It was bad. Where were the godly people? There was no one left. They had slowly compromised to the point that there was barely a flicker of godliness left.
And it was true with almost everyone.
“Both hands are good at accomplishing evil; the official the judge demand a bribe” (v. 3).
Greed ruled the land.
“The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is worse than a hedge of thorns” (v. 4).
It was so bad instruction was given to trust no one.
“Do not truly on a friend; don’t trust in a close companion. Seal your mouth from the woman who lies in your arms. Surely a son considers his father a fool, a daughter opposed her mother, and a daughter-in-law is against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own household” (v. 6).
What a terrible picture of humanity. You can’t even trust the person in your arms at night or your own children from your womb. That’s how degraded the people had become.
But one needed to trust in the LORD.
“But I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me” (v. 7).
Previously the LORD had been part of the prosecution when sending them to exile. Rightfully deserved. But after their time was up, he would come to be their defense. And he would restore them.
Those who had previously asked, “Where is your God?” They would be silent and would tremble before Him.
A day would come when the people of the world would come to Israel. The rest of the earth would become a wasteland as they too would face the punishment of their actions.
Once again the LORD would do mighty miracles in Israel, just like from the times of the Exodus. The nations will tremble in the presence of God.
That is the goodness and forgiveness of God. That though Israel had done great evil, because they were his covenant people, he would forgive and restore them.
“Who is a God like You, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to his anger forever, because He delights in faithful love. He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show loyalty to Jacob and faithful love to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from days long ago” (v. 18-20).
Micah ends on this hope. That the goodness of God will restore them as they are his covenant people. This is what it is to be in covenant. Especially with God who is a God of forgiveness and love. It didn’t mean there weren’t times of severe discipline. They did have to face that. But God remained faithful to the covenant even when they didn’t.
Currently we are ourselves are in a test. In a battle. Will we stand? Will we compromise? Will we shut our eyes because it’s not that bad in our camp?
