The LORD’s Promise

This whole series, when I say “Israel,” you say, “North!”  It’s been a reminder that the word, “Israel,” refers to the tribes of the northern kingdom during this part of history.  Now, however, Israel is no more.  When I say, “Israel,” you say, “Gone.”  Israel is gone.

In the last days, the mountain of the LORD's house will be the highest of all--the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. (Micah 4:1 NLT)

Throughout this series, however, we have seen the patience of God.  We have seen the mercy of God.  We have seen the love of God.  We have seen that the LORD want’s more for the people of Israel than they are experiencing.  So, even now, we see that the LORD does not give up on them.

People from many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob's God. There He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths." For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; His word will go out from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2 NLT)

The LORD sends a message through the prophet Micah that paints a picture of the future.  God is purposefully vague on the timing, but is quite clear about the picture.  The LORD will restore the world and its people to a Garden walk once again.  It will begin in Jerusalem with Israel go out into all the earth.

The LORD will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. (Micah 4:3 NLT)

This picture is in the future for the people of Micah’s day.  The LORD called the time period, “the last days.”  Now, we have seen the beginning of this picture taking place.  The LORD’s Messiah has already come, taught, died, arose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  Now, the LORD’s teaching is going out.  It began in Jerusalem.  Then it moved to Judea, Samaria, and continues to the “ends of the earth.”

Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear. The LORD of Heaven's Armies has made this promise! (Micah 4:4 NLT)

This teaching reminds us to love God with everything and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  This teaching paints and repaints the picture of life and humanity that was given to us all the way back in the Garden of Eden.  This teaching empowers, equips, and encourages us to walk together with God.  This picture is more than a picture.  It is the LORD’s promise and it is starting to be fulfilled in our lifetime, today.

Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the LORD our God forever and ever. (Micah 4:5 NLT)

How about you?  Can you see the picture?  Do you believe that it’s true?  Do you trust in the LORD’s promise?