Saturday 08 September 2018
- Bible Book:
- Micah
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel … (v. 2)
Psalm: Psalm 45
Background
The preceding passages have pointed to various ways that we seek to be fully committed to God. We can try and follow the laws, we can put God first, we can try and obey the ruler appointed by God, but here Micah points us to the coming Messiah. Until this event happens Israel will be ‘abandoned’ and a greater people of God will emerge when “the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel” (v. 3).
Micah points to a future when God’s people will have a “shepherd” and will “live securely” as the Messiah “will be great to the ends of the earth” (v. 4). It’s a very attractive version today, and must have been all the more so in Micah’s generation when the city of Jerusalem was under siege (v. 1). In the Kingdom of God where the norms are inverted, the mighty (Jerusalem) look for salvation from the weak (Bethlehem).
Like the people of Israel we can attempt to have a relationship with God based on our obedience to God’s law. And like the people of Israel we can only get so far. Even if we don’t spectacularly fail, we will still inevitably come up short. We need a Saviour. And God’s grace enables us to know God through knowing Jesus. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
To Ponder
- How possible is it to ever please God by following the Law?
- Is it possible for absolutely anyone to respond to God’s grace? Why?
- What are we doing to help others make their response to God?