Monday 11 August 2025
Alas for those who devise wickedness and evil deeds on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in their power. (v. 1)
Background
We begin a week looking at the words of Micah, who prophesied at the time of the fall of Israel to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BC. He spoke of God's judgement on Israel and Judah.
We hear how the world is under threat from God and the way in which God is going to act to bring the people back to what he had desired from them at the time of creation. They are very painful words and there seems to be very little hope according to the prophet’s words. As we move on through this week the message will become more positive, but it would seem that the vision that Micah saw when he went before God was a very negative one and he is warning the people that their lives must change to enable them to return to being God's people. In verse 12 they are reminded “I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob, I will gather the survivors of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture."
Andrew Pratt in the hymn we have today ('There are no strangers to God's love', 716 in Singing the Faith) speaks of the way all people belong to God’s family and are challenged to take up the role of building the world to how God intended it to be.
To Ponder:
- The words of Micah are harsh. Is there a warning here for our own times, or do we ignore them as belonging to a past era?
- Should we change our lifestyle to become true prophets on behalf of God rather than ignoring the larger picture?
Prayer
Lord we are living in a world which is often damaged and dark in these present times. Help us through your Holy Spirit to hear your voice and to take up the challenge of truly being your people and to play our part in renewing the world that you created. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Pat Billsborrow
Pat came into ministry 38 years ago and has been a supernumerary for 19 years. She is happy to continue serving wherever she is needed.