He Will Again Have Compassion on Us – Micah 7:18-20

Though the Jews have been restored to their land, they have yet, as a nation, to embrace the true worship of Yahweh.  This return is evidence of God’s power and His desire to fulfill His promises, but part of that promise is also to tread Israel’s iniquities underfoot.  That is a necessary, but painful, step toward restoration.

18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?  He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.  19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.  20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.  (Micah 7:18-20)

Micah’s prophetic message comes to a close where it should, with an appeal to God, the God like whom there is no other, who pardons iniquity for His remnant.  Micah knows that because of God’s covenant with Israel He holds Israel accountable for her breaching of the covenant, but will always keep a remnant of believers who will form the basis for a restoration of Israel’s fortunes.  God will never finally abandon His people.

That means, as Micah sees, that God’s anger will not remain forever, but rather His compassion will win the day.  He will find a way to forgive, to cast our sins into the depths of the sea.

We know, of course, what Micah did not, that the day of salvation has come for Israel in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Messiah, and whose death secured forgiveness for Israel and for all who come to him to find steadfast love.  Even Gentiles have become the offspring of Abraham in the spiritual sense and have been able to partake of this steadfast love promised to Israel.

Gentiles who have believed in Jesus, and Jews as well, are not the new Israel now called the Church.  We are in Jesus, who is the true Israel, and through whom God will restore national Israel.  Paul describes it as Gentiles being grafted into Israel’s vine (Romans 11).  Gentiles get the blessings granted to Israel by means of being joined to Israel through Jesus.   They’re still Gentiles, and Israel is still the Jewish people.

What a plan!  Who is a God like Yahweh!  Who is a God like Jesus!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!   “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”  35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)