After chapters full of bitter excoriations by the prophet because of the rampant sin among God's people, the book of Micah ends on a hopeful note as the compassionate nature of the Lord comes shining through.
Verses 1 through 7 of chapter 7 reveals the futility of searching for righteousness among the people. "The faithful have disappeared from the land, and there is no one left who is upright; they all lie in wait for blood, and they hunt each other with nets" (vs. 2). Sin has become universal, and it implicates everyone, even the members of one's own family (vs. 6).
Without downplaying the seriousness of the charges against the Israelites (ranging from dishonest scales to bribery to outright bloodshed), however, the prophet ends on a note of reassurance in the character of God. Because the Lord is gracious and forgiving, all of us sinners can have hope in His mercy.
Let the concluding words of the book of Micah give you encouragement and hope, too. This is a powerful reminder of the kind of God we serve and love:
"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency.
He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old" (vs. 18-20).
Amen, Micah! Amen!
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