Readings for the week of 6/28-7/04/2009
Micah 1-7         Isa. 7- 34         2 Kings. 15:38          1 Chron 5, 28

Another prophet during Isaiah’s time is Micah and their writings are strikingly similar in content. God’s message through all of his prophets is unmistakably the same– sin, destruction, exile, restoration, and the coming of a Messiah to save the world.

Micah’s predictions of future events are more numerous and specific than those of other prophets. For example, Micah predicts the fall of Samaria, the invasion of Judah by Sennacherib, the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, the exile in Babylon, the return from captivity to peace and prosperity, and the birth of the Messiah in the city of Bethlehem.

The warnings of the prophets that Israel would fall into Assyrian captivity are already starting to come true. It will be several more years before total collapse takes place, but the record indicates that even now, during Pekah’s reign, many of the people of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh are taken captive by Tiglath-Pileser (King Pul).

Isaiah records the challenge made to Ahaz by King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel, and then relates his own exchange with Ahaz. God is ready to defend Judah despite her wickedness and tells Ahaz to request a sign. This he arrogantly refuses to do. Isaiah then says that the Lord himself will give Ahaz a sign, whether he likes it or not. The sign evidently has nothing to do with the pending battle, but rather with the coming Messiah. At first it appears that Isaiah is merely telling of impending political and military events: Assyria is bringing destruction and, after some time, Syria and Israel will be captured. Assyria herself will then be destroyed and a remnant of God’s people will be brought back to reestablish a Jewish nation.

Laced throughout that narrative, however, are messianic prophecies. The Savior will be called Immanuel at his birth. He will be a descendant of King David, whose father’s name was Jesse. He will establish a kingdom and draw to himself a remnant of those who love God. And in the last days there will be justice, peace, and rejoicing in the Savior’s kingdom.

Source: sThe Daily Bible In Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings, NIV, Harvest Publishers- 1984