Did you see Skyfall, the last installment of the James Bond series? Do you remember the culminating fight at Bond’s family estate in Scotland? Do you remember the vintage Aston Martin being destroyed? I must admit, I winced some when that happened. I wondered for a moment if that was a real Aston Martin. Then I assumed it was a mock-up, model, or CGI creation. It would be hard to fathom, at least for me, a beautifully restored Aston Martin being blown up. Of course, others could care less if it was real and obliterated. “What’s so special about a car that you concern yourself with whether or not it’s blown to bits?”
Perhaps Micah was similarly incredulous when God gave a word of hope to Israel after having excoriated them for their idolatry and social depravity (chapter 3). Yahweh had, for all intents and purposes, consigned them to the junk yard (3:12). But now he was promising that he would fully restore them, bringing them back to their former glory (chapter 4). Why? What’s so special about them?
The love that God had for Israel is undeniable. He acted again and again to keep them from being utterly removed from the face of the earth. The reason? He had a purpose for them that reached beyond their borders and bloodline. From Israel he would bring the Redeemer who would preside over a kingdom marked by truth, justice, and peace, a kingdom of restored humanity that would shine bright and beautiful like some remade vintage sports car.
The knowledge of God’s determined end affected Micah. He understood that if God resolved to bring this about (4:4), then all who “walked in the name of the LORD our God,” would have a place in that glorious kingdom (4:5). And knowing that that is what will be, then that is what should be, even now.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, covetousness, greed, injustice, falsehood, indeed, all that brings the judgment of God upon his creation, must be put far away from his elect. We’re not yet fully restored, but the rust, decayed upholstery, and faded paint are continually being removed until in the new heavens and earth we will be a thing of beauty, a testimony to his mercy, grace, and life-giving power.
