I was reading the prophet Micah this morning. He prophecies about Assyria and Babylon. He tells how the people will be taken away and only the weak will be left behind in an undefended land.
He tells them why God is bringing this judgement and what He will accomplish.
Micah 5:12–14 (NIV84):
I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.
13 I will destroy your carved images
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles.
God wanted their worship and acts of righteousness to be like this:
Micah 6:8 (NIV84):
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Yet, even after this harsh judgement, God will bring His people back into the land.
Micah 7:18 (NIV84):
18 Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
God does show mercy, but He also purifies.
It is incredible to think that after Israel returned from exile from Babylon, they never again had idol worship in their midst. No more Baals or Asherah poles. He purified His people. 2,500 years ago, wow!
I am reminded of Hebrews 12 and how God disciplines the ones He loves.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV84):
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
I want the righteousness and peace.
Thank you Lord for your mercy.
