Micah 6:16
16 You have observed the statutes of Omri
and all the practices of Ahab’s house;
you have followed their traditions.
Therefore I will give you over to ruin
and your people to derision;
you will bear the scorn of the nations.’
Yesterday we saw one set of consequences of the people’s rejection of God - they will experience frustration and futility, as they lose the blessings God had intended them to enjoy in the Promised Land. Here we see another consequence of their rebellion; they will be publicly disgraced. Again, at first glance it seems to be a fitting punishment for their crimes - they have treated their fellow-Israelites with contempt by stealing their inheritance. So perhaps it’s right that they should feel the contempt of the nations around them. But, just like in yesterday’s verses, there’s more to it than that.
God’s purpose in choosing a nation of people to belong to him was never simply so that they should be blessed. Rather, his people were supposed to be a public demonstration of how wonderful it is to know God and live with him as Lord. As they lived in the Promised Land, obeying the law which reflected God’s goodness, justice and love, the watching nations would see something of God’s character and be drawn to him. Moses looks ahead to this when he says, in Deuteronomy 4, that when Israel obeys God’s commands, the nations will say ““Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
But here we see the opposite. Israel has not listened to their Lord. They have instead followed the ways of King Omri and King Ahab - kings with the dubious distinction of being more wicked than any who had come before them. They have thrown away the blessings that they could have enjoyed. None of the surrounding nations is looking on saying “What wise people those Israelites are.” Quite the opposite. They’re much more likely to have said “See what a mess they’ve made of things. They thought they were God’s chosen ones but they’re just the same as everyone else. And they’re about to get invaded by Assyria. Not so special now, are you?!”
We too deserve the scorn of those around us. We’ve heard God speak, we know how good and gracious he is, and yet we so often think we know better and choose to go our own way instead of following him. Our sin is so obviously foolish. So let’s praise Jesus that he was willing to bear the scorn and disgrace that should be ours, when he took that sin to the cross.
