Micah: Justice + MercySample

What Legacy Are You Building?

By Danny Saavedra

“Shave your head in mourning for the children in whom you delight; make yourself as bald as the vulture, for they will go from you into exile."  Micah 1:16 (NIV) 

One of the greatest fears in my adult life, something I wrestle with constantly and keeps me up at night, is the idea that my actions, decisions, parenting, and my sins will impact my kids’ lives. I struggle with the thought of what I say, think, and do today may hurt them or cause them any added difficulties or challenges throughout their lives. My hope and prayer is my life example leads them into a life of purpose, helps them discover their true identity in Christ, and helps them find belonging in the family of God.

Today’s verse, which closes out chapter 1, offers a painful call to action to the people of Judah and Israel. Micah basically tells the people to mourn deeply and intensely. Why? “Because your children will be forced to live in a foreign land,” (Micah 1:16 ICB) or put another way, “Your precious children will be dragged off to a foreign country” (Micah 1:16 ESV).

Generally speaking, even rotten, sinful people love their kids and desire what’s best for them (Matthew 7:11). Even those who don’t know the gospel of Jesus generally mourn, are burdened and heartbroken when their kids experience hardship and trauma.  

These people weren’t unbelievers; they were the people of God, and they had the Word of God! They had Deuteronomy 11:16–19 (NIV), which says, “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

What was their sin? “Is it not Samaria . . . Is it not Jerusalem?” (Micah 1:5 NIV). What does this mean? Well, the wickedness of Samaria is the worship of the golden calf of Samaria, and Jerusalem’s King Ahaz built an altar like that at Damascus and sacrificed on it INSIDE GOD’S HOLY TEMPLE.  

Friends, your actions have consequences beyond you. Your sins have weight that others often end up carrying. For the people of God in Micah, it was exile, oppression, and subjugation for their children. It was generations of people who didn’t truly know God or worship Him. May this never be said of us! May we be a people who pass on a legacy of faith to our children and not a legacy of sin and idolatry. 

Pause: How does what we say, think, and do impact others now and in the future?

Practice: Consider how your life is affecting the people around you. Are you drawing them closer to or further away from Jesus? What can you do to be more intentional about sharing the love and light of God with those you have influence over? 

Pray: Father, may I not lead anyone away from You. I pray Your light and Your Word would shine through me so others may glorify You and receive the grace of Your Son Jesus Christ! I pray You would use my life for the glory of Your kingdom and not build a legacy of devastation and hurt in the lives of my family and loved ones. Help me, oh God, and lead me! Amen.