The hope of salvation

In the previous passage, the prophet Micah was deeply lamenting because he saw the suffering that would come upon the people of Israel during the Great Tribulation. In today’s passage, however, he finds comfort by seeing “hope in the midst of judgment.” (1) He sees the hope of salvation: “But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me” (v 7). This hope concerns the spiritual and physical salvation of the people of Israel – in other words, the national salvation of Israel. (2) Furthermore, he sees the hope that even in darkness (the Great Tribulation), the light of the Lord’s will be there. (3) He prophesies, “Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine. Though I fall I will rise; though I live in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.” The word “enemy” is a singular feminine noun in Hebrew. It is a collective noun that gathers together all the enemies of Israel. In other words, he is speaking to all of Israel’s enemies, saying, “Do not rejoice over me.” The reason is that the people of Israel will rise again. (4) Furthermore, Micah says, “I will endure the rage of the Lord Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will look at His righteousness” (v 9). The people of Israel will come to acknowledge that judgment has come upon them because of their own sin. “Rage” refers to the Great Tribulation. The time will come when that judgment ends. That will be the time of Israel’s salvation. “He will bring me out to the light, and I will look at His righteousness” is a prophecy of that salvation. More specifically, this is a prophecy of the Second Coming of the Messiah. Israel’s enemies will finally be covered with shame. They are the ones who have boasted, “Where is the Lord your God?” (v 10). At that time, the prophecy will be fulfilled: “My eyes will look on her; at that time she will be trampled down like mud of the streets” (v 10).

Psalm 79

Psalm 79 poetically expresses Israel’s prayer during the Great Tribulation. Israel’s enemies say, “Where is their God?” (v 10), mocking the name of God. The people of Israel pray for the Second Coming of the Messiah. In answer to that prayer, the Messiah returns and destroys Israel’s enemies. The same theme found in Micah chapter 7 is portrayed there. Let us learn a lesson from today’s passage. There is light even in the midst of darkness. God does not remain angry forever. Let us learn to cling to God’s grace. Those who curse the people of Israel will eventually be put to shame. Those who bless the people of Israel will receive blessing from God.