Micah 7:14-20, Salvation in the Prophets (4)

Hosea prophesied in the days leading up to the reign of Hezekiah, to both Israel and Judah.  Isaiah (primarily Judah) and Micah (both kingdoms) prophesied in a slightly later time-frame.  Zechariah is the lone post-exile prophet in this list.

Hosea 1:7: Israel saved--not by bow, sword, battle, horses, horsemen but the Lord

Hosea 13:4: Israel was to acknowledge no God, no Savior but LORD

Hosea 13:10: where is your king that he may save you?

Hosea 14:3: Assyria cannot save Israel

Oba 1:21: Deliverers will go up on Mt Zion to govern Esau

·       Micah 7:7: Micah waits in hope, waits for God my Savior

There is only one use but it is strategic in Micah.  And from Micah we learn the wonderful breadth of the term “salvation,” as involving both Israel’s physical deliverances as well as the spiritual deliverance involving atonement and the forgiveness of sins.  Having specifically detailed Migdol Eder (tower of the flock, near Bethlehem, 4:6-8) and Bethlehem-Ephrata (5:2-5a), which obviously are critical to Messiah’s atoning work, he then reminds Israel of the classic picture of salvation (from Egypt, 6:4), amazing Messianic prophecies of Balaam (6:5), as well as the grievous sins of Ahab that had become the sins of Judah, and that were the reason for the upcoming chastening of the Lord through the Assyrians and Babylonians (6:16).  So Jesus is promised to Israel, yet the lengthy delay because of sin is acknowledged. Thus Israel must “wait for the God of my salvation” (7:7).  When God does save it will include not only deliverance of the nation from captivity but also atonement, forgiveness, and the restoration of “emeth” (truth, faithfulness) and “checed” (mercy, lovingkindness, steadfast love) (v18-20).

Hab 1:2: How long must Habakkuk cry out "Violence" but God doesn't save

·       Hab 3:13: God comes to deliver people, save his anointed one

·       Hab 3:18: I will be joyful in God my Savior

Habakkuk prophesied in days before the Babylonians took Judah captive.  His message of salvation emphasized the need to trust God (2:4 is quoted in the NT).

Zep 3:17: The LORD your God is w/you, mighty to save, takes great delight in you, will quiet you w/his love, rejoice over you w/singing!!!!

Zep 3:19: God to rescue the lame

Zec 8:7: LORD Almighty says, "I will save my people"

Zec 8:13: Judah, object of cursing among nations, to be saved by Lord

Zec 9:9: "See you king comes to you righteous & having salvation..."

Zec 9:16: Lord will save Israel on that day as a flock of his people

Zec 10:6: God to strengthen house of Judah, save house of Joseph

Zec 12:7: Lord to save the dwellings of Judah first