Introduction to Micah

Micah 1:1-2

Welcome! Today we begin a new series on the book of Micah. Micah is called one of the Minor Prophets. The terms Major Prophets and Minor Prophets do not describe importance, but are simply a way to divide the Old Testament prophetic books roughly on length. The books called the Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The books called the Minor Prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Today my goal is simply to put Micah in the context of the history of Israel. As a people, the history of Israel really begins with Abraham, whom God led to a new land. God covenantally promised to bless Abraham’s descendants. The promise continued through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and then through Isaac’s son, Jacob who also was given the name Israel, and the descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons became known as the twelve tribes of Israel. One of these sons, Joseph, was hated by the others and was sold by them as a slave to Egypt. However, God raised Joseph up and Joseph saved his family in a terrible famine.

True God and Eternal Life

I John 5:20

Welcome! He is risen!

I want to start today with a poem called “Jesus and the Fish” by Jude Simpson. Because it is Easter and our focus is on the resurrection of Christ, I have taken the liberty of reordering some of the stanzas. Hopefully Jude Simpson can forgive me. Anyway, here is the poem:

Jesus always knew where to find the fish.

He had fish in His diet; He had fish on His dish.

He had fish in the sea; He had fish on the shore;

He came to disestablish the rule of law.

Really Knowing

1 John 5:13-21

Just imagine that you’re sitting in a jury box and the verdict is about to be delivered by the foreman.  You have heard all the evidence and testimonies and now it’s time to give the verdict. As you wait for the judge to enter, your mind wanders back over the trial.  You and the rest of the jury had to come up with a decision that made sense beyond a reasonable doubt.  You think to yourself, “Did he kill her?”  You saw the pictures of the body and the blood.  His DNA was on the weapon.  Neighbors testified of screaming coming from the apartment.  Her blood was on his hands.  The evidence and testimonies weighed in the favor of guilt but you still have some doubts.  “How did it happen exactly?” you wonder.   “Did he shove her first, then hit her with the weapon, or did he hit her with the weapon first, then shove her?  Why did he do it?  Was it a jealous rage.  Was it from paranoia?”  

These are questions you’re not able to answer.  But you know that you have no doubts large enough to convince you that he didn’t do it.  And you don’t have the option of not giving a verdict.  It’s not like the event never happened.  You can’t just ignore it so that it will somehow go away.  You would not be a just and good person if you walked away.  So, you’re glad you made a decision.  You’re conscience is clear.  You’re brought back to the reality of the moment as the Judge enters and everyone stands.   

Having Life

1 John 4:20-5:12

Carl has titled this section, “Having Life,” and it turns out to be a very relevant topic for my family right now as we have watched the life of Lisa’s brother gradually ebb away over the last week and a half. The circumstances have made us all stop and think, What is life? What is death? What is eternal life? What does it mean to pass from death to life? These are deep and important questions – and some things we won’t completely understand on this side of eternity. It is good to stop and ponder sometimes: What does our life mean? It goes to the heart of who we are.

But first we need to talk about love once again. 

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.  ~I John 4:20-21