Desired Clusters

"Woe is me!  for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the first ripe fruit."  (Micah 7:1)  The prophet, Micah, is, in the last chapter of his book, bemoaning the loss of godly men. However, as he meditates on the known goodness of His God, he has hope.  Much like Jeremiah in chapter three of Lamentations, he remembers, therefore he has hope.  And like all true prophets of God, when they take advantage of time spent with God, know that hope is certain.  God's word, above everything, is all anyone can ever hope to expect to be their fulfillment and peace and thus their hope.

Hope is what keeps our faith and foundation secure while we live on this uncertain earth.  And at a time like a pandemic, when we are not able to meet together with others of like mind, it is of the utmost importance to stay in the Word.  There is nothing new under the sun and the Word of God is a resource of encouragement of how godly men of the past rested under adverse circumstances.  The prophet, Micah, was a man just like us, living in a time of confusion, fear, and ungodliness.  As he comes to the end of his prophecy, he cries, "woe is me."  Why?  His hope is shaken.  The godly men are scarce.  He has little camaraderie.

Sounds familiar as our churches cannot meet.  But we do have technology!  I have bemoaned it (technology) much.  But God has used it to encourage us in so many ways during this uncertain time.  And as Micah bemoans the lack of men to which he can talk, we may not be able to meet, but we can talk.  Email, texts, phone, you tube, and livestream have been a great encouragement to me.  Micah had none of that and his complaint is heartbreaking.

Israel and Judah should have been a fruitful vine, full of clusters, yet they were barren.  There was no cluster to eat.  Micah longed for the delight of discourse with godly men.  It's a godly man's encouragement in the pains of life.  Matthew Poole writes in his explanation of Micah's "woe": "Such good converse would as much delight, refresh, and encourage me, as a fair cluster of grapes doth a thirsty and hungry person, but there is not one such cluster."  No desired cluster of discourse for Micah's woe.  He does, however, rest in God's promises by the end of the chapter.

We, above many, have rest as well.  Yes, let us praise God for the times we live, in which we can enjoy the benefits of technology.  But remember, it is the Word of God that is the root of any encouragement.  God is the source of all good things, and it's Him, from which all our encouragement will ever make us the resolute and godly people we must be to be used as lights in this darkness.  And this, above all things, is our work.  This is, indeed, our fulfilling rest.