Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Micah 1:8-16

8 Because of this I will weep and wail;
I will go about barefoot and naked.
I will howl like a jackal
and moan like an owl.

9 For Samaria's wound is incurable; 

it has come to Judah. 

It has reached the very gate of my people, 

even to Jerusalem itself.

10 Tell it not in Gath; 

weep not at all. 

In Beth Ophrah 

roll in the dust.

11 Pass on in nakedness and shame, 

you who live in Shaphir. 

Those who live in Zaanan 

will not come out. 

Beth Ezel is in mourning; 

its protection is taken from you.

12 Those who live in Maroth writhe in pain, 

waiting for relief, 

because disaster has come from the LORD, 

even to the gate of Jerusalem.

13 You who live in Lachish,

harness the team to the chariot. 

You were the beginning of sin 

to Daughter Zion, 

for the transgressions of Israel 

were found in you.

14 Therefore you will give parting gifts 

to Moresheth Gath. 

The town of Akzib will prove deceptive 

to the kings of Israel.

15 I will bring a conqueror against you 

who live in Mareshah. 

The nobles of Israel 

will flee to Adullam.

16 Shave your head in mourning 

for the children in whom you delight; 

make yourself as bald as the vulture, 

for they will go from you into exile.

Questions to consider:

  • How does the prophet personally feel about the situation?
  • What is your attitude toward people and nations in obvious sin?
  • What is Micah’s appeal to the people (remember, shaving one’s head is a sign of mourning)?

Possibilities for prayer:

Micah has a pretty intense (and sad) message to convey to the people of Israel. Messages of condemnation are often the most difficult to give--it’s generally much easier to tell someone that you felt God was telling you that He’s pleased with you than it is to suggest that God might have some issues that He wants to work out with you. Maybe you haven’t yet had the experience of needing to convey a difficult message from God to someone(s) else, but that day may indeed come. Today, let’s ask God to give us grace for people in situations that pretty obviously need to be addressed, but let’s also ask for the courage to be speakers of truth into the lives of others--but truth that is covered in love.