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The Mountain of the Lord’s Temple

Scripture reading for September 21th: Micah 3-5

“Because of you (prophets and leaders), Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound  overgrown with thickets.” Micah 3:12

Micah wasted no time in telling the leaders of Israel and Judah their sins.  These leaders had loved evil instead of good and failed to provide justice for the land.  (Micah 3:1-2)  The prophets of the land were no better.  If they were given food or pay, they would bring a message of “peace”.  If they were not paid, the message would be of coming war!   The prophets were for hire or otherwise they brought curses!  The results of the failures of leadership were the destruction of the temple and of the city of Jerusalem.  The leaders thought that they were safe because they called on the Lord and stayed near His temple.  They were just going through the motions and under a delusion of safety.  Micah was a true prophet of the Lord and warned them free of charge!

Leadership is so important for the people of God!  Wise leaders model godly behavior and love to see justice done.  They live by God’s word and call the people to follow.  They punish those who stray from the truth and reward those who are doing right.  Integrity is a mark of  good leaders.  They live what they say they believe.  They do not claim to love God and then do the opposite of what God has said is right.  As we look at our nation today, we find few leaders who really love God.  Many claim to be Christians, but their actions speak louder than their words.  Where are the godly prophets who will confront sin in the leadership of the land?

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.  Many nations will come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.  He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.”” Micah 4:1-2

According to Micah, God was going to provide a new time of peace in the last days. He would again establish Mt. Zion as the place of rulership for all nations and peoples.  They would come to the Lord and desire to know His ways and His word.  There would be a time of universal peace and He would rule over the peoples from Mt. Zion.  (Micah 4:6-7)  But before this takes place, Israel must go into captivity in Babylon.  The Lord would rescue them.

Micah then spoke about the city of Bethlehem in Judah.  From this city would come one who would rule over Israel. He would shepherd the flock of God’s people and His greatness would spread to the ends of the earth!  (Micah 5:2-4)  Micah named  the city of Jesus’ birth over 700 years before the event!  God’s prophets are always known by the truth of their words.  Check out who you are listening to in these last days!