Monday 19 July 2010

Background

Every society needs its critics, such as the free press,parliamentary opposition or citizens groups. In Old Testament timesthe prophets performed this role. If they saw a shortfall betweenpeople's beliefs and their behaviour they would challenge them tochange their ways.

Micah was a prophet in the 8th century BC - a time of greatpolitical upheaval. He was partly contemporary with Hosea andIsaiah of Jerusalem (Isaiah chapters 1-39). He is also mentioned inthe book of Jeremiah (26:18).

The 8th century prophets were different from their predecessorsbecause they were the first to have their messages recorded atlength. This was because they had a startling message for theircontemporaries: they couldn't take their relationship with God forgranted. The agreement made at Sinai was conditional and if theterms weren't fulfilled, the people would be destroyed. This was ashock to those who saw the king and the Temple in Jerusalem asguarantees of divine favour and protection. When the prophets'predictions came true, and the northern kingdom of Israel wasdestroyed by Assyria, their words gained authority and wererecorded for future generations.

Micah chapter 6 is mostly in the form of alawsuit. This is a common literary genre in the prophetic books ofthe Old Testament. God, as accuser and judge, indicts and sentencesthe people. God has kept the contract made with them: rescuing themfrom slavery in Egypt, providing them with leaders, and enablingthem to overcome the enemies they met on the way to the PromisedLand of Canaan (verses 3-5). Yet the people haven't responded withgratitude or devotion. Instead they ask how they can win God'sfavour through their worship.

Micah says that God has already told them what they must do: bejust, kind and humble.

To Ponder

Who do you think has a prophetic role to playtoday? How might this be achieved?

How helpful is it to think of a relationship withGod as a contract? In what way?