In the final verses of his book, Micah the prophet asks a question, “Who is a God like you?” (v. 18). His question is actually a pun, of sort, since Micah’s name in Hebrew means “Who is like Yahweh?”
Micah’s message has been filled with discussions of God’s judgment and mercy that began with the “word of LORD” (Micah 1:1). We conclude with a worshipful reflection on the nature of this God “who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” (v. 18). God desires His people to walk in relationship with Him.
“Who is a God like you?” (v. 18). Micah’s readers already knew the answer. There was no God like this; the Lord had remained faithful to them. He had withdrawn His anger and delighted in showing mercy. On this side of the Cross, we have an even deeper understanding of Micah’s final words. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been given the ultimate gift: the pardon of sin and the assurance of forgiveness (see Eph. 1:7).
As we close this study, we invite you to reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness in two areas: Scripture and your own story. First, Micah illustrated his message with pictures of God’s faithfulness that have been recorded in Scripture. These stories show us who God is by what He has done. Second, Micah lived and preached in a particular period in history when God was active in the lives of His people. God had not only been faithful in the past, but He was also faithful in Micah’s present. Consider how God has been active in your own life, guiding and directing you as you’ve sought—or even at times haven’t sought—to live in right relationship with Him.
>> Which verse in Micah has helped grow your understanding of God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness? Rejoice today in God’s never-changing faithfulness to you.
With whom do you most identify in the book of Micah: Israel’s leadership, the oppressed people, or Micah? Why?
“You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19). There is no other God like You.
Dr. Russell L. Meek teaches Old Testament and Hebrew at Moody Theological Seminary.
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