Has there ever been anything you have hoped for… Longed for… And finally received? What is that like?
What is something you are currently looking forward to? What obstacles are in the way?
Micah was a prophet to the people of God. He told his people that things were going to get really bad… He described a really terrible future destruction for Jerusalem, and a lengthy captivity in Babylon. Way to go, Micah.. Way to win friends and influence people!
BUT, he also described a hopeful vision of a better future for God’s people…
Unpack the biblical text to discover what the Scripture says or means about a particular topic.
Have a volunteer read Micah 4:1-13.
In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all— the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
Micah 4:1-8 NLT
2 People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
3 The Lord will mediate between peoples
and will settle disputes between strong nations far away.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.
4 Everyone will live in peace and prosperity,
enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees,
for there will be nothing to fear.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has made this promise!
5 Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever.
6 “In that coming day,” says the Lord,
“I will gather together those who are lame, those who have been exiles, and those whom I have filled with grief.
7 Those who are weak will survive as a remnant; those who were exiles will become a strong nation.
Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem
as their king forever.”
8 As for you, Jerusalem,
the citadel of God’s people,
your royal might and power
will come back to you again.
The kingship will be restored
to my precious Jerusalem.
This future promise isn’t just for the Jewish people… It includes us also!
Look at Micah 4:1-2. What time period was Micah describing? Did the exiles’ return to Jerusalem fulfill these prophecies? Why or why not? How will Jesus’ return fulfill the rest?
Jerusalem, the City of God, first had to be destroyed and it’s people exiled to Babylon. Why did this have to happen? What was Israel’s track record?
Why is “the mountain of the Lord’s house” (The Temple Mount) such a big deal? What does this tell us about our future access to God and His wisdom, resources, and power?
Micah describes a time when all wars end, and nobody even trains for war or has any weapons. What could that possibly be like? How would this even be possible?
How can Christians know they are on God’s paths? How can Christians know they are straying from God’s paths?
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 NLT
Many philosophers, writers, and religious figures have imagined utopia here on earth. But paradise can be regained only when Jesus Christ transforms the world and reverses the curse. All who put their faith in Him will share in the perfect future kingdom of God. This promise enables Christians to live with confidence and assurance in today’s uncertain world.
What steps can you take to be more aware of all that Christ has done (and is doing) for you in working all things for your good? How can we encourage each other in this area?
What is one circumstance in your life in which you are longing for Jesus to overcome? What would it look like for you to hope in Him as you confront that situation?