The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Micah 6:1-2,
"Listen to what the Lord says: 'Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. Hear, you mountains, the Lord's accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.'"
The Lord tells Micah to proclaim his indictment, his charge against Israel before all creation. The message of Micah's prophecy is not for Israel alone but for all mankind to hear. As God's chosen people, the descendants of Abraham, God's covenant people, the acts of Israel are an indictment of all mankind. The collective sinful nature of the Israelites is no different than the collective sinful nature of mankind as a whole. The Lord uses the nation of Israel to instruct all mankind.
"Listen to what the Lord says: 'Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. Hear, you mountains, the Lord's accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.'"
The Lord tells Micah to proclaim his indictment, his charge against Israel before all creation. The message of Micah's prophecy is not for Israel alone but for all mankind to hear. As God's chosen people, the descendants of Abraham, God's covenant people, the acts of Israel are an indictment of all mankind. The collective sinful nature of the Israelites is no different than the collective sinful nature of mankind as a whole. The Lord uses the nation of Israel to instruct all mankind.
What God communicates through his interaction with Israel is that all mankind has a problem with sin, and all need salvation. God expresses through the nation of Israel to all mankind the concepts of justice, righteousness, his love, his forgiveness and his program of redemption.
Was it the Jews who killed Jesus or the Gentiles? Something of an absurd question since it was sinful man, acting in his sin that put our Lord on that cross. Prompted by the spiritual dark forces in an effort to terminate Jesus impact in the world, mankind put him to death. Likewise, prompted by the love of God and the requirements of his sense of justice, in order to secure forgiveness of sins and entrance into God's family, the sins of all mankind put Jesus on the cross as well.
All mankind. All mankind is sinful, all mankind is rebellious. All mankind is in need of the Savior. Consequently the history of God's interaction with the Jews becomes God's message to all mankind. As such it is not surprising that God tells Micah to proclaim his indictment of Israel to the whole world. God's indictment of Israel is representative of his indictment of all mankind. Therefore, Micah's message is a message for all mankind for all ages.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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