Micah - Woe To The Oppressors

READ:

Micah 2:1-13 • Psalm 82:3 • John 3:17 • 2 Timothy 4:3-4 • Hebrews 13:3

What main sin is addressed in 2:1-2? Give examples of modern-day oppression? How does God see

oppression? As followers of Christ, is there anything we can do about oppression throughout the world?

How were the oppressors characterized in 2:1-2? Are we just as guilty of oppression simply because we

are apathetic or unaware of the effects of oppression throughout our world? Does proclaiming the gospel

reduce oppression?

Why do you think God’s judgement often leads to restoration? Is there hope of restoration even for the

vilest sinner? How does Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection result in restoration for believers?

Why were the false prophets trying to silence Micah’s message? What was their defense? Why do some

pastors today attempt to “tickle the ears” of their listeners? Why is it important that we sit under teachers who preach the full counsel of God’s Word? Why is it important that we try to understand the full character of God? Is God unloving because of His justice and wrath? Why or why not?

What is the promise of the remanent that will be delivered from exile? Explain your understanding of God scattering in judgment and gathering in mercy? Why does this give us hope today?

What is the identity of the Shepherd-King who opened the breach and leads the people out of exile? How did this “King” offer hope to Israel in Micah’s day...and to us today?

DISCUSS:

Do you ever find yourself in situations similar to the oppressors in verse 1 where you plan to sin? What can we do to replace planning to sin with planning to do what is good and right?

What biblical instruction can you reference regarding our responsibility when our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in oppressed parts of the world face persecution? What is our responsibility?

Like those in Micah’s day, we have a tendency to seek teachers and counselors who tell us what we want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). How is this a sign of the end times? How can we guard ourselves against such tendencies?

How does seeing Jesus as our “Deliverer” help us understand His role as Savior and King?

PRAY:

Remember (pray for) those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated (oppressed), since you also are in the body. -Hebrews 13:3

RESPOND:

Identify one thing you can do this week to support those who face social and/or religious oppression.

Sermon Notes
Micah - do justice • love kindness • walk humbly

Part 2 – Woe to Oppressors Micah 2:1-13

The word, woe, was a word used by those who were mourning someone who had died. One translation of the word, woe, means, “you who are as good as dead.”

Oppression is a combination of prejudice and unjust power that results in the mistreatment, discrimination, or opposition of specific groups of people.

1.6 billion people or 23% of the world’s population face severe oppression from exercising some of their most basic rights such as freedom of speech and religion.
- LiveScience – livescience.com, Measuring Freedom and Repression – April 25, 2022

QUOTE:

All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burk. God's justice is higher than just revenge. It also seeks to restore that which was lost.

Christian Persecution by the Numbers (2021):

Over 360 million Christians experienced high levels of persecution and discrimination.

5110 churches and other Christian buildings attacked/destroyed.

5,898 Christians were killed for their faith.

- Open Doors USA - https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution - Christian Persecution – April 25, 2022

If we want to know the full character of God, we must also want to know the full counsel of His Word.

Where there is promise of a remnant there is also promise of a future with God.

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