Title: Two Faces of a Leader on February 26
Key Words One who will rule over Israel, ancient times, eternity, deliverance, warhorse, annihilation
Make a Thematic List Who Will Rule Israel
Verse 2: Those who will be born in Ephrathah, Bethlehem/ Those whose origins are ancient and everlasting
Verse 3: One to be born of a woman
Verse 4: Those who stand in the power of the LORD and the majesty of the name of the LORD his God;
Verse 5: One who will be of peace / One who will be attacked by the seven shepherds and the eight princes
Verse 6: One who will deliver Israel from the Gentiles.
Verse 9: The one who will lift up his hand over the enemy and destroy all his enemies.
Tip 1. In that day I will cut off your horses from your midst (v. 10): In Old Testament times, horses were a symbol of mighty military power, so the Law forbade the king to have many horses in order to depend on God alone. (De 17:16). In other words, owning a lot of horses means distrust of God. A leader who demands sacrifice by meditation on the Word
The Prophet Micah greatly deplores the fact that the religious leaders had contradictory beliefs, relying on the Lord and certain of God's presence while offering sacrifices and preaching for greed and power. All the leaders of the world are beings who enjoy power based on the toil and suffering of the people. In order for Solomon to enjoy wealth and power, the hard labors of the people were necessary. In this way, all the wealth and power in the world, even good ones, are based on the sacrifice and hard work of the people.
a sacrificial leader
But on the contrary, there is a man who shed his own blood to enrich the lives of the people. The text says that ‘the one who will rule over Israel’ will punish the oppressors and lead the people of Israel to peace, but we know well what sacrifice he made to give us that peace through the Gospels. The cross of Christ, this has restored our lost inheritance and has given us free peace and eternal life.
Observe the text of the help question
1. Who will be the ‘ruler over Israel’ prophesied through the prophet Micah? (See thematic list.)
2. What should a true leader look like? (Verse 4)
deep contemplation
1. Do you have true service, sacrificing for the community?