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Arthur Pigdon Seeds of the Spirit (2001) |
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Israel received the laws of God from Moses written on tablets of stone. These laws were external, and often conflicted with their desires. God now tells Jeremiah that a new era will come, which will be so radical that it will require a new covenant. The desires of people's hearts and the law of God will be in complete harmony. They will not need to teach God's laws because the hearts of the people will be so changed that they will know and want to do God's will. This will be achieved when God's Holy Spirit, which until that point had been given to key persons only, will be given to every one who calls on the name of the Lord. This prophecy began to be fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came on the disciples at the day of Pentecost. The key phrase is 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord'. (See Acts 2:21.) God does nothing without our consent. In this passage only Israel and Judah are mentioned, but the Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles also, commencing with Cornelius and the church at Ephesus. When we are baptised by Jesus in the Holy Spirit, as John the Baptist predicted, we find our greatest joy in doing God's will. His laws are truly written on our hearts and in our spirit. |
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Immediately following this prophecy of a new and different covenant with Israel, God assures the nation that it does not set aside or abrogate the former covenant God made through Abraham. The strongest possible language is used. The Lord points to the sun, moon, stars and the sea and says that while ever this fixed order remains Israel will always be a nation before him. The words of verse 37 quoted above strengthen this assurance further, declaring that it is virtually impossible that God would cast off Israel because of their sinful ways. So while Jeremiah's generation was experiencing judgment for their sins God hastened to assure them that their national life would again be restored. The covenant promises made earlier still applied and there was hope for a greater future. Promises such as those in today's reading kept hope alive in Jewish hearts during nineteen centuries of exile. We never reach a point of no return with God. He delights to forgive and bless. These assurances give great confidence to Christians also. If God was so faithful to his covenant with Israel, he will be just as faithful in keeping the promises made through his Son. |
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Jeremiah continues the prophecies first mentioned by Isaiah of a righteous branch, or shoot, that would grow from the stump of David's kingly line. Jeremiah gives him the name 'The Lord Our Righteousness'. This unusual title is not fully understood until we come to the New Testament where Paul teaches that we are not approved by God because of our own imperfect righteousness but that Christ becomes our righteousness by being a sacrifice for our sins. 'God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' (2 Corinthians 5:21) In Romans 4:23-25 Paul speaks of the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus who is our substitute righteousness. The term 'the Lord Our Righteousness' in verse 16 is used frequently in the Old Testament as a name of God. Through the incarnation the Son of God becomes the Lord our righteousness. Only 'in Christ' can we be righteous before God. He is the Son of David, the righteous branch of whom the prophets spoke. How wonderful that we do not have to depend on our own questionable righteousness for our salvation. In Christ our security is complete. |
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How true this is. Since Jews settled in Europe, especially in Germany, Poland and Russia, the church has been one of the instigators of prejudice against Jews by branding them 'Christ killers'. This was particularly so at Easter when Christians were stirred up to attack Jews and plunder the Jewish quarter. European Christians in their ignorance felt they were pleasing God by punishing the descendants of the Jews who planned Jesus' death. In Zechariah 1:14, 15 the Lord says, 'I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.' Christians and non-Christians alike have taken it upon themselves to punish the Jews but God says they have gone beyond his wishes and become guilty themselves. God's attitude is shown in Isaiah 54:7-8: 'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassions I will bring you back.' Only God has the right to pass sentence and execute judgment. Anti-Jewish sentiments are anti-Christian. The church must openly oppose all expressions of anti-Semitism and every form of racism, for all people are God's children. |
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This book is a human poem lamenting the defeat of Judah and the sacking of Jerusalem. Here Jeremiah the patriot laments the tragedy that has befallen his nation. It contains some familiar and memorable passages. We will note some of them, 'Is it nothing to you all you who pass by?' (verse 12, RSV) is often quoted at Easter but it refers to the sacking of Jerusalem. By means of graphic, poetic word pictures Jeremiah's sadness reaches our hearts across the centuries in a way a mere historical account could never have done. Yet his faith and hope still shines through his sadness. These quotations bring out Jeremiah's faith and deserve to be recognised. 'The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is thy faithfulness . . . The Lord is good to those who wait for him, To the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.' (3:22-26, RSV) This book should be read by every Christian. It expresses the suffering of an exiled and persecuted people who still cling to their hope in God. Read the whole book at one sitting to get the full effect of its emotional content. |
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Ezekiel was a younger contemporary of Jeremiah who prophesied to the Jews in Jerusalem and later during their exile in Babylon. In this passage we have the account of his call and commission. He was given a difficult mission. Even though God sent him to call the nation to repentance he warned him that the people were stubborn and would not heed his message, nevertheless his commission was to deliver it whether they heeded it or not. Note that when God commissioned Ezekiel he also equipped him by anointing him with his Spirit. This is an essential preparation for all who would exercise a prophetic role. It is not a ministry that anyone can undertake on their own initiative. Three times he is admonished not to be afraid of those who would oppose him even though he will feel that he is living among thorns and scorpions. In communicating his message to Ezekiel God used the medium of visions more often than previously. Some are difficult for us to understand but his spoken utterances are always clear. The first part of his book is a strongly worded call to the people to return to the Lord because of the impending judgment. The latter part is a message of comfort, and a promise of restoration following the exile in Babylon. |
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The duty of the watchman was to warn the people of danger. If he failed to warn them and they perished he was held responsible. If he warned them and they refused to heed he was guiltless. He had discharged his duty. God told Ezekiel that the people would not heed his warnings but he must announce God's warning just the same. Their response was not his responsibility. He was not expected to be successful, only faithful. Today's churches seem to have forgotten this. Some churches and leaders are judged by the success they can show in increased membership. The Lord told Ezekiel he must preach to a nation of rebels who were impudent and stubborn. He called them a rebellious house. God's love for Israel is shown in that he never gave them up. Despite their rejection he continued to send his prophets to warn them and call them to turn from their wickedness--which could only result in their fall and great suffering. The church today must continue to confront our indifferent and godless society with the reality and demands of the living God. Christians must be God's watchmen irrespective of whether people respond or not. (See also chapter 33.) |
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The description in this chapter is part of Ezekiel's vision--it did not actually happen. (See Ezekiel 8:1-2.) The men who were sighing and groaning at the evils that were committed in Jerusalem were expressing their disapproval. They were not in a position of power to change things for the better but they did not give their consent to the evil practices. There are times when ordinary citizens are powerless to change the evil they see around them; all they can do is refuse to participate in it and express their disapproval. We live in a largely godless society where many people live lives that flout God's standards and corrupt the community. What can Christian people do except maintain their own Christian standards and bemoan the decadence they see around them. The statement by Malachi (3:16-17) that God takes note of godly men and women who are true to him in the midst of the surrounding decadence is an encouragement to us all, even if all we can do is only to deplore the godlessness we see around us. But we can still raise our voice in any public forum open to us. We should be people who bear the mark of God made visible by our attitude. |
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This whole chapter is addressed to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, and this verse puts a new angle on the sin of the people of Sodom. The story about Lot and Sodom in Genesis 19 is a story of moral depravity, especially the sin of homosexuality, which God condemned. In Biblical language the term 'sodomite' became a synonym for a homosexual. Yet the people of Sodom had a greater sin in God's eyes, namely indifference to the needs of the poor and selfish indulgence in their affluence. Throughout the law of Moses and the prophets God's concern for social justice and the responsibility of all to care for the needy is strongly expressed. This was summed up in the positive command, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' (Leviticus 19:18) Jesus made this the basis of his judging of the nations. (Matthew 25) The Sodomites had failed to observe the obligation to love others and share their possessions with the needy. Not only does God expect us to observe negative righteousness--not break the commandments--he also expects us to act positively to fulfil the law of love. Sins of omission are just as real as sins of disobedience. Ezekiel identified Sodom's sin as selfishness. |
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Ezekiel emphasised individual responsibility. This is a very important passage for any person who has had to live down a bad family reputation. Every generation is a new beginning. It is also a salutary warning for young people from good homes. Guilt is not transferable nor can it be inherited. The doctrine of original sin inherited through our forebears from Adam is not consistent with biblical teaching. Babies are born innocent but they do inherit a nature that is prone to sin. Verses 5-9 define the righteousness that God requires of us. Eating on the mountains refers to eating at the pagan shrines, which were always in high places. Not lending money at interest refers to the prohibition against charging interest to fellow Jews, but this did not apply to loans to non-Jews. (Deuteronomy 23:19-20) It is a comprehensive and demanding standard of righteousness. God's moral requirements do not change. The penalty for sin is death. It was not until Jesus came with his promise of forgiveness and eternal life that we had hope beyond physical death. The New Testament tells us that Christ brought life and immortality to light through the gospel so the penitent sinner still has hope. |
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This rather obscure passage refers to the last king of Judah, as verse 25 indicates. Ezekiel pronounces God's judgment that the turban (priests) and the crown (king) will cease to function because of the nation's captivity. The word 'ruin' is repeated three times to emphasise that these offices will be overturned and be in ruins until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs. Jacob prophesied, 'The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs'. (Genesis 49:10) An alternative rendering is 'until Shiloh comes' or 'until he comes to Shiloh'. Shiloh was where the first temple was located and where Samuel ministered. It had important historical associations. The Jews have always understood this passage to apply to the Messiah. (See 34:23.) Ezekiel now prophecies that Israel will have no more kings 'until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs'. Israel has never had a king since that day. Hosea 3:4-5 should be read in this connection as Hosea's prophecy confirms and restates Ezekiel's prediction, emphasising that the coming Messsianic king will be of the line of David, and that Israel will turn to him in the last days. |
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Chapters 36-39 of Ezekiel are chapters of promise and hope. After Ezekiel's earlier mission pronouncing God's judgment and Israel's punishment and exile they are like refreshing rain after drought. All the prophets followed their messages of judgment with promises of restoration. God's purpose is always to cleanse and purify--his judgments are never without hope. Ezekiel predicts that the people will return from their Babylonian captivity and the cities will be rebuilt, the land will become fertile and their national life will be restored. Their religious life will also be restored and their former worship of pagan gods and idols will be a thing of the past. (verses 24-26) Verses 33-36 give a graphic and detailed description of the restoration that will take place after the people return. Throughout this passage God says that he will do this to restore the honour of his name and to keep his covenant with their forefathers rather than for their sake. Their return will be the work of God and not just the result of human national aspirations. Their spiritual restoration (verses 26-27) is a very important part of the restoration of their national life. This is also true for every nation. |
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Here again we have God revealing his future plans by means of a vision. Just as in the vision where the bones of individuals were brought together and covered with sinews and flesh so the individual Jews were to be gathered from where they had been scattered by the exile and were to become one nation in the land of Israel again. Their national life, which had been dead, was to be brought back to life. Verses 7-10 graphically describe what Ezekiel saw in his vision and verses 11-14 are the interpretation of the vision. Verses 15-23 predict that the two former divisions of the nation were to be united to become a single national entity again. Verses 24-28 look far into the future to a time when a descendant of David would again be Israel's king. God will make a covenant of peace with the nation. Verses 27-28 speak of a time when God will dwell with them. 'My dwelling place will be with them . . . then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.' It is not surprising that this passage was read over the Israeli radio in 1948 when Israel's national life was restored after nearly 2000 years of exile. |
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In chapters 38 and 39 Ezekiel predicts that the returned exiles will be attacked by Gog, who is called the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Gog and Magog symbolically represent the godless nations of the world. In the book of Revelation Gog and Magog are the leaders of the godless nations who attempt to destroy God's people but are themselves destroyed by God. (Revelation 20:7) They are here represented as involved in the final struggle between God's people and Satan's servants. It is impossible to apply this prophecy with any certainty to a particular time or event and we should not attempt to do so. The purpose of the prophecy is quite clear. God's people will never know final peace until the evil in the world is destroyed totally and finally. There will come a time when the evil forces of the world will attempt to destroy God's people in the land of Israel and they themselves will be destroyed. This prophesy could not be fulfilled during the 2000 years of Israel's exile among the nations but now that they are back in the land the stage is set for its fulfilment. Revelation chapters 17-20 should be read in association with these chapters. |
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The three Jewish captives, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were examples of outstanding courage and loyalty to God. As captives they had no rights. They had been chosen for special roles in Babylon in the king's service. They forfeited these special privileges by their disobedience and they calmly faced death rather than bow to worship the golden image. Sometimes Christians have to choose between self-interest and loyalty to their Lord and their faith. We should be prepared to accept personal loss or even suffering rather than deny our faith. Throughout the whole history of the Jewish and Christian faiths there have been times when similar choices have had to be made and many have chosen martyrdom rather than deny their faith. As it happened, God intervened in a miraculous way to save the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but this does not always happen. Great courage only comes from a total commitment to God. We need to give our supreme loyalty to him so that when we are confronted with a challenge to our faith the issue is already settled. |
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King Belshazzar gave a monster party for a thousand of his lords and they drank from the sacred vessels that had been taken from the temple at Jerusalem. When the disembodied hand wrote on the wall the drunken king was terrified--the text says his knees knocked together. Neither the king nor his wise men understood the writing or its meaning. Daniel was called because he had interpreted dreams for Belshazzar's father, Nebuchadnezzar. He identified the words as mene ('numbered'), tekel ('weighed'), and parsin ('divided').The words were in the Aramaic language. Daniel interpreted the message to mean that Belshazzar's days were numbered--he was killed that very night--he had been weighted in the scales as money is weighed and God had found him unworthy. His kingdom was to be divided between the Medes and the Persians. What does the unseen finger of God write on the wall of our mind about our present life style? We do not need a Daniel to tell us that our days are numbered. God will judge us to decide if we are worthy, and all we possess will be left for others to divide among themselves. It is a sobering thought. |
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Daniel was the victim of political jealousy. He was one of three presidents that controlled the kingdom under King Darius and because the king favoured him for the role of chairman the others decided to 'get' him. They had an edict proclaimed that forbade worship of Israel's God. Daniel courageously continued his daily prayers by his open window. And so we have the story so loved by children of Daniel being thrown into a den of lions and God preserving him so that he was not mauled or killed. This made a great impression on the king, so much so that he wrote to all his provinces urging people to honour Daniel's God. The secret of Daniel's inner strength and wisdom undoubtedly came from his daily prayer life. Because he attuned himself to God in prayer and meditation God was able to communicate with his spirit and reveal mysteries to him. From chapter 7 onwards Daniel records what God revealed to him about the future. To survive spiritually in our largely pagan society we need the discipline of daily prayer. Daniel prayed alone, he prayed facing Jerusalem, his faith centre, and he knelt and prayed daily, giving God thanks. He has set us an example to follow. |
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This first vision was political in nature. It depicted four stages of human government, represented by a lion, a bear, a leopard and a beast with ten horns and iron teeth. After these bestial regimes God's reign would be established and would last forever In chapter 8 Daniel details a second vision, which again concerns kings and governments and which looks far into the future. He says he did not understand its meaning. Chapter 9 is a beautiful prayer for the restoration of Israel's national life and the rebuilding of the temple. In chapter 10 Daniel tells us that he fasted for three weeks and further visions were given to him. In chapter 12 he predicts a time of great trouble but God's people will be delivered. He also predicted a day of resurrection followed by a day of judgment and separation of the righteous from the wicked. The prediction that 'Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase' (12:4, RSV) accurately describes the enormous growth of travel and knowledge in our generation. The angel tells him that the meaning of his vision is to be sealed until the end of time. We cannot understand the details but it is clear that God knows the future and the triumph of the godly is certain. |
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The order of the prophetic books of the Old Testament is decided by their size, not their chronological order. Hosea lived before Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. He prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, often referred to as Ephraim, its leading tribe. His wife, Gomer, was unfaithful to him and he likens Israel to an unfaithful wife who has left her true husband, Israel's God, for other gods. Today's passage predicts that Israel will suffer the loss of a reigning king, a daily sacrifice and an officiating priesthood for many days (or years). But afterwards they will return to their God, and David's heir will rule over them. This will happen in the 'last days'. This expression is used to refer to the end of history or the time of Messiah. The wonderful feature of Hosea's prophecy is that even though his wife Gomer was unfaithful he still loved her and took her back. In the same way, he says, God loves wayward Israel, and after many days he will take her back and forgive her sin. God never passes judgment on his people without reaffirming that they have a future and a hope. |
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This statement conveys the same sentiment as Samuel's words to Saul: 'To obey is better than sacrifice.' (1 Samuel 15:22) Jesus quotes Hosea's words on two occasions (Matthew 9:3 and 12:7). Hosea is not opposing sacrifices but saying that the mere observance of any ritual does not please God. He wants their steadfast love and obedience and a real relationship that is described as 'acknowledging God'. Rituals have their place and every ritual has an inner spiritual meaning. Without the worshipper entering into the inner meaning of the ritual it is not worship and no real relationship has been created between the worshipper and God. We can be just as prone to this form of mindless worship of 'going through the motions' as the Israelites were. We can keep our worship alive and fresh by praise and prayer, especially prayers of confession, thanksgiving and rededication to serve the Lord. No act of worship occurs if we remain as spectators. We only worship when we are actively involved. Through our affections we love God, through our conscience we confess our sins and through our will we pledge our allegiance. |
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God has a love affair with Israel. Despite their following other loves and deserting him God always promises them restoration and blessing after they have suffered for their disobedience. In chapter 11 he says, 'How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? . . . My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.' As Hosea forgave and welcomed back his wife who had played the harlot, so God is always ready to welcome his people back to himself, for his love is eternal and unconditional. It is only when Christ comes that we learn that it is not only Israel whom God loves in this way but all the nations. Jesus taught us that 'God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life'. (John 3:16) So despite the evil that is increasingly manifest in modern society God has not given mankind up. Just as he sent the prophets to call Israel back to himself he sent his Son who invited all nations to come and enjoy the blessings of eternal life in the Kingdom of God. And God still periodically sends great prophetic preachers to expose our sinful ways and call us back to himself. |
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In this small prophecy of three chapters Joel pictures a locust plague that devastates the land. He sees it as a judgment from God and as usual the judgment is followed by promises of restoration and blessing. From 2:28, which begins with the words 'And afterward' he predicts future events. The first is that God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh. Peter quoted 2:28-29 in his explanation of the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, which he said was a fulfilment of this prophesy by Joel. Since Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit as he spoke we can be sure that what he said of these verses was inspired by the Spirit. Chapter 3 looks even further into the future to the end of history when God will gather the armies of the nations in the valley of Jehoshaphat. This name means 'God judges'. It is God's judgment on godless society, rather than the location, that is important. 'Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.' (3:14) God wants to pour out his Spirit on all people but if the nations reject his Spirit and his salvation they will face the judgment predicted by Joel. |
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Amos was a shepherd who prophesied in the northern kingdom in the eighth century BC. His prophecy begins by pronouncing God's punishment on the surrounding nations before he cites the sins of Israel and predicts that God will punish the nation for these sins. The aspect that God hated most was the hypocrisy of those who continued to observe the religious rituals but neglected justice in the courts and oppressed the poor. We still have these same sins in society today--selfish personal indulgence by the prosperous and indifference to the poor. The people of Amos' time were indifferent to human need, insincere in their worship and dishonest in business--in short they had rejected God's standard of righteousness and were following their own inclinations. Religion had become divorced from conduct. The great contribution of the prophets was their demand that worship of God must issue in social justice. Jesus continued this prophetic tradition when he denounced the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and demanded that ritual must always be accompanied by righteousness. |
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A plumb line is a piece of string with a weight on the bottom so that it hangs vertically. It is used to enable stonemasons and bricklayers to build a wall vertically true. The plumb line is the standard against which the bricks are judged for true vertical, Amos used God's holiness and righteousness as revealed in God's laws as the standard by which he judged the people's behaviour. He found it crooked and he called upon his hearers to correct their ways and bring their lives into conformity with God's standard. To check our lives, attitudes and behaviour we need to know what God's standard of behaviour is. We need to be instructed in what God expects of his people. Our conscience needs to be informed and our wills need to be surrendered to God. Jesus has promised to implant his Holy Spirit and his own divine nature in the heart of his disciples so that they will not only know God's standard of behaviour but will delight to do his will. Human nature cannot be reformed; it has to be replaced by God's own nature through his indwelling Spirit. How does your life stand up to the test of God's plumb line? Is it crooked in some places? |
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Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It predicts the destruction of Edom. The Edomites were descended from Esau and they never forgot how Jacob had obtained God's blessing and the inheritance that could have been theirs. They became the enemies of the kingdom of Judah, which they periodically attacked and plundered. But it was only after they joined with the Babylonians and participated in the plunder and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC that God, through Obadiah and other prophets, pronounced their doom. (See Psalm 137:7, Amos 1:11 and Ezekiel 35.) The statement in Malachi 1:2-3, 'I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated,' should be understood in the light of the subsequent attitude of the Edomites towards the kingdom of Judah. God did not hate Esau at birth but only after he and his descendants had persistently shown themselves to be opposed to God's purposes. The abandoned city of Petra in the mountains south of the Dead Sea is all that remains today of the Edomite kingdom. Obadiah's prophesy has been fulfilled. Esau could have had God's blessing but he allowed his appetites to dominate him. If we are wise we will value God's promises above the satisfaction of the moment. |
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Unfortunately, the incident of the fish swallowing Jonah and discussions about whether it actually happened has so dominated this prophecy that most people don't know the real message of the book, which is that it shows God's concern for non-Jewish people. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, the enemy of Israel. The Jews had become so aware that they were God's chosen and covenant people that they did not think he was concerned for other nations. There was no precedent for Jonah's mission, nor does it seem appropriate that a Jewish prophet should call the enemy's leaders to repentance. Jonah shrank from the mission, which he probably considered suicidal. He deliberately took a ship for Tarshish, in Spain, the farthest he could go in the opposite direction. He wasn't fleeing from Nineveh but from the presence of the Lord. Sometimes God calls us to a task that seems too big for us to handle so at first we shrink from it. But God called Jonah a second time after he was spared from death in the sea and this time Jonah obeyed and was successful. Nineveh repented and that created another problem for Jonah, as we shall see tomorrow. |
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This was what Jonah anticipated might happen (4:2). When God withheld his judgment in response to Nineveh's repentance, nothing happened that Jonah had predicted and he was made to look a fool and a false prophet. He was more concerned for his own reputation than for the people of Nineveh, He was angry when he should have rejoiced for the sake of the city. He built a shelter to shade himself from the sun and kept watch on Nineveh so he could observe its destruction. Then the Lord played a little game with Jonah to teach him how he should have felt at Nineveh's survival. He provided a plant to shade Jonah and Jonah was glad. Then he appointed a worm to eat the plant and destroy it. That made Jonah mad. Then God used these happenings to teach Jonah a lesson. God said, 'You pity the plant . . . and should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons?' (4:10-11, RSV) Jonah was a real prophet. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25 and referred to by Jesus. Whatever our view of the details of the story it does not affect the message of the book, which shows God's concern for all nations. |
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This same passage occurs in Isaiah 2:2-4. Isaiah was a contemporary of Micah and either one copied from the other or both were quoting from a previous prophecy. It is a famous passage that is a description of events of the 'last days', the end of history and the times of Messiah. These words give us the assurance that one day God will banish war from the world. Man's longing for peace and security is universal. The Messiah is called the Prince of Peace. Our hope for permanent peace does not lie with the conferences of leaders of nations but with the reign of Christ and the coming of the kingdom of God. Other prophecies tell us that human history is to end in a time of war, commonly known by the biblical name of Armageddon, when the powers of evil and those who serve Satan will be destroyed, after which the Kingdom of God will begin for those who love, serve and worship God and his Messiah. The world seems to be rapidly moving towards the climax of evil foretold in scripture. This war-torn world is hungry for peace but we will never achieve it permanently until Messiah reigns. |
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When King Herod enquired of the Jewish leaders where the Messiah was to be born they quoted this passage in answer. (Matthew 2:6) Israel's ruler was to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. But although he was to be born as a babe, Micah says his 'origins are from of old, from ancient times'. As the apostle John says in the opening verses of his gospel, the Word was in the beginning with God. In his generation, the Word became flesh. When Jesus on the walk to Emmaus pointed out the passages in the Hebrew scriptures that referred to himself this would have been one of them. It was written some 600 years before Jesus' birth, which shows that God has long-range plans and is not in a hurry, yet his prophecies are certain to be fulfilled. Micah tells us that Messiah will be a shepherd to his people, providing them with the security they need. But he will not only come to reign over Israel: 'His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.' Messiah will come out of Israel but he will be for all nations. As we consider these prophecies of Messiah's universal reign we should not forget that it is more important for us to allow him to reign over our lives now. |
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This is one of the famous summaries of religious duty that ranks with the Old Testament commands to love God and to love our neighbours and with Jesus' 'golden rule' to do to others as you would have them do to you. The importance of all these statements is that they link morality with worship in an inseparable bond. The demand for justice in all our human relationships is a constant theme of both Old and New Testaments. Bribery, corruption and partiality are incompatible with a Christian profession. The Hebrew word here translated 'kindness' is one of the great characteristic words of the Old Testament. It is the Hebrew word chesed, which is also translated 'steadfast love and mercy'. It is a close equivalent to the Greek word agape, commonly translated love. Justice is not enough, it needs to be softened by mercy and kindness so that after our failures we may have hope. Humility is the third virtue mentioned. Pride is one of the commonest human failings but as we stand before God there is no ground for pride. Micah reminds us that it is walking humbly before God that is important. Justice, mercy and humility are three qualities God looks for in his people. |
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Nahum and Jonah were both prophets whose message was directed solely to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. It could be compared to directing a prophecy against New York or any great city of this generation. Although the rulers of Nineveh repented in Jonah's day they continued to be a ruthless, conquering people who cruelly defeated and destroyed other nations, including Israel. God is often described as a jealous God. Jealousy is associated with love and a protective attitude. God is jealous for his covenant people Israel and this inclusion of non-Jewish nations in his prophetic pronouncements shows that God is lord over all the nations and holds all accountable for their behaviour. The Old Testament is not only concerned with Israel. Many of the prophetic books contain divine pronouncements directed to other nations, for God is equally concerned for all people on earth. The theme of divine judgment runs strongly through the whole Bible. The apparent success of evil is only temporary. In the end evil always brings failure and destruction from God. Only goodness is eternal. |
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Arthur Pigdon Seeds of the Spirit (2001) |
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