Our church recently walked through the book of Micah together on Wednesday nights. If your church has never done a verse by verse study through a book of the Bible, I highly recommend it. 

Because of this recent venture through the book of Micah, it has been on my mind and heart lately. Now I don’t know about you, but I have read through this book (as with the other minor prophets) a few different times. I can confidently say that I never truly understood what was going on. Most of the time when I try to comprehend the prophetic books of the Old Testament it feels like my brain is that teacher from Charlie Brown- “womp, womp, womp.” I mean there are a few verses that I have highlighted and think are super profound if taken out of context, because I clearly don’t understand the context around them. But is that how we should understand God’s Word? “Blah, blah, blah, PROFOUND, blah, blah, blah, blah, PROFOUND, blah, blah.” Absolutely not. Let this be a reminder to you that God’s Word is important and deserves our attention and comprehension. And, I promise, we are going to get to answer the title of today’s post- Is sin really THAT big of a deal?

Short Background

The author of this book is Micah, who was a prophet during around 735-701 BC. Keep in mind, this is during the time of the divided kingdom, but right before either kingdom was conquered. Also note while reading the book of Micah that sometimes Micah refers to the kingdoms by their capitals. When he speaks of the northern kingdom of Israel, he may call it Samaria. When speaking of the southern kingdom of Judah, he may call it Jerusalem, which is also very close to where Micah lived. 

Now, your challenge today as we finish this post is to either read through the entire book of Micah on your own OR have it read to you. There are many ways to listen to Scripture through different apps or websites, so no excuses. This should take you less than 20 minutes to do.

One thing about the prophetic books of the Bible is that they use a variety of figurative language. Micah in particular uses a lot of hyperbole. (Maybe you learned about this back in high school, but in case you forgot- hyperbole is extreme exaggeration. An example of hyperbole is when we say “I have a million things to do today.”)

God is all knowing and all seeing.

So let’s jump into Micah chapter one!

Listen, all you peoples;
pay attention, earth and everyone in it!
The Lord God will be a witness against you,
the Lord, from his holy temple. Micah 1:2 CSB

This book begins very clearly with Micah warning the people that God is not deaf or blind. He is basically yelling and waving his arms to get the attention of all of the people. Saying that God will be a witness against them is saying that God has seen and heard all of the sin that has taken place. Micah tells the people that God is coming to judge them because of their wickedness. My favorite is that Micah explains to the people why (because you know sometimes we can be super hard headed and dull) in verse 5. 

The rest of chapter one of Micah is somewhat glum and doom with Micah describing the destruction that will come as a result of Israel’s sin.

We must not ignore our sin, but take it seriously. 

Much of the next two chapters include Micah continuing to warn of upcoming destruction due to the people’s sin. 

Woe to those who dream up wickedness
and prepare evil plans on their beds!
At morning light they accomplish it
because the power is in their hands. Micah 2:1

The people are so wicked that they spend their final moments of the day dreaming and plotting evil to accomplish the next morning. The sad thing is that they are doing evil to their own brothers and sisters, to their own people, as it says in verse 2. 

But I love how God says in verse 3 “Then you will not walk so proudly.” The people may be proudly committing sin and evil now, but they won’t be proud after God disciplines them. This reminds me of a parent as they get ready to humble their child in discipline. 

Verses 6-11 give us more insight as to how the Israelites are treating each other. First we see a somewhat confusing set of dialogue where the false prophets in the land are telling Micah to change his prophecies and warning because they only want to hear positive things. (Now if this isn’t relatable in the 21st century…) The people are reminded in verse 7 that if they are truly upright and following God, then they will want to hear the words of God, no matter if they are positive or negative.

The final two verses of chapter 2, we see a beautiful Messianic prophecy, or a prophecy of Jesus. One day King Jesus will lead the people.

But chapter 3 continues to speak of the evil in the hearts of the Israelites, specifically the leaders of Israel who are doing the opposite of what leaders are supposed to do. Verses 2 and 3 even speak of cannibalism (EWWW), but we know that Micah is using it as a hyperbolic reference to the impact that the evil leaders are having on the people. 

Verses 5-7 seem to almost be a repeat of the idea shown in chapter 2 verse 6. The prophets of Israel (this was a formal, paid position) are rebuked for only saying what the people wanted to hear instead of God’s words. The chapter concludes with more rebuking of the leaders of Israel for their greed and injustice and warnings of the impending destruction. 

It is clear that God was not ignoring the sin of the people. He took it very seriously. His grace for the people is evident in that He had Micah warn the people that destruction is coming. Sadly, it didn’t change their behavior and they would continue to act selfishly, proud, and sinfully. It is far too easy for us (in 2024) to sit back and assume that our sin is ours alone and only affects us. So if we ignore it, it’s our own problem. But this is simply a lie. The sin of the leaders of Israel had major impacts on the people of Israel. Likewise, our sin affects others around us.

It is just for all to be judged for sin; believers’ price has been paid by Christ.

Jumping to chapter 4 of Micah, we see some prophecies that have yet to occur. We will see more in future chapters as well. This chapter should give us so much hope for the future end times. 

And you, watchtower for the flock,
fortified hill of Daughter Zion,
the former rule will come to you;
sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem. Micah 4:8 CSB

Who is the great watchtower? Jesus. He is our stronghold or fortified hill. He will come to rule over the world forever. There are some references to Revelation 19 and 21 that we can easily miss, like the cutting of sheaths and the threshing floor. Verses 12-13 are saying that while the Israelites don’t recognize God’s judgment, outsiders won’t know that God’s plan is taking place. Like bad crops, the evil will be cut down. In the end, we will be like the ones cutting away evil and all their wealth will be given to God as an offering.

It’s clear from this Scripture and other places that there will be judgment in the final days. Some people are quick to say that this isn’t fair and that a good God wouldn’t harm His creation. God is just. God alone defines “fair” and justice and He alone ultimately disciplines His beloved. We are all deserving of death because of our sin (Romans 6:23). All of us, even Mother Teresea. None of us are good enough or righteous enough.  BUT JESUS. Jesus already took on the consequence of death for those who believe and trust in Him.

God provides an escape over the power of sin. 

Micah chapter 5 is a gem of a chapter, a chapter that encourages and provides prophecies of a Savior to come. We often hear 5:2 quoted at Christmastime. Only Jesus is a ruler from ancient times, as we know He was there at the time of creation.

Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
one will come from you
to be ruler over Israel for me.
His origin is from antiquity,
from ancient times. Micah 5:2 CSB

There is some mystery as to the meaning of verses 5 and 6, but we do know it is a reminder of Jesus coming to provide rescue for His people. The conclusion of this chapter is from God’s perspective and has His telling of the removal of evil temptations that the Israelites are struggling with, like the worshiping of idols and prideful hearts.

The Lord used Micah to tell of a time when destruction would remove the physical temptations that the people had that led them to sin. If sin wasn’t a big deal, why would it be necessary to remove the items that led to it? If we come to Him and ask Him, He will gladly transform our lives and remove our temptations to sin, too.

The Lord is faithful to us, and He wants faithfulness in return. 

Chapters 6 and 7 of Micah appeal to the people of Israel to repent from their sinful ways and turn back to God. (This theme of repent and turn back to God is repeated all throughout the Bible!) God’s judgment of the people provides an opportunity of discipline for them (then) and a warning for us (now). 

Micah uses the imagery of a courtroom (6:1-5) with God as the judge reminding the people what He expects of them and how He alone has been faithful to them time and time again. The Israelite people respond to this with a half-hearted appeal to please God with sacrifices. But God is very clear with His desire for the people. 

Mankind, he has told each of you what is good
and what it is the Lord requires of you:
to act justly,
to love faithfulness,
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 CSB

After Micah reminds what the Lord truly desires, it seems as if he is irritated that the people still don’t understand. So he spends the remaining 8 verses of chapter 6 explaining the upcoming judgment over their sin. 

This depressing tone continues throughout the first 6 verses of Micah chapter 7 as Micah reflects on the evil of the people. Then we have a light of determinedness and faithfulness in verse 7: 

But I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me. Micah 7:7 CSB

Micah 7:8-10 sees a perspective change as Micah speaks on behalf of Israel stating that Israel would be patient during the punishment because God would see them through the tough times and would also punish their enemies. What Micah recognized, and we should also recognize, is that punishment does not mean rejection. The purpose is to bring the people back to God and allow them to reap the benefits of being obedient to Him. The chapter and book conclude with reminders of how compassionate God is and how quickly and easily He forgives His people when they come with humble and willing hearts. 

God is oh-so faithful to us. Whenever we call on His name, He listens (7:7). He is quick to forgive our many failures and sins (7:18). All He desires in return is to live a changed life that is full of righteousness, mercy, and humility (6:6). So, yes. YES. Sin is really THAT big of a deal. 

How will you live in light of this truth today?