“The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.” Micah 1:1 NIV
“Look! The Lord is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads on the heights of the earth. The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope. 5 All this is because of Jacob’s transgression, because of the sins of the people of Israel. What is Jacob’s transgression? Is it not Samaria? What is Judah’s high place? Is it not Jerusalem?” Micah 1:4-5
“Because of this I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.” Micah 1:8
“I will bring a conqueror against you who live in Mareshah. The nobles of Israel will flee to Adullam. 16 Shave your head in mourning for the children in whom you delight; make yourself as bald as the vulture, for they will go from you into exile.” Micah 1:15-16 NIV
Father God,
Here at the same time as Isaiah we have Micah with a similar message. You did not leave Yourself without a witness and these two, speaking to Judah, overlapped the message of Hosea who spoke the the kingdom of Israel. Each with their own illustrations of the message of judgement. Each with the promise of future forgiveness and restoration.
God could not overlook the sin of Judah and Jerusalem. The place he had chosen to meet with His people. The place selected to worship and bring offerings. It distressed Micah so much it affected him in mind, body and soul. People must have thought him mad? Or perhaps this was accepted behaviour of a prophet distressed by the message from You.
Micah knows his message will not be heard and he speaks of a time when children would be taken away. It would be 100 or so years before they would be taken into captivity and all the all the best officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans were taken to Babylon. Leaving only the poorest people of the land. But he faithfully delivers it.
Make yourself bald, tear out Your hair. The Nazarites shaved off their hair to make a vow to the Lord. They could have mourned, returned to You and shown their penitence and escaped judgement. But chose not to.
Father we pray You will show us any hint of stubbornness taking room in our hearts and lives. It is subtle and we can be a little obstreperous. Thank you that we do not have to go about naked and howling – but keep our feet shod with Your gospel of judgement and forgiveness and ready to share.
In Jesus name we pry, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 16th July 2025
Not sung much today but its still all about Jesus and a contrite heart . . .
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
O Savior of mankind!
O Hope of every contrite heart,
O Joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
Jesus, our only Joy be Thou,
As Thou our Prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now,
And through eternity.
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
Lyrics: St Bernard of Clairvaux. Translator: Edward Caswall.