Verses 1-7, “Woe is me! For I am like those who gather summer fruits, Like those who glean vintage grapes; There is no cluster to eat Of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires. The faithful man has perished from the earth, And there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; Every man hunts his brother with a net. That they may successfully do evil with both hands— The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together. The best of them is like a brier; The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; Now shall be their perplexity. Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom. For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household. Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.”
Micah acknowledges that the state of the nation is the direct consequence of their sin. In fact, the people have individually become so sinful and selfish, that no one can be trusted. Even family members cannot be trusted and are at war against each other. The only hope they have is in repentance and turning back to the Lord. No one desires to be in this situation, or thinks they will be here when they choose to sin, but it is the resulting corruption that occurs when you sow to your flesh. Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” There is no fruit to glean, simply because they have not been sowing to the Spirit. Therefore their souls' hunger cannot be satisfied.
Unfortunately, our country today is also experiencing the consequences of its sin. Selfishness has not only been tolerated, but promoted. There are no longer moral laws based on biblical principles governing acceptable behavior; but rather, whatever seems right to an individual is just fine. You cannot trust your friends or even the members of your own family, because there is no respect for God or fellow man. Listen to the description of people in the last days. II Timothy 3:1-5, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” Their minds are corrupt, because they have sown to the flesh and are reaping the God-promised corruption. Even though they may call themselves Christians, there is no spiritual fruit to glean either. Yes, there is mercy and grace for those who do not resist the truth, but for the rest...they will receive God's judgment.
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