Wednesday 28 May 2008
- Bible Book:
- Micah
"He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (v.19)
Background
This concluding passage from the book of Micah is part of afamiliar pattern within the prophecy of the 8th Century BC onwards.Like his contemporary prophets Isaiah and Hosea, Micah speaks intothe distress of the whole nation of Israel and offers the hope ofbeing restored and loved into life again. This theme resonatesthroughout these prophetic traditions. It is fulfilled in therenewed vision that emerges amongst the exiles in Babylon, whichsubsequently energises them for the eventual return toJerusalem.
Here the book of Micah ends on a crescendo of hope arising out ofGod's compassionate love. In the poetry of these words we can feelthe dead weight of history being lifted from shame-burdenedshoulders. Two Hebrew words light up the whole passage. Withoutthem it is difficult to imagine just how the people would have beenable to escape from their predicament.
- The word translated as "compassion" in verse 19 has its rootsin 'Rehem', meaning womb. This feminine image intimately evokes thetender compassion which is the very essence of God's nature. Thesense of divine compassion is akin to a mother's feeling for thebaby in her womb. It brings to mind a deep and enduring birth-bondbetween parent and child. It is upon this that the people relytotally.
- In verse 20 the word translated as "faithfulness" is rooted in'Hesed', which conveys the faithful, merciful loving kindness ofGod.
Together these two key facets in the people'sunderstanding of their relationship with God unlocks their freedom.Only by seeing God in this way can they feel released from thecrushing mistakes and misfortunes of their past.
It is through the personal and collective experiencing ofGod's compassion that the hopeful imagination is unlocked. Thefinal image of all our sins being cast into the depths of the seaat last puts them beyond reach. In the words of Brian Wren's hymn'I come with joy, to meet my Lord' (
To Ponder
In what part of your experience do you need to beloved into life again?
How might you release others from the weight oftheir past and help them to move on?
In what ways have you experienced compassion?What did it feel like?