INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. That We Do Justly
E. Remarks.
1. This is lesson 1, in the sermon-series entitled: “What doth God Require?" Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, and both ministered in the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The name Micah means, "Who is like Jehovah?" The theme of Micah is: “To hear.” A recurring theme unto God's people: “The first of all commandments is to: Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord...There are no other commandments greater than these,” Mark 12:29-31. Isaiah prophesied in the king's court; while, Micah humbly spoke unto the ordinary people. Micah, like Amos prophesied strongly against immorality, social injustices, and the oppression of the poor, by the rich and powerful. These seem to be similar sins that now plague our Nation, along with the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Micah was answering the question of the people: “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD?” Micah responded: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good (righteous), and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:6-8. These are qualities of faith and obedience that God delights in His people. We will notice what God requires; and how, this Nation has: “fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
2. We will observe that God requires that: “we do justly” before Him, our brethren, and our fellow-man: regardless of their religious, racial, or economic standing in life. God has somewhat against Judah; and, with America as well. They were dealing treacherously, dishonestly and without integrity among each other, and with their fellow-man. The rich set out to oppress the poor. The merchants defrauded and deceived their customers. And their religious establishment permitted their immorality, injustices, and corrupt practices to go unchecked. Micah was crying out within the land against the people, while Isaiah was accusing: "That the leaders of this people have caused them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed,” Isaiah 9:16. Is there one crying out in this land, to do justly unto all men, that God might be well pleased? With this brief introduction, let’s consider the lesson 1, in this sermon-series: “that we do justly.”
BODY OF LESSON
I THAT WE DO JUSTLY
A. Micah, the prophet. The name Micah means “who is like Jehovah?” There is none so just as the King of Kings: And yet none so merciful, who pardons, “the remnant of His heritage,” Isaiah 9:17. There is a similarity between the message of Micah and Isaiah. His preaching is vital to America's problems today. Observe--
1. Isaiah prophesied in the king’s court; while, Micah humbly spoke unto the ordinary people. Some may preach to a vast audience, a mega institution. Others may preach only to a handful of godly people.
2. Whatever our audience, it is essential for us to charge these to: "Hear the word of the Lord." Let it be clear: the size of the assembly does not sanctify the message. However, the sermon does bless the meeting, whether great or small. Jesus said: "Sanctify them through thy truth, for thy word is truth," John 17:17.
3. The theme of Micah is: “To hear.” It is a recurring theme unto this people: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might,” Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The first commandment is to hear, O, Israel!
4. Moses instructed them: “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,” Deuteronomy 10:12. Jesus taught Israel these same commandments. A lawyer inquired of the commandments of God.
5. The Lord’s reply: “And Jesus answered him (the lawyer): The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
a. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with thy soul, and with thy entire mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
b. “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandments greater than these.”
c. “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all thy heart, and with all thy understanding, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
d. “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst asks him any question,” Mark 12:29-34; Matthew 22:37-40.
e. In this setting, Micah is advising the people that God had somewhat against them. They, like their ancestors, had forgotten the commandments of the Lord. And these were that they:
a. Fear the Lord.
b. Walk-in His ways.
c. Love Him.
d. Serve Him with all their heart and soul and all their might.
e. And to love their neighbor as themselves.
B. The word of the Lord. Micah wrote: “The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple," Micah 1:1-2. What is it that God had witnessed, and needed to convey unto His people? Observe--
1. They had forgotten His goodness: “O my people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me. I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam," Micah 6:3-4.
2. They forgot the sins of their ancestors: “O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal: That ye may know the righteousness of the LORD,” Micah 6:5. Hear what Balaam said unto Balak--
a. Balaam’s answer: “And Balaam said unto Balak... saying: If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?” Numbers 24:12-13. We cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord!
b. Peter wrote: “If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to who be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen,” 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Peter 2:15-16.
c. Conclusion: What so ever the Lord hath said: That shall we speak!
3. The people asked of Micah: “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for my soul's sin?” Micah 6:6-7.
a. Solomon wrote: “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice,” Proverbs 21:3.
b. Hosea wrote: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings,” Hosea 6:6.
c. What Jehovah desired was mercy and not sacrifices; knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Justice and judgment are more acceptable unto the Lord than any of these.
d. Paul summarized it like this: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Do not conform to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what that good is, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” Romans 12:1-2.
C. Micah’s mission. Like Amos, Micah prophesied strongly against immorality, social injustices, and the poor's oppression by the rich and mighty. These were similar sins and unrighteousness, which now infect and plague the Nation of America, along with the Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic. Observe--
1. Micah’s message to the people. His answer: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8.
2. Jehovah not pleased. The LORD, Jehovah, was not happy with burnt offerings, calves a year old. He was not delighted with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil. Nor would he be pleased with the giving of our firstborn for our transgressions, or the fruit of our body for the sin of our souls.
3. He hath told thee O man. America.
a. God is well pleased when we as a nation: do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him, the church, and the world.
b. These are qualities of righteousness that God has long given unto His people.
c. This Nation is not pleasing to God.
d. America has fallen short of its obligations:
1) To love God and keep His commandments.
2) To love its neighbor, in the same manner as it loves itself!
3) To do justly unto all men (regardless of race, national origin, color, political affiliation, or religion).
4) To grant mercy unto all men.
5) To walk humbly and sincerely before Him and all men.
4. Saints are directed: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” Galatians 6:9-10; Luke 6:35; Hebrews 13:16.
C. Micah’s answer: to do justly. He wrote: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good (righteous), and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly,” Micah 6:8. The God of heaven has shewed thee, O man, what is right. He hath taught you what He requires of thee. It is this, to do justly unto all, in all things.
1. The word “justly” in Heb., is mishpat or mish·pät'; which means to render appropriately, a verdict pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree of divine law, including a participant's right or privilege:— to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, rightly, or to issue a just sentence.
2. Do justly. Do right unto Him, your brethren, and your fellow man, regardless of their religious, racial, or economic standing in life, 3 John 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:17-18. America has fallen short in its efforts to: “do justly unto all of the people.”
a. Its long history of “systemic racism” in America, making it unpopular, unlawful, or unfavorable, for one race to deal rightly with another, is destroying itself.
b. Its long history of “white silence” during times of injustices, police brutality, social inequities, fraud, and abuses of the weak and helpless. Such, “silence can imply consent.” Observe--
1) Silence is consent when a choice can be made to speak out or take action.
2) Silence is consent when someone chooses to do nothing, but, to be a bystander.
3) You can't be sure that their silence truly means they are consenting to it.
4) However, if you are silent about an issue, be aware that others may very well interpret it as “consent.”
c. When "good people" do not practice justice, integrity, honesty, and give aid to their neighbor (fellow-man), they FAIL TO: "do justly," before God and men, Micah 6:8; Matthew 22:37-40.
3. Jehovah had somewhat against Judah. They were not dealing honestly and with integrity among each other, nor with their fellow-man.
a. The rich oppressed the poor and weak in the Nation.
b. The merchants defrauded their customers, in goods and services.
c. The religious leaders turned their faces away from the sins of immorality, injustices, and corrupt practices, allowing them to continue without rectification.
4. The leaders of the people permitted these injustices. Like the time of Micah, the leaders and powers to be have hid their eyes from these systemic evil in America: racial injustice, prejudice, and Hatred for "black and brown people."
a. Micah cried out within the land against the people for their sins and unrighteousness, Micah 1:1-2.
b. Isaiah, prophesied against Judah’s king, saying: “That the leaders of this people have caused them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed,” Isaiah 9:16.
c. Is there one who is crying out in this land, to do justly, to love God with all our hearts, soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, that God might be well pleased?
d. Until recently, there has been a deafening silence to these sins of injustice, brutality, and corruption in America. George Floyd's blood crieth yet from the ground for: “America to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God.”
e. The death of this man cries out to all empowered in America: to treat all men equally under the law, and to provide clear oversight and accountability in all things.
D. Judah’s sins. There are five categories of wickedness and unrighteousness Judah had committed in the land and found guilty before Jehovah. They are 1) Idolatry, 2) violence, 3) injustice, 4) religious err, and 5) merchant corruption. There may be more, but these are the most apparent in his Book. Micah wrote:
1. The people’s idolatry. Micah wrote:
a. First, “For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Are they not Jerusalem?”
b. Further, “Therefore I will make Samaria as a heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.”
c. Next, “And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of a harlot, and they shall return to the hire of a harlot,” Micah 1:5-7.
d. Finally, “For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people,” Micah 6:16.
e. Interpretation: The transgression of Jacob, the sins of the house of Israel. They are the idols that vex the land of Samaria, Judah, and Jerusalem. Therefore, I will make Samaria as a heap of the field. I will beat into (pieces) their graven images; burn them with fire. They shall be desolate, and they shall return to the hire of a harlot. For the statutes of Omri are kept. All the evil works of Ahab, they are yet walking in their counsels.
f. Judgment. Hear, O Israel, what Jehovah hath said: “I will make them desolate, and the inhabitants about will pass by them hissing (whistling and mockery), they shall bear the reproach of my people,” Micah 6:16.
2. The violence of the rich and powerful. Micah wrote:
a. First, “Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it because it is in their hand's power. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage,” James 5:1-6; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5.
b. Further, “Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family, do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil,” Micah 2:1-3. You shall not go into captivity elated, with pride or haughtily; but, in shame and disgrace.
c. Next, “For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.”
d. Finally, “Therefore, I shall make thee sick in smiting you! I will make thee desolate because of thy sins. Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied, and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee, and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver, and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword. Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap: thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink (of the) wine,” Micah 6:12-15; Proverbs 19:5.
e. Interpretation: Woe unto you that spend the night devising iniquities and work of evil upon your beds. When morning comes, you put forth thine wickedness into practice, because you are rich and powerful, and perceive none can stop you in the commission of your evil. You covet a field and take it with violence. You have remove families from their homes, even one that has been theirs for generations. You are full of violence, threatening, and murder. You speak lies, and your tongue is full of deceit. Therefore I will smite thee, and cause you to be desolate because of your sins. Observe--
1) Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied.
2) That which you have shall be cast down in the midst of thee.
3) That which you shall take hold (buy) shalt not be delivered.
4) That which hast been deliverest, will I give up to the sword.
5) Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap.
6) Thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with oil.
7) Thou shalt tread sweet wine, but thou shalt not drink of it.
f. Judgment. Hear, O Israel, what Jehovah hath said: “Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family, do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily (but in shame): for this time is evil,” Micah 2:3. Jehovah will place His knee upon our necks, for our sins.
NOTE: Illustrate, Knee Upon His Neck. George Floyd, four white police officers.
3. Heads of Jacob and princes. Micah wrote: “And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel:”
a. First, “Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil... Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.”
b. Further, “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? No evil can come upon us.”
c. Finally, “Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest,” Micah 3:1-2; Micah 3:9-12.
d. Interpretation: You heads of Jacob and princes, is it not for you to know judgment? You hate good but love evil. Hear what I propose for the house of Jacob and her princes: that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. Hear Jehovah:
1) You heads (Jacob and princes) thereof judge for reward (payment), Micah 3:11; Ezekiel 22:27; Isaiah 1:23.
2) The priests thereof teach for hire (they are bought), Exodus 23:6-9. They have been partial in their execution of the law, Malachi 2:7-9; Deuteronomy 1:17.
3) The prophets thereof divine (claim to speak divinely) for money, Jeremiah 14:14-15; Jeremiah 23:14-15.
4) Yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say: Is not the LORD among us? No evil can come upon us. There is no security and safety in unrighteousness.
e. Judgment. Hear, O Israel, what Jehovah hath said: “Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.” He will make Jerusalem desolate and abandoned them before the nations. They are an abomination unto God. Sin causes any Nation to become an abomination unto God.
4. Prophets and seers. Micah wrote: “Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry Peace; and he that putteth, not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.”
a. First, “Therefore night shall be unto you that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.”
b. Further, “Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.”
c. Finally, “But truly I (Micah) am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin,” Micah 3:5-8.
d. Interpretation: Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite and devour them. They cry; there is peace. There is no peace within their mouths; they only prepare for war against you.
e. Judgment. Hear, O Israel, what Jehovah hath said: Therefore night shall be unto them, in their lack of visions; and it shall be dark, having no more divine messages. The sun shall go down over the prophets, and their days shall be dark, Jeremiah 29:10; Ezekiel 13:22-23; 1 Samuel 3:1. They shall seek for a sign, and find none. They will look for a word of Jehovah, yet, hear none.
5. The merchant’s corruption. Micah wrote: “The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?” Micah 6:9-11; Proverbs 20:23.
a. The man of wisdom shall see thy name, hear ye the rod, and appointed it for these people.
b. Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked? And the scant measure that is abominable?
c. Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances? Proverbs 20:10.
d. When their bags of balance are full of deceit in their hands? Hosea 12:7.
e. Interpretation: Shall not the man of wisdom when he hears of my name: witness my rod of judgment, know that I have appointed it? Shall he not see that I, Jehovah, have done these things? Should I overlook the treasures of wickedness that fill the houses and markets of trade? Is not the scantiness of their measure still an abomination? Shall I count them pure that rob and swindle my people? Shall I accept the merchant’s use of unbalanced bags to weigh in their exchanges? These are all rhetorical questions.
f. Judgment. Hear, O Israel, what Jehovah hath said: Can I, the God of holiness and righteousness, allow the merchants, to cheat my people in goods and services. Shall I consider them pure in their works? Is there a message for America? Let’s consider an application for Micah’s words today!
E. America’s sins. What are America's sins? How is Micah's message applicable to us today? Here are those same sins being perpetrated on God's people today. Observe--
1. False religions and covetousness. Can we call the Nation’s religious groups pure: that ignores the persecution and evil being inflicted upon some of its people? Are such groups doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God? Jesus called such people: hypocrites, vain worshippers, and teachers for doctrine the commandments of men. Just like in Micah’s days. Jesus spoke against the Pharisees (religious leaders) of His time. Consider--
a. Their unrighteousness: “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying: These people draweth nigh unto me...But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” Matthew 15:7-9; Mark 7:6-13.
1) They speak from God’s word and honor Him with their lips, Ezekiel 33:31.
2) But their hearts are far from Him, Isaiah 29:13; Acts 28:25-28.
3) They vainly worship Him, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men, Acts 28:25-27.
4) They are men-pleasers; they see the favor of men, rather than God, John 5:44.
5) They are hearers of the word; but, not doers of God's work, James 1:21-27.
a) Micah wrote: “The heads (kings, prophets and priests) thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? No evil can come upon us,” Micah 3:11.
i. They judge for reward (bribes), teach for hire (paid for their false teaching).
ii. They speak claiming their messages are divinely given unto them; but, they speak for (payment) money. They all dealeth falsely, Jeremiah 6:13.
iii. Their judicial rulings and messages are bought; but, they are not righteous judgments God desired, Jeremiah 27:14-15; Jeremiah 28:15-16.
iv. The people “love to have it that way,” Jeremiah 5:30-31. This is the greatest evil. They are no longer standing in the way of truth or asking for the old paths, Jeremiah 6:16.
v. Evangelicals have sold out for Trump: having denied Jesus Christ! Luke 12:8-9. They have compromised their message of Christ, for financial gain and political favors. They have made secret packs: “With principalities, and with powers, and with the rulers of the darkness of this world, and with spiritual wickedness in high places,” Ephesians 6:12.
NOTE: See our lesson, “I must need go through Samaria,” on SermonCentral.com. I speak of these compromises in great length.
b) Isaiah wrote: “Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. The ancient and honorable (kings and princes) are the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they are led of them are destroyed,” Isaiah 9:14-16. They all shall be destroyed, the head, the tail, and all workers of wickedness.
b. Their ungodly examples: “But Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in,” Matthew 23:13.
1) You speak of righteousness and the kingdom of God.
2) But you practice ungodliness, contempt for good, lovers of evil, more than lovers of God. Paul wrote: “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate,” Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:6.
3) Therefore, your examples turn away, those that seek the kingdom of God.
4) You neither go in yourselves, neither suffering them that are entering to go in.
c. Their pretense and prayers: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation,” Matthew 23:14.
1) Prayers in the marketplace, to be seen of men, Matthew 6:5-6.
2) Pray in your closet, to God, that He might reward thee openly.
3) Prayers of the Pharisees, Luke 18:9-14. Two worshippers, one self-righteousness; the other, was crying for "the mercy of God."
d. Their discipleship: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte (disciple), and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves,” Matthew 23:15.
1) You comb the earth far and wide, to find and make one disciple.
2) When you are finished, they are the twofold more child of hell than yourselves.
3) Your conversion methods make children of the evil one, just like yourself.
4) Evil begets evil, while righteousness begets righteousness.
e. Their tithe and the law: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these things ye ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone,” Matthew 23:23.
1) They gave the tithe of mint and anise and cummin (these they kept).
2) But they omitted the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith.
3) These you ought to have done, and not leave the other undone, James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:17-18.
4) These were all ceremonial and not service to humanity. God didn't need their tithes, but His people needed justice, mercy, and faithful service in all things.
5) These were the same sins of Israel and Jerusalem, which Micah preached against. As their judgment was captivity, what shall ours be in the end?
f. Their final judgment: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:33. Jesus called them serpents and vipers. He asked: “Is it possible that you shall escape the damnation of hell?” America’s religious leaders: How can they escape the damnation of hell? Here’s why!
1) They see wrong and do not attempt to make it right.
2) They make allegiance with politicians and Presidents for favors and deny God.
3) They witness injustice, false imprisonments, police brutality; but, remain silent.
4) They seek the honor of men and dismiss the recognition that comes from God alone, John 5:44; Matthew 23:5.
5) Micah wrote: “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? No evil can come upon us,” Micah 3:11; Amos 9:10.
6) Paul wrote: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision (the religious class): Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake (dirty money),” Titus 1:10-11; Philippians 3:2-3; Galatians 6:15-16.
2. Rich and powerful men. Let turn our attention now to the rich and powerful men of America. They have corrupted the government's system, stole from the American people, and has done irreparable harm to the Nation’s financial stability.
a. The Republican Senate has given tax breaks and corporate bailouts to the rich and powerful of America. But, they have taken a stand against healthcare for all Americans. Our grand and great-grandchildren will be paying for the budget deficit created by this Republican White House and Senate.
b. They seek to end Social Security benefits, Medicare, and overturn the ACA Health Coverage. This we cannot allow. The Coronavirus pandemic has shown all Americans how corrupt and dysfunctional this Administration, the Congress, and the Courts have become in its governing and judgment in America.
c. They seek to commercialize the United States Post Office, the most profitable company in America. Why? Wall Street wants its hands on their Retirement Program funds, set aside for its workers and their families.
d. These are all wicked and ungodly men, full of corruption and greedy intentions. They now occupy the Republican Senate and the White House. They choose wickedness and mischief because it is in their hands to do so. Observe--
1) Micah wrote: “That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up (make the deal),” Micah 7:3.
2) Isaiah wrote of their wickedness:
a) His watchmen: “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber,” Isaiah 56:10.
b) His leaders: “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough... they all look to their way, every one for his gain, from his quarter,” Isaiah 56:11-12; Jeremiah 22:17.
c) Come you, say they: “I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant(ly),” Isaiah 56:12.
3. President, Congress, and the Courts. We are living in “Perilous Times.” Paul wrote of them: “This also know that in the last days perilous times shall come. Men shall be lovers of their selves...proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers... despisers of those that are good...Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away,” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Observe--
a. First, there is a constant and egregious force at work in America today. It has been brought about by the Trump Administration. Some or all of these words of Paul, speak to the ills of this Administration. And some have aligned themselves with his work and disgraceful behavior. I'm ashamed to mention these in this lesson of love, faith and obedience.
b. Further, we have a corrupt and dishonest Republican Party in Congress, led by Mitch McConnell. He has been complicit and continues to contribute to this evil by turning his head to the President's appalling behavior. He has betrayed his "oath of office" before God and men. And so has his caucus, saving one, "Mitt Romney."
1) This man should stand up against this Administration.
2) This is the time that all good men stand up and be heard!
c. Finally, it has not escaped the courts either. The Supreme Court, which recently ruled unjustly, putting the American people in danger; just to be "in bed," with this Administration. The courts have been stacked by McConnell; to ensure this type of partisanship behavior becomes the norm in the judicial system of the lower Federal courts. Big money has bought the Federal Courts, through Mitch McConnell and the Republican Senate.
d. Conclusion: Paul wrote: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,” Ephesians 6:12.
1) All are being guided by greed, covetousness, and unrighteousness.
2) They now spurned the integrity and reverence of their offices’ for “greedy lucre’s sake,” Titus 1:10-11.
4. Religious leaders and ministers. To begin our discussion of religious leaders and ministers across the Nation, let's hear first from Solomon: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs 14:34. Observe--
a. The Nation's religious leaders, evangelists, and ministers have also partnered with the Administration’s corrupted and decadent behavior. Evangelicals have sided with this Administration, to obtain political favors from the President.
b. They have abandoned their creed: “To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God,” Micah 6:8.
c. These religious leaders have all disavowed their love of God, for Christ and His Word, and have chosen instead to hate: “their fellow-man;” in stark contrast with the teachings of Jesus Christ, whom they claim to love, serve and represent.
d. But you say: “How have I behaved in such fashion?” You now sit in silence, while the Nation's youth are marching for righteousness, justice, and accountability from the White House to the outhouse!
1) These are the very message they ought to be proclaiming to the Nation, and the world, from their pulpits.
2) Ministers, what is your word from the Lord? How many prayers have you led for the healing of this Nation?
3) Who have you called upon in your circles of influence for change? You have remained silent in your messages and prayers.
4) I pray God gives you the courage to speak out!
5. Big business and banking.
a. This Administration has thwarted and undermined the Nation's recovery from this terrible virus; by signing Executive Orders, and threatening vulnerable workers back to their jobs. Governors have threatened them with reprisals if they failed to go back to their infected work environments. The employers were not directed even to provide masks, face shields, etc., to protect the workers from the deadly virus. They have failed to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
1) It has presented plans and procedures for a safe reopening of businesses and recreational areas but has not enforced compliance with these directives on a national level.
2) It has silenced the health briefings from the Center for Disease Control, and promoted medications that promise treatment, and, as an antidote to this virus.
3) It has rejected the caution and advisory by our Nation's top health officials, that these medications have no proven efficacy, for use against COVID-19.
b. Recently, congress passed a budget to support big businesses during this pandemic. Its goal was to keep all their employees on the payroll, to lessen the burden on the Nation’s Workers Unemployment Payments.
1) It has not yet been determined the success of this bill. We will have to wait and see if the Nation’s businesses and banking will keep Americans employed; and, in their homes, during this time of significant unemployment.
2) Big business and banking were bailed out in 2008-2009. I trust they will do the same for American workers. Let's now consider the next point in this lesson, "To love mercy." As we move to a conclusion in this lesson. Let me make an appeal.
6. Appeal. Recall Jehovah advised: Hear O, Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. As with Israel and Judah, Jehovah is willing also to forgive our sins and iniquities. O, Lord, you know we have many. But Jehovah hath said: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Timothy 2:1-8.
1) Herein is our charge brothers: to cause the people to call upon the Lord, humble themselves, pray and seek His face, and turn away from all their wickedness, that God might hear them, forgive and heal our land from sickness and disease. Will you join in with me in this soul-stirring charge unto the church, its ministers, and its leaders and unto the entire Nation?
2) Before I close, it is burdened upon me to state, that not all police, politicians, and people are wicked and ungodly. There are much more dedicated ones than evil in our police departments throughout America and God-fearing politicians in Washington, D.C.
3) I do not want to obscure their faith, their work, and patronage to this beautiful country, that it should go unnoticed, and without our thanks. I honor these in the name of the Lord. I pray many more will rise and walk as these do, in the coming days ahead. I pray for you also to remain “on task,” to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before our God. As I close, recall we discussed--
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. That We Do Justly
B. Summarize main points.
1. In this lesson, we observed what God required that: "we do justly” before Him, our brethren, and our fellow-man, regardless of their religious, racial, or economic standing in life. God had somewhat against Judah. They were not dealing honestly and with integrity among each other, or with their fellow-man.
2. The rich oppressed the poor. The merchants defrauded their customers. And their religious leaders permitted these sins of immorality, injustices, and corrupt practices to go unchecked. Micah was crying out within the land against the people, while Isaiah was accusing: "That the leaders of this people have caused them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed," Isaiah 9:16. Is there one crying out in this land, to do justly unto all men, that God might be well pleased?
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. Clarke Commentary on the Bible, Eight Volumes, Published 1810-1826, New York, Published by J. Emory and B. Waugh, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the conference office, 13 Crosby-Street., J. Collord, Printer, 1831.
6. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
