Faith Formation: Micah - Justice, Kindness, humility

Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the case of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the LORD has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel. "Oh my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam. Oh my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD." Micah 6:1-5

I encourage reading the Bible. I admit it is difficult. It is ancient literature. It is not a "page turner." Read it slowly. Only a few chapters at a time, daily or as close to daily as you can. Get a Bible app on your phone so you can read it when you do not have a book handy. Read it from start to finish and then start over again. Certainly some parts seem boring and irrelevant. No matter read it. Read other scriptures too for the wisdom of other faiths and cultures. I read the Tao and Rumi. I have read the Koran and the Bhagavat-Gita, and Native American tales. The Bible is a constant in my life so that I can remember its stories and "know the saving acts of the LORD."

God built a case against his people's unfaithfulness by reminding them of a few of the stories from the time of the Exodus, wilderness wandering and entry into the Promised Land. Many writings recited the history of God's saving acts from these stories. Joshua's last words to the people told the story. Samuel's last words to the people was this story. Psalm 105-106 sang the story. Telling the story of where you came form reminds you of who you are and how and why you live. Followers of Christ tell the stories of Jesus life, passion, death and resurrection. America retells the story of the Revolution against tyranny.

"For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent Moses, Aaron and Miriam." God had asked how the people had become wearied by what God had done. God's defense may be read as a question, "Did I weary you by bringing you up from the land of Egypt?" Granted it had been a long arduous journey but it was their redemption. The story of the Exodus should be well known.

The second story comes from a less well known place, Numbers 22-24, a book where people easily become bogged down and disinterested. King Balak of Moab sought to curse Israel because they were so numerous and he feared they would overwhelm the land as they passed through. He summoned Balaam son of Beor because it seemed Balaam had the ability to bless and curse effectively. Balaam agreed, but every time Balaam consulted God about a curse God put words of blessing in his mouth. There is also a well known, humorous story about Balaam's ass. Finally Balak gave up, though he was not happy about the situation or about Balaam's failure to curse Israel.

The third story was about the end of the journey through the wilderness and the entrance into the Promised Land. So, what happened "from Shittim to Gilgal"? The story is told in Joshua 3-5. Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land from Shittim. The crossing parallels the crossing of the Red Sea at the beginning of the story with a parting of the flooding waters of the Jordan. At Gilgal the Israelites step up twelve witness stones as a sign that each of the twelve tribes would remain loyal and support the whole nation as it came into possession of the land. The people born in the wilderness had not been circumcised so all the males went under the flint knife. They rested there for a period of healing. Finally, it was at Gilgal that that manna, the food that had sustained them for forty years ceased to appear on the ground. They ate the produce of the land of milk and honey. "The LORD said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.' And so that place is called Gilgal to this day." The word "Gilgal" is related to the word "rolled."

The rehearsal of God's saving acts were brief, but comprehensive enough to remind Israel of all that God had done for them. Now Israel could respond.

Do Justice. Love Kindness. Walk humbly with God.

Pastor Tim Bauer