Micah 4

WEEK  9                                            Micah 4

FRIDAY  Reflections

Here is a great picture of God's redemptive work. God will bring not just the children of Abraham but others into His kingdom. What is the path to this? Captivity! Yes, Micah claims that God's way to bring His deliverance is through Babylon, a heathen country, the land of their enemies. God is not going to leave them there; this is just part of the path God has chosen. 

 

We at times must go through our versions of Babylon. Like Israel, this isn't where God wants us to stay, but it is where we must travel to become all God wants us to be. The path God wants us to take to victory often must go through the land of the enemy. Don't be discouraged; God will do what is needed. 

Mic 4:1-13
(1)  But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
(2)  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
(3)  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
(4)  But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
(5)  For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
(6)  In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
(7)  And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
(8)  And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
(9)  Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.
(10)  Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
(11)  Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
(12)  But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.
(13)  Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash Pictures in my blog have some connection with the topic or the chapter, some are clearer than others. Here I see enemy land are as dangerous as entering a field of land mines.  

2 Corinthians 5

WEEK  9                                        2 Corinthians 5

THURSDAY  Reflections

We are all going to die, but Christians have something better coming. When we die, we go to be with God. We will all be judged. Christians will be judged for our actions (not salvation). The judgment of God causes Paul to persuade people to come to Jesus. We are new creatures in Christ. We have a new life because Jesus took on our sins and paid for them. Jesus never sinned. All these truths and more are found in this chapter.

 

For me, the promise that when our life is over we go to be with God gives comfort. This isn't an escape I'm looking for, but the gift I know is coming. There is more than just this world, and this gives me hope. Paul's teachings are one of the reasons I do not believe in soul sleep. 

What is God teaching you today?

2Co 5:1-21
(1)  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
(2)  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
(3)  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
(4)  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
(5)  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
(6)  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(7)  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
(8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
(9)  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
(10)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(11)  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
(12)  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
(13)  For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
(14)  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
(15)  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
(16)  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
(17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
(21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Photo by Alex Blăjan on Unsplash

Psalm 102

WEEK   9                                             Psalm 102

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

One of the things that gives me peace is the honesty of the Psalms. There is no glossing over; if the psalmist is happy, he rejoices; if he is sad, he laments; if he is angry, then that too is demonstrated. God knows us, and the Psalms reflect Him and us. It shows us how we can be honest with God

 

In Psalm 102, the psalmist pours out his pain. Yet, the psalmist understands God will do what is right. God will make everything right. This reminds me of what Jim Collins in his book, Good to Great, calls the Stockdale Paradox. I won't go into detail (Read it; it's great stuff), but it is believing that things will work out but brutally accepting the truth of the current situation. The psalmist understands both his plight and God's faithfulness. 

Psa 102:1-28
(1)  A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
(2)  Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
(3)  For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
(4)  My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
(5)  By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
(6)  I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
(7)  I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
(8)  Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
(9)  For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
(10)  Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
(11)  My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
(12)  But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
(13)  Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
(14)  For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
(15)  So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
(16)  When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
(17)  He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
(18)  This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
(19)  For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
(20)  To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
(21)  To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
(22)  When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
(23)  He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
(24)  I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
(25)  Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
(26)  They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
(27)  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
(28)  The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Micah 3

WEEK  9                                             Micah 3

TUESDAY  Reflections

As much as God is angered at the abuse of the rich, he is angry with leaders and teachers who are doing wrong. Micah points out that the princes of Jacob and Israel are so corrupt that it is as if they are cooking the people and eating them, because of their ruthless and brutal abuse. They do their work as a way to get a reward(a bribe), not to assure life is going well for their people. There was no concept of a prince being in public service for the sake of the people.

 

The prophets and the priests were just as bad because they were not serving God but only serving people for profit. God was never against the servants of God being paid and paid fairly. However, the focus had gone from serving God to serving people for the reward. For those in ministry, the ministry is always to God, period.

Mic 3:1-12
(1)  And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment?
(2)  Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
(3)  Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.
(4)  Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
(5)  Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
(6)  Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
(7)  Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
(8)  But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
(9)  Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
(10)  They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
(11)  The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
(12)  Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

2 Kings 19

WEEK  9                                            2 Kings  19

MONDAY  Reflections

Hezekiah made note that perhaps God would intervene NOT because of Judah's goodness but because the messenger of the Assyrians blasphemed God. God said that He would defend Jerusalem for His own sake (purpose/reason) and because of the covenant with David. The purpose God would defend Judah, as I see it, was to fulfill the promise that a messiah would come through David's line. God's purpose was to bring forth a savior through Abraham's line and to sit on David's throne. Hezekiah prayed, but God's ultimate reason to save Jerusalem was to bring salvation to the world as He promised. 


2 Kings 19:1-37
(1)  And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
(2)  And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
(3)  And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
(4)  It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
(5)  So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
(6)  And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
(7)  Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
(8)  So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
(9)  And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,
(10)  Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
(11)  Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?
(12)  Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar?
(13)  Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?
(14)  And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
(15)  And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
(16)  LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
(17)  Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,
(18)  And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
(19)  Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.
(20)  Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
(21)  This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
(22)  Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
(23)  By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
(24)  I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.
(25)  Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
(26)  Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
(27)  But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
(28)  Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
(29)  And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.
(30)  And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
(31)  For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
(32)  Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
(33)  By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
(34)  For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
(35)  And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
(36)  So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
(37)  And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

Photo by delfi de la Rua on Unsplash