Adult Enlightener: Second Quarter 2019

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

The Adult Enlightener Contemporary Training for the Church (CTC) quarterly guide is designed for the career-oriented adult. It uses language and ideas that are meaningful to the adult learner who is primarily handling work and family responsibilities. It is a practical resource for everyday Christian living.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Feb 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781681674933

Book preview

Selected Scripture: Micah 3:1–4; 6:6–8

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BIBLICAL TEACHING EMPHASES:

I. God’s Consequences for Unrighteous Leaders

II. A Rebellious Cry Rejected

III. God’s Requirements for Righteousness

RESOURCES:

The Holy Bible, God’s Promises Edition (Nashville, Boyd Publication, 1998).

LEARNING SESSION

Micah was a prophet in the latter part of the eighth century B.C. to the land of Judah (the Southern Kingdom). He was also a contemporary of Isaiah, whose message was, likewise, aimed at Judah. Micah lived as a peasant farmer in Morsheth, which was about 25 miles from Jerusalem. His proclamations were of judgment for Judah’s extravagant rulers, who led oppressive regimes and idolatrous lifestyles at the expense of everyone else. He also criticized the emerging upper-class landowners, the morally corrupt Judahites, and the professional prophets, who provided personalized oracles for money. Micah foretold the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., and the coming of a future ruler who would be born in Bethlehem.

The Book of Micah adequately demonstrates how a righteous God could love His covenant people, while at the same time be absolutely disgusted with their actions. God is shown as a loving Father who desperately wants His children to turn from their evil actions and see that their motivations are not in sync with His commands. Micah is vexed with his fellow Judahites, and he wants to warn them of the consequences of their inappropriate actions.

I. GOD’S CONSEQUENCES FOR UNRIGHTEOUS LEADERS

In this message, Micah confronted the rulers and the kings of Judah for their corruption, idolatry, immorality, and social debauchery. All of these sins were perpetrated against the people of Judah, in order to appease the oppressive appetites of the powerful and wealthy. As Micah wanted to ensure that the rulers and leaders would repent of their unfaithful lifestyles, he heralded the proclamation of God’s impending judgment throughout the streets to gain their attention. Micah believed that, as the people of Yahweh, the Judahites had a great responsibility to remain faithful to Abraham’s covenant with God. Therefore, the rulers and the inhabitants of Judah needed to understand the significance of their spiritual and genealogical heritage upon their destinies.

The book of Genesis details the lives and lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was the patriarch who wrestled with an angel of the Lord, and, consequently, God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. He sired 12 sons and became the spiritual umbrella for all of his children. Their descendants eventually grew to become the 12 tribes of Israel that were scattered all over the ancient world. This familial knowledge led Micah to his distressed pleas for the leadership of Judah to turn from indulging their ungodly desires, and embrace their responsibility to the Abrahamic covenant.

In Micah’s declarations, he was attempting to notify Judah’s leaders of three truths. First, Micah wanted his audience to understand that he was addressing the spiritual and political leaders of Judah and their penchant for evil. Next, he wanted them to know and understand the meaning of judgment and justice. Finally, the prophet demanded they begin to take responsibility for the protection of God’s children from all harm, especially the harm they were suffering at the hands of their leaders.

ACTIVITY

MAKING IT RELEVANT:

Micah 6:6–8 reveals God’s requirements for humanity. Discuss each of these things and how they apply to the contemporary Christian.

As Micah began reprimanding his audience, the leaders of Judah were aware that the message was meant for them. He addressed them as a group and explained how they needed to listen carefully to his rebuke. Micah firmly demonstrated his steadfast stance against the evil decisions made by the leaders, and this is where he began his message.

For Micah, there were two aspects of judgment he wanted the leaders to understand and embrace. One angle was the comprehension of personal responsibility for sins. He wanted them to recognize their crimes against humanity and repent for their torturous mistreatments of those under their rule. Micah also wanted the leaders and rulers to recognize how to assess their behaviors and decisions according to God’s ethical and moral standards; he wanted them to develop the capability of evaluating their rights and wrongs. Micah did not shy away from telling the leaders that they loved what was evil and hated what was good. He wanted this knowledge to sink into the depths of their souls.

The exploitation and maltreatment that the people of God were suffering under Judah’s leadership was the third item on Micah’s agenda. He provided extremely graphic depictions of how they were being tortured, and he used the imagery of cannibalism to convey his message. Micah was not inhibited in his declaration that the leaders were indulging themselves, in their lust for evil deeds, by plucking, stripping, flaying, and boiling their captives. He was appalled at the indifference with which they considered their acts. Modern examples of these atrocities are found around the globe, where officials beat, rape, torture, maim, kill, and burn the civilians whom they claim