Tag: Prophets

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Division and Decline – Justice and Mercy

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8          

With the Northern Kingdom destroyed, the Southern Kingdom carried on as the primary nation who worshiped the Lord God. Unsurprisingly, the southern Kingdom of Judah fell into the same traps and snares as their neighbors. The people who claimed to follow the living God were acting no better and Idol worshippers.

The Prophet Micah critiques the character of the people by reminding them that God has already shown them how they are supposed to demonstrate their faith. He points out three distinct fruits of the spirit: justice, mercy, and humility. The first two, justice and mercy, are the two ways we care for one another. Mercy is something that usually happens in the moment, and justice is something that usually takes time.

We practice mercy when we have power over someone and choose to act with compassion or forgiveness. You might show a friend mercy when she steals from you by giving her a second chance. You might show mercy to a homeless person by giving them a few dollars or a warm blanket. Justice is a little bit different. We act with justice when something in our world is wrong, and we work to make it right. You might show justice to a thieving friend by having her return what was stolen. You might show justice to a homeless person by advocating for affordable housing or by supporting an agency that helps people get back on their feet.

Author and theologian Shane Claiborne reminds us that justice was the dangerous passion of Jesus Christ. “When people begin moving beyond (mercy) and toward justice and solidarity with the poor and oppressed, as Jesus did, they get in trouble,” he says. “Once we are actually friends with the folks in struggle, we start to ask why people are poor, which is never as popular as giving to charity…People are not crucified for helping poor people. People are crucified for joining them.”

There is a place for justice and mercy in a Christian’s life. To which is God calling you today and how will you respond?

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Kings and Prophets – Humble David

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.’” Then King David said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:8, 18           

King Saul, the first king of Israel, was kind of a dud, so God had the Prophet Samuel go out and find a new king who was named David. As a boy, David lived a rough and tumble life. He demonstrated great courage and remarkable faith. He spent his childhood protecting his father’s sheep in the wilderness, fighting off bears and lions. When Israel went to war, he volunteered to fight the giant Goliath with just his sling and a few stones, having faith that God would give him victory. Eventually, he became a general in King Saul’s army and showed great courage, wisdom, and valor.

The Bible calls David a man after God’s own heart. But what was the key to his success? Humility. A humble person is not tempted to put their needs before the needs of others. A humble person does not take any gift or responsibility for granted. When a humble person is bestowed with glory and prestige they ask “who am I that I would be honored in this way?” The beginning of David’s reign is characterized by this humility.

Humility helps us know exactly who we are. A humble woman has a clear-eyed view of her strengths and weaknesses. A humble man knows real strength comes, not from hoarding power, but extending power to others.

Poet and theologian Thomas Merton reminds us that “Pride makes us artificial; humility makes us real.” Way back at the beginning of the story of the Bible, it was pride that caused Adam and Eve to choose to disobey God. Much later on in the story, it is humility which drives Jesus Christ to forsake the riches and comforts of heaven to die a sinner’s death on the cross to rescue us from sin. How can you better cultivate the attitude of holy humility needed to be a faithful servant of God?

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Kings and Prophets – Living Like a Prophet

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so, he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 1 Samuel 8:6-7

In the story of Scripture, Israel is first ruled by judges, then it is ruled by kings. The kings were not part of the original plan. God intended to rule over the people of Israel as the real King, not have some human on the throne. However, the people are insistent. They see all the countries around them that have a king, and they want to be like the people around them.

In today’s passage, it is a man named Samuel who prays to God on behalf of the people to ask for a King. Samuel is a prophet. Now, some people think prophets are people who predict the future, but in the Bible a prophet is simply someone who speaks to the people on God’s behalf. Samuel is dedicated to serving God, so he is frustrated that Israel asks for a King to rule them. God tells him not to take it personally. The people haven’t rejected Samuel. Although God has been nothing but faithful, the people have rejected God.

Kings are very powerful. In ancient times, Israel’s neighbors would have worshiped their kings as gods on earth. If Israel is already rejecting God as their king, they may be tempted to reject God as God. Throughout the reign of Israel’s Kings, God also raises up prophets in each generation to speak the truth to kings and citizens alike.

The life of a prophet is very difficult. They must be wise enough to listen to God and have the courage to speak out. Many prophets are rejected, imprisoned, and even killed for speaking the truth of God to people who don’t want to hear it. Prophets are not just something we find in the Bible. There are modern day prophets who have worked and suffered for God’s cause. We are all called to speak up for what is right. Ask God for the wisdom and courage to live like a prophet in the world today.