So glad to have written a one-page refelction on this text for OT just two weeks ago. I share it with you becasue I am still exhuasted from Easter but am trying to live into my Good Friday call to blog.
In the story of the Tower of Babel (Gen 11.1-10) it becomes very clear that the idol of self-help is one that is despicable to God, and yet it seems that the people of God still hadn’t figured it out. In reading Micah we see a time when many different nations had built themselves up on their own self-interests. We see, in fact, a time when the nation of Judah, part of God’s chosen people, had chosen to rely on its own political capital rather than the God of their ancestors who had shown over and over again his authority over even the strongest of political powers. The Judgment of Jerusalem which precedes this pericope calls forth – once again – God’s people to be God’s people.
And then… And then, Micah shows that this judgment is not without grace. That if/when the people do return to God it will not be just God’s chosen people, but instead all those dispersed at the Tower of Babel will be brought together again at the mountain of the Lord in search of his way. The people who had for so long relied on themselves would again turn to the will of the Lord. This returning to the Lord will bring about the kingdom of peace which God had in mind from the beginning.
As we know, however, this returning to the Lord will not happen on this side of the Eschaton. As Christians we live in constant hope for the Kingdom of God. In this time of war, terrorism, natural disaster, and the general polarization of society we are keenly aware that this time of peace is far, far away.
And then… And then we come to this passage of hope in the midst of great despair in Micah. We are called to look past this time of judgment to see the promises of God enacted as we ascend Mount Zion and are cleansed of the sin of pride.
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