How great is our God and His patience with us! In love He disciplines His children - but always "for our good that we may share His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10-11). When we receive his correction with humility and obedience, we will be blessed with His very best: to know Him intimately, to hear His will, and to live in the continual peace of His presence.

       Micah and Isaiah were God's spokesmen to these rebellious kings. These courageous prophets brought warning and hope to a people who would not listen.... 

"I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me."  Micah 7:7

My Lord and my God, how I love You and long to share fully in Your holiness. Thank You for being my Keeper, my Shepherd, my caring Father and my sovereign King!

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1.    Read 2 Chronicles 26.  

A.  Describe Uzziah as seen in verses 3-5.

 

 

B.  What do verses 5, 7, 15 and 20 affirm to you concerning God and His relationship with His people?

 

 

C.  What happened in Uzziah's heart that led to his downfall? (Ask God to reveal where your are confident in your own strength rather than His.)

 

 

D. Prayerfully read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Why is it good, in God's sight, to be weak?  (Consider Paul's attitude expressed in verse 10. Is this your attitude as well?)

 

2. Read 2 Chronicles 27.  Why did Jotham become "mighty"?

 

3. Describe the spiritual decay that ravaged the reign of Ahaz, according to:

2 Chronicles 28:1-6

 

 

2 Chronicles 28:16-27 

4. Seeing the wickedness and greed of Judah's rulers, the prophet Micah was deeply concerned for the poor peasants and villagers who were continually oppressed by the rich and by the transient armies that seized all food and provisions as they swept through the land. Opposing the leaders of his day, he followed the Holy Spirit, speaking fearlessly and risking his own life.

A. Read Micah 1:1. To which kings did Micah prophesy?

 

B.      1.   Read Micah 3. Summarize the reasons for God's coming judgment on Judah.

 

2.  Micah points out an inconsistency in the lives of the leaders. In verse 11, what presumption do you see? (Might there be a similar, though more subtle, inconsistency in your life? Ask Him.)

 

C. Read Micah 4. Even as God was warning His beloved ones of the imminent judgment, He had already prepared the plans for restoration and for a glorious future for them and for us. Which parts of the this prophecy bring you comfort and hope?
 

 

D. Read Micah 5:1-5a. Through this beautiful prophecy of the coming Messiah, how does God deepen your understanding of your covenant-relationship with Him?

 

 

E. Read Micah 6:6-8. Looking at the context of your own life, what does God not want from you?  What does He ask of you?

 

 

F. Read Micah 7:7-8.

1. Describe Micah's attitude before God. (verse 7)

 

2. (Personal) Ask God to show you the deeper meaning of the word "wait" as used here. Then explain how you might wait on God. (See also Psalm 62:1 and  Isaiah 40:31)

 

 

 

3. Of what is Micah confident? (Do you share his confidence?)

 

5.  Read Isaiah 25:1-10.

A.  Through you union with God, you have been given an inheritance -- both for daily life now and for all eternity. Although the prophecy in verses 6-9 was written especially for the Jews, God's first-chosen people, it is also for you. (Remember that you are a "son " of Abraham by faith. Gal. 3:29) How is God encouraging you in this passage?

 

 

B. (Personal) As you read Isaiah's words of praise and affirmation of who God is to him, consider how He has shown you His goodness, His strength and His deliverance. Write a statement of praise and thanks to Him who has made a covenant with you to be your God as He is Isaiah's God -- and even more so, because He lives in you.

 

6. Read Isaiah 26:1-9, 13.

A.    What is God saying to you in verses 3-4?  How can you live in His perfect peace -- that "peace that passeth all understanding"?  (See Phil. 4:4-7)

 

 

B.    (Personal) Are Isaiah's words in verses 8-9 the expression of your heart also?  If so, speak and write these words back to God in your own words. Tell Him how much you love Him and long for Him and His fullness.

 

 

 

C. As long as we live in this world, other "masters" attempt to control us. We continually have to choose whom we serve. (Remember Matt. 6:24) Read verse 13 and state the one way we an live victoriously under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
 

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SUGGESTED HYMN:   My Jesus I love Thee

 Next: Lesson 39: Holy in God