The Unstoppable Forgiveness of God

Setting The Scene

Imagine a setting filled to the brim with corruption, injustice, and spiritual chaos. This is what the prophet Micah was facing around the 8th century BC. Israel was divided from Judah, their leaders exploiting the poor, and the people had begun to turn to idols. In the face of all that mess, Micah does not bring just doom and gloom. He closes his book with the powerful promise of God's forgiveness.

The meaning of Micah's name, "Who is like God?", is quite indicative of the thematic development throughout the book. Nobody can be likened to God for His mercies, compassions, and unstoppable loves. If ever the world is plunging in darkness, God's forgiveness shines forth like the North Star.

Who Is A God Like You

In Micah 7:18, the phrase “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity?” uses the Hebrew word נֹשֵׂא (nasa), which means "to lift up" or "carry away." This word is not just some casual way to say, “I forgive you.” Rather, it’s an intentional act of removing the weight of sin from you.

In the very next line, we see a glimpse of a kind of love that only God can show toward humans who find it hard to obey Him. Micah says, “He does not retain His anger forever.” The Hebrew word used here is הֶחֱזִיק (hechazik), which comes from the root word חָזַק (chazaq). It means “to hold onto.”

What does all this mean?

It means that while God could hold onto anger, He chooses to let it go. Why? Because of חֶסֶד (hesed). Hesed is an other important Hebrew that means God’s absolute, loyal, unchanging, committed love.

Sound familiar? It should. This is the love that leads to His ability to forgive us even when we don't deserve it.

The forgiveness theme gets even stronger in verse 19. The phrase “He will again have compassion on us.” uses the Hebrew word, רָחַם (racham). This word describes a deep, ongoing compassion. It’s like a well of water that keeps filling up. It can't run dry.

Next, Micah shows us how God “will tread our iniquities underfoot.” The Hebrew word here is כָּבַשׁ (kabash). This word shows how God is actively stomping sin’s power over us.

Can you think of another time in the Bible where sin was stomped?

Remember Genesis 3 when God told Eve that her “seed would crush the head” of the Serpent. Micah is asking readers to remember back to the promise of a future seed, Jesus, who would once and for all defeat sin.

Finally, we see one more dramatic statement: “You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” The word שָׁלַךְ (shalach) which means “to throw,” with forceful. Imagine tossing a heavy stone into deep water. What happens? it sinks fast and disappears. That’s exactly what happens to sin when He shalach sin into the depths. Once thrown in, it’s gone for good.

Bring It Home

Micah 7:18-19 shows us a God who isn’t just willing to forgive, He delights in doing so. His love is fierce, actively crushing sin, and casting it away for good.

Is there a burden of guilt you’re still carrying? How might remembering God’s unstoppable mercy help you release that weight?

As you go about your day, remember God’s Hesed for you. He’s always ready to free you from sin’s grip.