◄ Micah 2:7 ►
Should it be said, O house of Jacob, "Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient? Are these the things He does?" Do not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly?
Study Bible
Should it be said, O house of Jacob
This phrase addresses the people of Israel, often referred to as the "house of Jacob," highlighting their identity as descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. This term emphasizes their covenant relationship with God, reminding them of their heritage and responsibilities. The prophets often used "house of Jacob" to call the people back to faithfulness, as seen in Isaiah 2:5 and Jeremiah 2:4.

“Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient?
This rhetorical question challenges the people's perception of God's character. The Spirit of the LORD is often associated with patience, mercy, and long-suffering, as seen in Exodus 34:6. The question implies that the people have misunderstood God's nature, suggesting that their actions, rather than God's character, are the cause of their troubles. This reflects a common prophetic theme where the people's sins lead to their suffering, not God's impatience.

Are these the things He does?”
This phrase questions whether the current circumstances align with God's usual actions. It implies that the people's experiences of judgment and hardship are not typical of God's dealings with those who are faithful. This echoes the sentiment found in Lamentations 3:33, where it is stated that God does not willingly bring affliction. The rhetorical nature of the question suggests that the people should reflect on their actions and relationship with God.

Do not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly?
This statement affirms the consistent biblical principle that obedience to God's word results in blessing and favor. It contrasts the experiences of the righteous with those of the wicked, as seen in Psalm 1:1-3. The phrase underscores the importance of living according to God's commandments, promising that those who do so will experience His goodness. This reflects the covenantal blessings outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for those who follow God's laws.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Micah
A prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah delivered messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah and Israel.

2. House of Jacob
Refers to the descendants of Jacob, representing the nation of Israel, particularly the people of Judah in this context.

3. The Spirit of the LORD
Represents God's presence and power, often associated with His guidance, judgment, and comfort.

4. Upright Walkers
Those who live righteously and follow God's commandments, receiving His blessings and favor.

5. Judah and Israel
The divided kingdoms during Micah's time, both facing impending judgment due to their disobedience and injustice.
Teaching Points
God's Patience and Justice
God's Spirit is not impatient; rather, He is just and patient, desiring repentance and righteousness from His people. We should trust in His timing and justice.

The Power of God's Word
God's words are life-giving and beneficial to those who live according to His will. We should immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions.

Walking Uprightly
Living righteously is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing justice, mercy, and humility. Our daily walk should reflect God's character and commands.

Self-Examination
We must regularly examine our lives to ensure we align with God's standards, seeking His guidance and correction where needed.

Encouragement in Righteous Living
Despite challenges, those who walk uprightly can be assured of God's goodness and support. We should encourage one another in our faith journeys.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the patience of God's Spirit influence your perspective on His justice and timing in your life?

2. In what ways can you ensure that God's words are bringing good into your life through your actions and decisions?

3. Reflect on a time when living uprightly brought about a positive change or blessing in your life. How can this encourage you to continue in righteousness?

4. How can you incorporate regular self-examination into your spiritual routine to align more closely with God's standards?

5. What practical steps can you take to encourage others in your community to walk uprightly and experience the goodness of God's words?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 55:11
This verse emphasizes the power and purpose of God's word, similar to how Micah 2:7 highlights the positive impact of God's words on those who live righteously.

Psalm 1:1-3
Describes the blessings of those who walk uprightly, paralleling the promise in Micah 2:7 that God's words bring good to the righteous.

James 1:22-25
Encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, aligning with the call in Micah 2:7 for upright living to receive God's goodness.
Sermons
An Upright Man Reaps the Full Benefit of God's WordJ. Fawcit.Micah 2:7
God's TruthHomilistMicah 2:7
God's TruthD. Thomas Micah 2:7
God's Word Good to the UprightJoseph Parker, D. D.Micah 2:7
Is the Spirit of the Lord StraitenedA. Maclaren, D. D.Micah 2:7
Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?Charles Haddon Spurgeon Micah 2:7
Judgment, God's Strange Work; Mercy, His DelightE.S. Prout Micah 2:7
The Bible Vindicated by its Good EffectsMicah 2:7
The Criminality and Folly of Limiting the Holy SpiritD. Fraser, D. D.Micah 2:7
The Holy Spirit not StraitenedJ. M. Sherwood, D. D.Micah 2:7
The Influence of the SpiritB. Beddome, M. A.Micah 2:7
The Plenitude of the Holy Spirit's InfluenceEssex RemembrancerMicah 2:7
The Privileges of the UprightJ. H. Evans, M. A.Micah 2:7
The Social Evils of Christendom are not Sanctioned by the BibleJohn Blackburn.Micah 2:7
The Spirit of the Lord not StraitenedA. L. R. Foote.Micah 2:7
The Straitened SpiritW. D. Horwood.Micah 2:7
The Straitened SpiritGeorge Hutcheson.Micah 2:7
Upright WalkingRobert Bickersteth, B. A.Micah 2:7
Why is the Spirit StraitenedSamuel Charles Wilks, M. A.Micah 2:7
People
Jacob, Micah
Places
Adullam
Topics
Angry, Benefit, Blamelessly, Change, Doings, Impatient, Jacob, Named, O, Quickly, Shortened, Spirit, Straitened, Upright, Uprightly, Walketh, Walking, Walks
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Micah 2:7

     3272   Holy Spirit, in OT
     8442   good works

Library
Christ the Breaker
'The Breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.'--MICAH ii. 13. Micah was contemporary with Isaiah. The two prophets stand, to a large extent, on the same level of prophetic knowledge. Characteristic of both of them is the increasing clearness of the figure of the personal Messiah, and the increasing fulness of detail with which His functions are described. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?
'O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the Lord straitened? Are these His doings?'--MICAH ii. 7. The greater part of so-called Christendom is to-day[1] celebrating the gift of a Divine Spirit to the Church; but it may well be asked whether the religious condition of so-called Christendom is not a sad satire upon Pentecost. There seems a woful contrast, very perplexing to faith, between the bright promise at the beginning and the history of the development in the future. How few …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
THERE MAY BE SOME who think they can convert the world by philosophy; that they can renew the heart by eloquence; or that, by some witchcraft of ceremonies, they can regenerate the soul; but we depend wholly and simply and alone on the Spirit of God. He alone worketh all our works in us; and in going forth to our holy service we take with us no strength, and we rely upon no power, except that of the Spirit of the Most High. When Asher's foot was dipped in oil, no wonder he left a foot-mark wherever …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: The nature of inspiration] Since the days of the Greek philosophers the subject of inspiration and revelation has been fertile theme for discussion and dispute among scholars and theologians. Many different theories have been advanced, and ultimately abandoned as untenable. In its simplest meaning and use, inspiration describes the personal influence of one individual upon the mind and spirit of another. Thus we often say, "That man inspired me." What we are or do under the influence …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Standing with the People
We have found two simple and axiomatic social principles in the fundamental convictions of Jesus: The sacredness of life and personality, and the spiritual solidarity of men. Now confront a mind mastered by these convictions with the actual conditions of society, with the contempt for life and the denial of social obligation existing, and how will he react? How will he see the duty of the strong, and his own duty? DAILY READINGS First Day: The Social Platform of Jesus And he came to Nazareth, where …
Walter Rauschenbusch—The Social Principles of Jesus

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Micah
Micah must have been a very striking personality. Like Amos, he was a native of the country--somewhere in the neighbourhood of Gath; and he denounces with fiery earnestness the sins of the capital cities, Samaria in the northern kingdom, and Jerusalem in the southern. To him these cities seem to incarnate the sins of their respective kingdoms, i. 5; and for both ruin and desolation are predicted, i. 6, iii. 12. Micah expresses with peculiar distinctness the sense of his inspiration and the object …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Micah 2:7 NIV
Micah 2:7 NLT
Micah 2:7 ESV
Micah 2:7 NASB
Micah 2:7 KJV

Micah 2:7 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Micah 2:6
Top of Page
Top of Page