Micah+7.18-20

toc =Context and Introduction=

The book of Micah deals with the justice of God. Throughout the book, Micah criticizes the leadership of Israel and Judah. Although, they were supposed to be the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant, they failed, so God declared that He would take the position of leadership over the nation. A theme of the book is the overturning—the turning away from God, the turning of Israel’s status, the turning of Israel’s destiny. If Israel will turn (repent) toward God, then He will turn from the judgment He has promised. The hope of Israel is the possibility of God relenting from His wrath. There is but one way God can turn the events to favor of His people. Micah 7:18-20 speaks of this requirement, namely the forgiveness of God to His people. Without such action on God’s part, no “turning” is possible. It is for this reason that Micah 7:18-20 can be viewed as the fulcrum upon which the entire book turns. In these closing verses, Micah offers up praise to God for the great compassion which is inherent in His nature. Through the book, Micah reveals the sin of the nation in its true light. As Allen states, “the heartfelt appreciation of divine grace that impassions this finale is an emotion that can be experienced only by those who have come to see sin through God’s eyes.” [1] Micah’s ministry finds its climax in the last view verses of his book. Micah sees the sin of Israel and her leaders from God’s view so the grace of God is all the more glorious. Here, we see Micah approaching “the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace.” [2]

=Themes=

God’s Forgiveness
The theme of forgiveness is evident throughout the passage. Indeed, it is the identifying focus of Micah’s exclamation of praise. It is because of this forgiveness that he can approach God with such confidence. If it were not for such forgiveness, then no reconciliation between God and His people would be possible. This divine forgiveness is unique to the God of the Jews, specifically for the remnant, [3] active, complete, final, [4] and fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. [5]

Micah’s Praise
Andersen notes that this section of scripture, in contrast to the majority of Micah, is “on an altogether positive note.” [6] The prophet expresses both praise and wonder throughout the passage. The praise at the beginning and end of the passage is directed toward God in the second person. [7] This indicates that the prophet has a relationship with Yahweh in which such personal terms are appropriate. There must be a reconciliation between the man and his God.

=Textual Analysis=

Who is a God like You
Micah opens with the question, “Who is a God like you?” [8] And immediately answers “by setting forth the incomparability of Yahweh.” [9] The prophet continues to list both attributes and actions of God which set Him apart from any other god. [10] The name, “Micah” means “Who is like Yahweh?” [11] The only answer to the question can be a resounding “None.” [12] No other leader of Israel could lead like God and no other god of the nations could forgive sins. Only Yahweh is God and there is no one like Him.

Pardoning Iniquity
This attribute of God sets Him apart from any other god of the West-Semitic religions. Though other religions hoped that their gods may be compassionate and would make attempts to manipulate them into merciful behavior, there was no god who guaranteed mercy to His people. [13]

Does Not Retain Anger
The translation of this phrase is literally, “he did not strengthen his anger,” i.e., He did not keep it up. [14] The Lord did not chose to continue in His anger or hold a grudge against His people.

Delights in Steadfast Love
“Steadfast love” here is the Hebrew word, “hesed.” It is interpreted elsewhere as “loving kindness.” [15] “Hesed refers to God’s loyalty to the covenant, His sensitivity to community solidarity.” [16] The ratio of hesed to anger is one thousand to four because His anger lasts to the third and fourth generation, but the loving kindness “hesed” of God lasts for a thousand generations. [17] Therefore, we see that God’s hesed is much stronger than His wrath.

Again have Compassion
Wolff notes that “The Hebrew word here [for compassion] does not refer… to the covenant; rather it refers to the inner, heartfelt compassion a mother feels for her helpless child.” God’s compassion accepts the sinner regardless of the sinners ability to repay what is owed. [18]

Tread our Iniquities
Again, Wolff provides helpful insights to the word “tread.” “The Hebrew word for “tread down” refers to a wild and violent stamping to pieces.” [19] The word picture offered is that of one stamping out a consuming fire which is about to set another on fire. [20] This is the way in which God treads down the sin of His people. The word can also be translated “trample.” [21]

The Depths of the Sea
The phrase, “depths of the sea” calls to mind the exodus of Israel when God rescued them from the power of the Egyptians and drowned them in the bottom of the sea (Exodus 14:27) [22]. Just as the Lord rescued them from their enemies, so He will rescue His people from their sin. [23] All of their iniquity is dead and gone only to be remembered in light of the great redemptive power of Yahweh.

Faithfulness and Steadfastness
Finally, Micah praises the Lord for His recommitment to fulfill His promises to Jacob and Abraham. Yahweh made a covenant with the fathers of the Israelite nation which is dependent on this lynch pin found at the end of Micah. [24] Without the forgiveness of sins, no fulfillment of the promise is possible. The faithfulness and the steadfast love (hesed) of God is put on display in the forgiveness of Israel’s sins.

=Significance of Passage=

As previously stated, Micah 7:18-20 is of vital importance to redemptive history because it is the “lynch pin.” Without the forgiveness of God, the repentance of Israel would be futile and God could not turn from His wrath. Indeed, all of the covenants between God and man and all of the prophesies of the OT are dependent on God’s forgiving act. Furthermore, the method by which God forgives the sins of the remnant is the cross of Jesus. The cross is the fulcrum of redemptive history because it allows the forgiveness of God. Micah 7:18-20 is a restatement of God’s promises given to the patriarchs and an assurance of the faithfulness of God. [25] “The Christian church is no stranger to this assurance…” [26] The praise for forgiveness is appropriate for both Micah in his time and the modern Christian in his because the forgiveness and salvation is the same for both. [27] The Israelites did not deserve the hesed of Yahweh, yet because of His promises to Abraham and Jacob, God will completely pass over all the sin of the remnant of Israel. The same promise is significant for modern believers because the forgiveness of Christians also hinges on the promise to the Jews. If God will forgive the church, then how much more will He surely forgive His covenant people Israel.

=Bibliography= Allen, Leslie. //The books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah//. Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans, 1976. Andersen, Francis. //Micah : a new translation with introduction and commentary//. 1st ed. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Crossway Bibles. //ESV study Bible : English Standard Version.// ESV text ed. Wheaton Ill.: Crossway Bibles, 2008. Wolff, Hans. //Micah : a commentary//. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1990.

[1] Allen, //The books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah//, 401. [2] Andersen, //Micah : a new translation with introduction and commentary//, 404; Crossway Bibles., //ESV study Bible : English Standard Version.//, Heb 4:16. [3] Crossway Bibles., //ESV study Bible : English Standard Version.//, Micah 7:18. [4] Ibid., Micah 7:19. [5] Ibid., Micah 7:20; Gen 17:4-8. [6] Andersen, //Micah : a new translation with introduction and commentary//, 595. [7] Ibid. [8] Crossway Bibles., //ESV study Bible : English Standard Version.//, Micah 7:18a. [9] Andersen, //Micah : a new translation with introduction and commentary//, 595. [10] Ibid. [11] Wolff, //Micah : a commentary//. [12] Andersen, //Micah : a new translation with introduction and commentary//, 597. [13] Ibid. [14] Ibid., 598. [15] Crossway Bibles., //ESV study Bible : English Standard Version.//, Psalm 136. [16] Wolff, //Micah : a commentary//, 129. [17] Ibid., 130. [18] Ibid. [19] Ibid. [20] Ibid. [21] Andersen, //Micah : a new translation with introduction and commentary//, 598. [22] Crossway Bibles., //ESV study Bible : English Standard Version.//, Ex 14:27. [23] Wolff, //Micah : a commentary//, 231. [24] Ibid. [25] Allen, //The books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah//, 403. [26] Ibid., 404. [27] Crossway Bibles., //ESV study Bible : English Standard Version.//, Romans 4.

media type="custom" key="7866189"

media type="custom" key="7866191"