Cleave Unto Him

A man may begin well and yet stumble by joining himself to the wicked. Jehoshaphat strengthened Judah, sent teachers through the land, and walked in the fear of the Lord; yet when he made common cause with Ahab, honor and abundance became a snare. Good beginnings do not excuse careless companionship. To love peace is one thing; to bind yourself to deceit is another. The false prophets were many, the faithful witness one, and the word of judgment stood firm though it was hated. As Tertullian says, "After the Lord your God you shall go, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and serve Him, and cleave unto Him."

Micah teaches us how the righteous speak when the land is crooked and judgment has begun. He does not excuse himself, nor does he despair. He confesses sin, accepts the Lord’s indignation, waits for vindication, and looks for light. This is the church’s path in a perverse generation: not pride, not panic, but repentance joined to steadfast hope. God sees the nets men spread, the bribes they take, the brother they betray; He also sees the one who fears Him and will not consent.

Yet the last word is not wrath. The prophet ends where every penitent must end: at the mercy of God. Tertullian says, "Concerning the forgiveness of sins, Micah also says: Who is a God like You? pardoning iniquity, and passing by the transgressions of the remnant of Your heritage. He retains not His anger as a testimony against them, because He delights in mercy." Therefore cleave to God without mixture, receive His rebuke without complaint, and do not trade truth for the favor of powerful men.