Saturday 26 March 2011
- Bible Book:
- Micah
"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency." (v. 18)
Background
The prophet Micah ends his prophecy by affirming God'sfaithfulness to Israel and the consequent agony of the othernations that have made Israel's life so difficult. God's compassionand love is dependable and therefore the prophet can assure thepeople that the time is coming when they will receivejustice.
This could read as a passage of little relevance to anyone otherthan the people of ancient Israel. However, the Bible sets thisassurance in the context of a wider significance of what God'spurposes were in adopting Israel as the people of God. When Godpromised to Abraham that his offspring would be a nation, thepeople of God (eg
The New Testament, and particularly St Paul, makes it clear thatthe implication of the coming of Jesus is that God's promises ofold now apply to those who, by their following of Jesus, are thepeople of God of today (eg
To Ponder
Shepherds (verse 14), were (and still are) acommon sight in Palestine. Their care for the flock makes them agood image for biblical writers of God's love for us. What roles inour society would serve as well to describe God's care for God'sown people?
The Bible often reflects, as Micah does here,that judgement and mercy sit uncomfortably together in the natureof God. That can often be true of ourselves as well, we oftenprefer judging than forgiving. How quick are you to judge?
How does this passage affect how you feel aboutthe current Israel Palestine conflict?
Read the passage again and every time that itspeaks of the blessings and assurances for the people - reflectthat you are included, if only you honestly and sincerely seek tobe a follower of Jesus. God's faithfulness is for us, as much as itwas for people long ago.