Title: The Life Direction of God's People
The direction of life of God's people
Micah 4:1-13
New Jerusalem
On the destroyed Jerusalem (3:12), God will build a new Jerusalem. This happens in the 'last days'. When does the last days refer to when? Are you referring to the last days of the world when all the earth and the sky are curled up like paper axes? Not like that. Hebrews 1:2 says: "In the last days of all these days he has spoken to us as a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made all the worlds". The last days that Micah proclaims are the days when Jesus Christ came and fully revealed God after all the temporary models of God's revelation had disappeared.
It was the king's presence and at the same time the coming of the kingdom of God. The King Jesus came among us and established the kingdom of God and changed the direction of the people's flow toward it. Until now, the procession of people was drawn by the power of the world (Jeremiah 51:44), but since the coming of Christ, the nations have flowed from every corner of the earth toward Christ, the head of the church.
What led to the change in the flow? It is because of the words of Jesus Christ proclaimed in the kingdom of God (v. 2). The Word goes beyond teaching and is the foundation of world order. Just as the word of God was proclaimed, and light was created, the firmament was divided, and living creatures multiplied on the earth, so the word taught from the kingdom of God revives the sick souls of all people into a new creation, and those who are restored in that way are unlike Adam, who was far from Eden It is to turn toward God, to come closer to God, to be governed by the Word, and to walk in that path.
When all peoples walk in the name of their god, those who become God's new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) will walk forever in the name of the Lord (verse 5). The word 'in the name of the Lord' means 'in the name of the Lord' in Hebrew. The name Jehovah was the name revealed to the people of Israel when the covenant was made. What a lovely name of God. The phrase 'walking in the name of the Lord' means that those who have forgotten, ignored, and purposely escaped from the covenant, now love God with all their heart, obey God, and boil His Word as the principle of their life in the promise of the lovely Jehovah. It means to restore life to the original created form of God. It's not a one-time effort, it's done forever.
The king's proclamation has the power to change the flow of life like this. Those who are governed by the Word no longer contend with God (verse 3). By beating all swords into plowshares and spears to make sickles, we bow down at His feet and offer things that have previously resisted God as instruments of obedience and service to God. The antagonism, envy, and strife between people will all disappear, and they will be transformed into servant stewards.
God's people no longer have greed, are satisfied with the inheritance they have been given, live fulfilling their calling, have the courage to not fear the world as they used to, and not be threatened by anyone (v.
The reality is that God's will is in progress.
However, the actual reality seems different from these beautiful promises and expectations. In verses 9 and 11, the word 'now' appears. It tells the current address of the people of Israel. When their eyes are looking for the king, the king seems to be missing, and when they are looking for the wise, they seem to have no counselor or teacher of wisdom. Further, the unbelievers around them secretly hope that God's people will be defiled (v. 11).
But God's people are the ones who know when they are struggling and the joy after childbirth. If you don't have children, both the child and the mother die. God tells us to work hard and have children. This is God's call to the church and God's counsel to each Christian. Churches that do not produce people die, and Christians that do not bear fruit die. But for those who have finished the labor of childbirth, the final spiritual victory and fulfillment are in their hands (v. 13). Even the powers of Hades could never stop such Christian walks.
Recognize that whatever way you live, it is a form of doing the will of Jehovah God. To deny reality is to deny the God who is leading it. Do not take a step in life in God who gives us a new order of life and leads us through the word every day. Outside of God, there are legs, the pain of being cast out, and the threat of tribulation, but in the life of living in God, my legs gain strength and, rather than being chased, smashing the world and witnessing restoration in the tower of God rather than being threatened by tribulation.
* Prayer: Lord, the kingdom of Christ is already in me. That is why my life is guided by the word of the Lord and is not under the protection of the Lord. I strive to produce the fruits of the life that the Lord has given me. For the sake of God's kingdom and righteousness, I will never again waste my precious time in fulfilling my instincts, trying to fill my mouth. Lord, help me not to become discouraged by looking only at 'now', but to look at 'Zion' and be happy. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.