1. IN GOD’S EYES Sun, Feb 22

a. With what simple explanation was the prophet Micah bidden to summarize our duty toward God? Micah 6:8. “The words and law of God, written in the soul, and exhibited in a consecrated, holy life, have a powerful influence to convict the world. Covetousness, which is idolatry, and envy, and love of the world, will be rooted from the hearts of those who are obedient to Christ, and it will be their pleasure to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God. Oh, how much is comprised in this, walking humbly before God! The law of God, if written in the heart, will bring the mind and will into subjection to the obedience of Christ.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 201. b. How are we reminded about the need for sterling integrity? Micah 6:11. “A slight deviation from truth, a little variation from the requirements of God, is thought to be, after all, not so very sinful, when pecuniary gain or loss is involved. But sin is sin, whether committed by the possessor of millions or by the beggar in the streets. Those who secure property by false representations are bringing condemnation on their souls.”—Ibid., vol. 4, p. 311.

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2. OUR CONDITION VS. GOD’S GLORY Mon, Feb 23

a. What apt description is given of the condition of God’s professed people in Micah’s day? Micah 7:2–4. “This was indeed a time of great peril for the chosen nation. Only a few short years, and the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel were to be scattered among the nations of heathendom. And in the kingdom of Judah also the outlook was dark. The forces for good were rapidly diminishing, the forces for evil multiplying.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 324. b. What perspective helps us stay focused on our need for God? Micah 7:5–7; Psalm 60:11. c. Describe the precious hope all are privileged to grasp by faith. Micah 7:8, 9. “Heaven’s plan of salvation is broad enough to embrace the whole world. God longs to breathe into prostrate humanity the breath of life. And He will not permit any soul to be disappointed who is sincere in his longing for something higher and nobler than anything the world can offer. Constantly He is sending His angels to those who, while surrounded by circumstances the most discouraging, pray in faith for some power higher than themselves to take possession of them and bring deliverance and peace. In various ways God will reveal Himself to them and will place them in touch with providences that will establish their confidence in the One who has given Himself a ransom for all, ‘that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.’ Psalm 78:7.”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 377, 378. d. How does Micah plainly extol the character of God? Micah 7:18, 19. “Glorious truth!—just to His own law, and yet the Justifier of all that believe in Jesus.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 116.

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3. JUST, MERCIFUL, COMPLETE Tue, Feb 24

a. How can we summarize the perfect balance in God’s character? Nahum 1:3. “He who dwells in the heavenly sanctuary judges righteously. His pleasure is more in His people, struggling with temptation in a world of sin, than in the host of angels that surround His throne.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 176.“The long-suffering of God is wonderful. Long does justice wait while mercy pleads with the sinner.”—Ibid., p. 177. b. In realizing that the mercy of God is vital to our existence, of what else do we need to be continually mindful? Nahum 1:5–8. “God is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish; but His forbearance has a limit, and when the boundary is past, there is no second probation. His wrath will go forth and He will destroy without remedy.“When men, being in power, oppress and spoil their fellow men, and no earthly tribunal can be found to do justice, God will interpose in behalf of those who cannot defend themselves. He will punish for every act of oppression. No earthly wisdom can secure wrongdoers against the judgments of heaven. And when men put their trust in earthly powers instead of their Maker, when they become lifted up in pride and self-confidence, God will in His own time make them to be despised.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 946.“The world has become bold in transgression of God’s law. Because of His long forbearance, men have trampled upon His authority. They have strengthened one another in oppression and cruelty toward His heritage, saying, ‘How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?’ Psalm 73:11. But there is a line beyond which they cannot pass. The time is near when they will have reached the prescribed limit. Even now they have almost exceeded the bounds of the long-suffering of God, the limits of His grace, the limits of His mercy. The Lord will interpose to vindicate His own honor, to deliver His people, and to repress the swellings of unrighteousness.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 177, 178. c. How do we know that sin will not reappear in the new earth? Nahum 1:9.

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4. A MODERN SCENE Wed, Feb 25

a. What scene does Nahum depict as pointing to the last days before Christ’s return—and what should this make us consider as a priority in today’s fast-paced environment? Nahum 2:3, 4; John 9:4. “Sound an alarm through the land. Tell the people that the day of the Lord is near, and hasteth greatly. Let none be left unwarned. . . .“We have no time to lose. The powers of darkness are working with intense energy, and with stealthy tread Satan is advancing to take those who are now asleep, as a wolf taking his prey. We have warnings now which we may give, a work now which we may do, but soon it will be more difficult than we imagine. . . .“The coming of the Lord is nearer than when we first believed. The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us?“The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God, as He comes to punish the world for its iniquity. We are to prepare the way for Him by acting our part in getting a people ready for that great day.”—Evangelism, pp. 218, 219.“Every power lent us by God, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, is to be sacredly cherished to do the work assigned us for our fellow men who are perishing in their ignorance.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 180.“Every church member who has a knowledge of the truth is expected to work while the day lasts; for the night cometh, wherein no man can work.”—Ibid., vol. 9, p. 26. b. Describe the fate of all who reject God’s mercy—receiving His fury, as shown toward Nineveh in Assyria. Nahum 2:8–11. “With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps account with the nations. While His mercy is tendered, with calls to repentance, this account remains open; but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath begins. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. Mercy no longer pleads in their behalf.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 364.

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5. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF Thu, Feb 26

a. How is Assyria’s downfall depicted—and why is this especially relevant now? Nahum 3:7, 12, 13, 18, 19. “Great was the glory of the Assyrian realm; great was its downfall.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 365.“The pride of Assyria and its fall are to serve as an object lesson to the end of time. Of the nations of earth today who in arrogance and pride array themselves against Him, God inquires, ‘To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth.’ ”—Ibid., p. 366. b. How is a similar scene soon to occur? Revelation 18:7–11, 15–18. “[Revelation 18:11, 3, 15–17 quoted.] Such are the judgments that fall upon Babylon in the day of the visitation of God’s wrath. She has filled up the measure of her iniquity; her time has come; she is ripe for destruction.“When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people, there is a terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the great conflict of life. While probation continued they were blinded by Satan’s deceptions, and they justified their course of sin. The rich prided themselves upon their superiority to those who were less favored; but they had obtained their riches by violation of the law of God. They had neglected to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to deal justly, and to love mercy. They had sought to exalt themselves and to obtain the homage of their fellow creatures. Now they are stripped of all that made them great and are left destitute and defenseless. They look with terror upon the destruction of the idols which they preferred before their Maker.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 653, 654.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Feb 27

1. According to Micah 6:8, what three simple things are required of us? 2. Why only is there hope even for the worst sinner? 3. Why is humility a necessary virtue God values, especially today? 4. As many today are doomed to Nineveh’s fate, what should we prioritize? 5. In what sense does the fall of Babylon relate to a neglect of Micah 6:8?