As we draw to the end of the first section of Isaiah’s prophecies (chapters 1-12), we enter into a theme in his writing that will surface again and again. Issues of judgment take backstage but they are always there. Yet the covenant keeping LORD will bring new hope into this abysmal set of circumstances.
Read More justice, hope, covenant keepingWhat many see as the conclusion of the first section of Isaiah is nothing less than a great song of affirmation about the covenant keeping LORD.
Notice the two sections of the doxology, marked by the repeated expression, “at that time.” (v. 1 and 4).
Read More Covenant keeping LordAn Old Testament time line is needed in order for us to make sense of where Micah fits into the story. The book offers no personal data about the prophet whose name means, “Who is like Yahweh?” (See the “play on his name” in 7:18). The text begins (1:1) by identifying Micah with the small town of Moresheth, 35 to 40 kilometres south west of Jerusalem in the region of Shephelah among the foothills of Judah.
Read More prophecyReading this section helps us to see that Micah’s message is quite clear. He dissects the external and internal crises of Jerusalem and Samaria by speaking to four different audiences about the inner spiritual connection of their crises. The four groups are the political establishment (princes, elders, and military officials), the judicial powers, the religious establishment (including priests and prophets) and the rich landowners.
Read More covenantThe inner structure of the book begins to take shape. It reads like a case brought before the court, using a literary device referred to as a rib. The first case is chapters 1-5. As we have seen in the first three chapters, the case presented includes the consequences of not following God.
Read More promises, judgment
The first judicial case comes to an abrupt conclusion in this chapter. Although the text has long given commentators interpretive dilemmas, the prophetic, yet apocalyptic language, gave the first readers an imminent expectation. From Bethlehem would come hope and deliverance (v. 2-3) in the most majestic ways imaginable (v. 4-5a).
Read More Bethlehem, hopeThe second legal case (6:1-5) begins with the accusation of corporate ingratitude and the emptiness of the people’s religious rituals (6:6-8). Justice and loyalty are absent (6:9-7:6). Once again, the rib concludes with the certainty of pardon (7:7-20).
The first section of the litigation is a dialogue between the LORD and the people (Micah is the spokesperson).
Read More mercy, justice, humilityThe tragedy of the second half of Micah 6 (guilty as charged!), leads to lament (7:1-6). “I feel so empty inside!” (v. 1) says the author. No harvest, no godly persons; only murderers, corruption and collusion, family discord – all utter despair.
Read More compassion, mercy
Coupled with parallel texts on Ahaz’s life (Isaiah 7-8 and 2 Chronicles 28), it is not hard to enumerate all the ways this king offended God. Take a moment to review the texts and make a list of the various ways that Ahaz deviated from the prescribed instructions of God. Little wonder that verse 2 says that he was not at all like King David.
Read More following GodOur focus today goes back to the Northern Kingdom and its capital, Samaria. Imagine Hosea did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not like the kings who preceded him (v. 2). In effect, he would be the last ruler of Israel (v. 5-6). What Moses had foreseen in Deuteronomy 27-30 was going to happen.
Read More disobedience, consequences