring us to the feet of Jesus in thankfulness and love.
What do you think and feel about God’s wrath? How can that be brought more into line with the responses of the holy ones in this passage? What sins of yours do you find yourself tolerating too much? How can this passage help you against that? What has the Lord Jesus suffered for you? How will you respond to Him in your life?
Sample prayer: Lord, Your wrath is righteous and holy. Forgive us for how we have bristled against it in our hearts, and even been embarrassed of it before men. Often, You have justly chastened us, but we have responded against Your wrath instead of against our sin. Forgive us for our slowness to repent. And forgive us for how we are not mindful of Your coming, or of how our lives will appear in light of Your coming. Finally, forgive us for not being more affected in our hearts by Christ having suffered the wrath of God in our place. Grant that we would remember what He has done and respond with lives of thankfulness and love, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP149B “O Praise the Lord, O Sing Aloud” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”
Read Micah 3:9–12
Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Micah 3:9a–c now address? What do they do (verse 9d–e)? What do they think they are doing (Micah 3:10)? But by what method are they building up Zion/Jerusalem? What motivates her judges (Micah 3:11a)? What motivates her priests (verse 11b)? What motivates her prophets (verse 11c)? Yet, what do they think they are doing (verse 11d)? And in what do they think they re hoping (verse 11e)? Thus, what are they presuming is the outcome (verse 11f)? Therefore, who is to blame for what is about to happen (Micah 3:12a)? And what is about to happen to the city (verse 12b–c)? And to what structure in particular (verse 12d–e)?
What did Micah have power to declare to Israel? Micah 3:9–12 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Micah had power to declare to Israel that their service of the Lord was really just service of themselves, and that God would destroy the very church they thought they were building.
Upon condemning the unfaithful prophets of his day, Micah declared that he was full of power by the Spirit of YHWH to declare to Israel his sin. And that is exactly what he is doing in this passage.
The frightening thing about this passage is that the people it is condemning thought they were serving the Lord (Micah 3:10), depending upon the Lord (Micah 3:11e), and hoping in the Lord (verse 11f). Truly, we are so blind to the condition of our own hearts that we need the Spirit to wield His powerful Word to expose the thoughts and intentions of our heart (cf. Hebrews 4:12–13; Jeremiah 17:9–10).
The problem with those who thought they were doing the Lord’s work in Micah 3:10 is that they were willing to sin in order to get it done (verse 10b). How many, in ministry, are willing to employ a little lying, a little stealing, a little Sabbath breaking, a little disregard of others’ value, etc., in order to advance the work! But they build up Jerusalem with iniquity.
One of the easiest ways to diagnose a Micah-3-mindset is by the love of money. The civil magistrates (Micah 3:11a), priests (verse 11b), and prophets (verse 11c) were all guilty of “serving” for the paycheck. If something else is primary, then you are treating the Lord and His service as a means to your end.
But such service does not build up that part of the Lord’s church in which He has placed you. In fact, the very Zion and Jerusalem they thought they were building up (Micah 3:10) were about to be destroyed precisely because of them (Micah 3:12a–c). Even worse, the Lord’s own temple would be desolated on account of them (verse 12d–e, cf. Romans 2:24). For those who are thinking straight, there is no worse consequence to our actions.
In what areas have you been called to serve the Lord? What wrong ways of accomplishing it are a danger to you? What wrong motivations threaten to make your service sinful?
Sample prayer: Lord, please forgive us for how we have been self-deceived into thinking we were serving well, when we were really just serving ourselves. Thank You for Christ, Who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. For His sake, forgive us, and make us to be like unto Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP29 “You Sons of the Gods” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”