I don’t know about you guys, but I’m excited to be back in the Old Testament. We are evidence of God’s blessing and faithfulness to His promises. The only reason we know about Jesus and Salvation, is because God made glorious promises to the sons of Abraham thousands of years ago and kept them.

Here’s a overview of Micah.

In His law, the LORD set up systems to reign in poverty. The ownership of land and sabbatical years were set in place to ensure that all financial hardships would have expiration dates. Family land alottment would be reset and debts would be forgiven, people who had sold themselves into slavery would be released! Harvesters were directed to leave bits behind for the poor to gather as food. Love and hospitality were always prescribed treatments, especially for the particularly vulnerable: widows, orphans and foreigners. GOD IS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.

That’s why He was ready to lay these cities to waste when the Kings, rich and powerful, started to deconstruct these priniples. They stole land and abused the poor to increase their already plumped wealth.

“They covet fields and then seize them, And houses, and take them away. They rob a man and his house, A man and his inheritance.” (2:2)

“The women of My people you evict, Each one from her pleasant house. From her children you take My splendor forever.” (2:9)

The LORD promises to bring down the oppressor, but then also promises to remain a tender caretaker of His people, the oppressed.

So what does this have to do with us? The principle remains: we will be judged for our treatment of the vulnerable.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’”‭‭ (Matthew‬ ‭25:40-43)

Jesus said that. What will be my posture toward these? The LORD was ready to tear down Jerusalem for this. His people, meant to be a light to all nations, were not going to defame His name by being examples of exploitation.

Ask the LORD what this looks like in your life. I don’t know all of you, I can’t assume to know or judge. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts. How seriously do I take social injustice? Do I encourage it? Ignore it? Experience it? Confront it?

Thank you for being our Shepherd King, Jesus. Lead us in Your everlasting way!

-Bethany