Loving God, you call us into relationship with you, empowering us by your Spirit to live as you would have us live.  Help us to be able to say “your will be done” as we continue to work for your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    There were a number of things going on in Micah’s day that aren’t all that different from things that are going on today.  A lot of the political leaders had been disappointing at best.  People were relying on violence in order to get what they wanted.  Religion had become pretty much going through the motions – having the form of religion but none of the power.  And there was despair over a number of things, including the future of the nation and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

    When David and Solomon were ruling, it seemed as though God’s promise to Abraham had finally been fulfilled – the one where Abraham’s descendants would inherit the land of Canaan.  However, already the kingdom has been divided into two, and the Northern Kingdom of Israel is being threatened by the Assyrians.  It is starting to seem as though God has forgotten not only the promise to Abraham, but the promise to David that one of his descendants would rule from Jerusalem forever.  And so it is into this setting of disappointment and despair that Micah speaks God’s word.

    Part of this word represents hope for the future, and part is about renewing one’s relationship with God in the here and now.  With respect to the hope for the future, many of us probably thought of Jesus when we heard the words about a ruler from Bethlehem.  Born in Bethlehem, with his origin “from of old,” feeding his flock in the strength of the Lord, with his greatness “to the ends of the earth” (Mic. 5:2-4).

    While those in Micah’s day wouldn’t have known about Jesus, they would have thought of King David as soon as they heard about Bethlehem.  It would have been music to their ears to hear about a king from David’s line who would actually rely on the strength of the Lord and who would bring security and peace to God’s people.  And so this is the future hope that is part of Micah’s message.  However, the part that I would like to focus on today is the renewed relationship with God that Micah describes.

    One of the recurring themes in the Old Testament prophets is that peace and security are not to be found through military alliances or through the size of the army, but through obedience to God and a right relationship with God.  The people are constantly reminded that God is the one with power over life and death, and God is the only one who can ultimately give security or peace.  And so, part of Micah’s message asks what obedience to God and a right relationship actually look like.

    Is it good to give lots of offerings?  Thousands of rams?  Lots of olive oil?  Your firstborn?  While there is certainly a place for offerings, here’s what is really good: “To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic. 6:8).  I can’t help but think of the young man who comes to Jesus and asks what he needs to do to inherit eternal life (Mk. 10:17).  He wants something that will set the score straight – something that he can do that will make everything right between him and God.  However, Jesus’ reply to him is neither easy nor a one time thing.  He is to sell everything, give the money to the poor and then spend the rest of his life following Jesus (Mk. 10:21).  In this case, the man goes away grieving, for he realizes that he just can’t do it.

    In a similar vein, which is easier – to give an offering or to do justice?... Surely doing justice in the world is far more difficult and more complicated!  However, the word of God that we hear through Micah tells us that this is an essential part of what a right relationship with God looks like.

    In our discussion of this passage this past Wednesday, we soon concluded that many of the justice issues in our world have no easy answers and many complexities.  We could spend a long time discussing even one issue that cries out for justice, let alone all of the different situations that we are aware of.  In some ways, we almost have too much information.  It is easy to become overwhelmed by all of the injustices in our world.  Yet, as Christians it is part of our calling “to strive for justice and peace in all the earth” (Affirmation of Baptism service).  So what do we do with all that?

    Perhaps we could act on it when a need for justice is placed right in front of us where we cannot miss it.  Perhaps we could work together with other Christians through organizations like KAIROS that address justice issues in Canada and around the world.  Perhaps we could keep the need for justice and peace in our prayers.  Perhaps we could treat others with dignity and respect, especially when they have been victims of injustice and are crying out for help.

    As Remembrance Day approaches this week, it is a time when we think about things like justice and peace.  A statement that keeps coming to mind is this: “There is no peace without justice.”  Certainly this seems to be true when we think about many of the conflicts around the world.  In most cases, at least one of the parties involved is crying out for justice, and the conflict does not end until justice is done.

    And so, we remember those who have been victims of armed conflict, and the devastation that comes from war. We remember those who have dedicated their lives to serving their country and serving others.  We remember those who have committed themselves to living out their faith in every situation, even when they have been thrust into armed conflict.

    At the same time, justice and peace are only part of the picture that Micah paints of a right relationship with God.  The other parts of the picture are loving kindness and walking humbly with our God.  Loving kindness is only one possible translation of a pair of words in Hebrew that encompass love and mercy and kindness.  When Jesus talks about mercy and not sacrifice, it is the same word (Mt. 9:13).  When we are in a right relationship with God, we treat other people with love and mercy and kindness, especially those who are most in need.  Once again, this is much harder than giving an offering!

    As for walking humbly with God, this is a picture of an ongoing relationship with God where we are aware of God’s presence and looking for God’s guidance in every situation.  It is a picture of humble thanksgiving and worship, deferring to God’s wisdom in those things that we do not understand.  It is a picture of constant prayer and walking in the paths of righteousness revealed to us by God.

    As we soon discover from Jesus, God’s desire for justice and mercy and loving kindness has not changed.  We are also called to walk with God as Jesus walked – in humility and trust.  However, what has changed since Micah’s time is that we don’t need to make everything right between us and God.  Instead, Jesus has already done that, and so we are set free to work on justice, kindness and humility, knowing that God has already accepted us and saved us through Jesus.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Pentecost 22 (NL 1)                            Micah 5:2-4; 6:6-8
November 9, 2014                                Matthew 9:13
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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