If you look in a Bible, most
translations show the book of Micah written in verse. It is poetry.
Micah was a prophet in the time of
the divided kingdom. Many prophets only spoke to either Israel or Judah, but
Micah speaks to both nations. And his message, as with all the prophets is: God
is judging you, and you are not living in ways that please God, watch out, because
of your lack of faithfulness, something bad will happen. And like most
prophets, Micah balances this message of judgement and consequences with a message
of hope and God’s continuing faithfulness.
Micah spoke out about the
injustice he saw. The book of Micah gives a message of judgement against the
oppressors, who were the rich and powerful. He speaks of the punishment of God
for both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Some thought Jerusalem would never
fall, that the southern Kingdom would remain untouched by the turmoil that
engulfed the Northern kingdom. The Northern Kingdom was invaded in 735 BCE and
the people scattered in 721 BCE. Micah spoke of the judgement of God, even
against the temple practices which had become self-serving. Micah also speaks
of the salvation of a remnant of Israel.[i]
Micah was warning people of the
consequences of their behaviour. When leaders do not live justly, or fairly. When
some have more then enough, and others are starving.
In chapter 5, we hear of a new
ruler who will come from Bethlehem, another country town of no importance, just
like the one that Micah lived in. At that time the powerful and the religious
leaders were based in Jerusalem, not some country outpost. A new ruler who will
be the one of peace. For the people who first heard these words, Bethlehem was
associated with David, the great King, the one who was King when Israel was
undivided, when Israel was in its golden age. Bethlehem was also not part of
the establishment in terms of the seat of power. For the people who first heard this, both
points would be important, the new ruler will come from the house of David, and
the new ruler will not be part of the oppressive and corrupt regime that ruled
from Jerusalem.
Then we get to chapter 6.
Sections of this book are written
as a court case with God as the prosecutor and judge, with the creation as
witnesses, against the people. God is challenging the way the leaders are
treating the people. Here in chapter six, God is asking –
what have I done to you?
why do you treat me and my people like this?
what have I done to you?
why do you treat me and my people like this?
and again, we hear of Gods
activity in the history of the people, the foundational story of the exodus,
and the saving action of God.
in verses 6-7, there is this
cascading of sacrifices. will God be pleased with a burnt offering of a
yearling? – this refers to the standard offering mentioned in Leviticus.
Or maybe to please God I need to
be overly and impossibly extravagant – 1,000 rams?
10,000 rivers of oil?
my fist born?
One commentator suggests that this
is sarcasm – God is having a go at people who are trying to outdo each other in
their sacrifices. another suggests that God is pained by the excess. Either
way, this is poetry and there is probably some poetic licence in here. The people Micah was relating to, would also
be aware of child sacrifice in nearby places – so these sacrifices or offerings
to God may be outrageous, but not all are impossible.
But God isn’t interested in
wealth, certainly not at the expense of the poor and the hungry, nor in child sacrifice.
Looking around the world today we
can think of plenty of places where corruption flourishes, countries which
require a payment or bribe to get approval for a project; countries where
people are oppressed by a wealthy or powerful elite; places where life is
cheap, expendable, where people are bought and sold in the open.
Micah wrote that the three things to
please God are not sacrifices, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to
walk humbly with your God.
What might that look like? It is
such a simple sentence: do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly
with your God.
But it is not always easy to do.
I wonder what Micah would make of
our modern times.
Where some people accessing help from
agencies like Foodbank, are employed, but in low paying jobs.
I wonder what Micah would make of the
way our politicians speak to each other, or broadcasters, or commentators.
I wonder what Micah would say
about children being hungry, people being homeless, young people not being able
to find steady work.
I wonder what Micah would say about
our economic system that means those with money, or health insurance, get
quicker treatment; or a nation that worships sport and sunshine; or a nation
that wants to win at all costs.
I wonder what Micah would make of
our modern times.
And I wonder who the Micahs of our
time are.
Maybe it is the young people in
the USA protesting for stronger gun control, so that they can go to school without
fearing another mass murder.
Maybe it the environmentalists showing
the world the effect of changing climate, particularly on Pacific Island
Nations.
Maybe it is groups like Love Makes
a Way, protesting to get asylum seekers off Nauru and Manus Island, many who have
been assessed as refugees.
Maybe it is the group, including the
Uniting Church, taking drug law reform to the Politicians, encouraging more places
for people to be able to be treated for their addiction.
Who are the Micahs of our day? -
speaking about the consequences of greed and self-centredness and apathy.
[the Message Micah 6: 8]
“But he’s already made it plain how to live,
what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously."
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously."
