Skip to main content

May 15 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 135

God cares about justice.  Think about that as you read Micah.  Here's the Bible Project's video breaking down the book.


DAILY READINGS

Micah 1-4 & Psalm 130

DAILY NOTES

Micah 1
  • The tone of the book is set early.  Micah sees God as "a witness against" the people in Verse 2.
  • Remember those billboard messages from God that were popular a few years ago?  My favorite was always, "Don't make me come down there."  Micah depicts God responding to the injustice of the people by coming from "his place" (vs3).
  • All of Israel (north and south) are to be judged by God.
Micah 2
  • Injustice is in the hearts of the people so much that they "devise wickedness and evil deeds on their beds" (vs1)!  That means they're thinking about it even in their sleep.
  • Not only do the people practice injustice, they do not want to preached to about their doings (vs6).
Micah 3
  • Micah stands as a spirit filled prophet of God even though the leaders and other prophets are not (vs8).
Micah 4
  • A vision of restoration and peace.
  • Not only will the people cease from learning way, they will "walk in the name of the Lord...forever" (vs.5).
Psalm 130
  • The psalmist is waiting for God's redemption.  
  • God is forgiving and faithful.  Therefore, the psalmist knows he can trust God enough to wait.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Micah asks the "heads of Jacob" and the "rulers" of Israel, "Should you not know justice?"

Of course, the answer is, "Yes."  But not just the leaders.  We cannot blame injustice completely on leadership.  We all have a part in creating justice.  Ensuring justice.  And upholding justice.

In fact, doing so is probably one of the most prophetic things we can do as the body of Christ.  If we are indeed filled with the Spirit of God, we cannot sit idly while people suffer injustice.  We cannot allow people to be taken advantage of.  And we call to account anyone or any circumstance that does.

Think about what Jesus did.  Like Micah, he said he was anointed by the Spirit.  Look at what he had to say to the religious leaders of his day.  He was not merely telling them to be nice people; he was calling out their hypocrisy and injustice.  Look where that got him.

Are you Spirit filled like that?

Stay blessed...john 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 86 Ever notice these books don't end with happily ever afters?   Remember that we are reading an entire story of God told over many years.  The individual books help us follow that story, but we do well in remembering it's still one complete story. Today, we're finishing 1 Samuel.  As we read, we'll see how far Saul has fallen.  Ultimately, what God said would happen, happens. DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 28-31 & Psalm 86 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 28 This chapter is devoted entirely to Saul's encounter with a medium. Notice that Saul had previously expelled mediums and wizards.  This could be a sign of his former faithfulness. Saul's fear overwhelmed him.  He is up against a Philistine army he does not think he can defeat. Since Saul could not hear from God, he seeks a medium to "inquire of her."  What did he want to know (from God or the medium)?  He asks Samuel what he should do.  So, is that asking whether to...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 101 The great prophet Elijah leaves the scene (He'll appear again later.  Do you remember where?).  Elisha takes his place and immediately begins to act as prophet among the people.   DAILY READINGS 2 Kings 1-3 & Psalm 101 DAILY NOTES 2 Kings 1 King Ahaziah is injured and he wants to know if he'll live.  He seeks input from the prophets of Baal-zebub.  Elijah finds out and interrupts Ahaziah's men from going to the prophets.   Notice that Elijah, that hairy man, is divinely protected by the captain and his men.   Ahazia never hears from the prophets.  Elijah speaks directly to him to tell him that he will surely die. 2 Kings 2 Where did the idea of a whirlwind come from?  Did anyone expect that Elijah would be taken "to heaven by a whirlwind"?  Everyone seems to know that today Elijah will be gone. Elisha's command to the band of prophets seems to indicate his sense of loss but also a vigor...
Post a Comment
Read more