A Moment With Pastor Fred
Thanks to Susan’s 4th grade Sunday School teacher she can recite off the books in the Bible (BTW – that was her dad). I can recite them until I come to the Minor Prophets – that’s when I stumble until Malachi. The Minor Prophets are called that only because of their size – 4 chapters in Jonah vs. 66 in Isaiah. However, they’re not minor in importance.
Next Sunday we begin a series of messages from Micah – one of the minor prophets. My pattern of preaching is usually NT then OT and back again. We desire to keep balance between the two. In 2024 we were in Acts – so now we’re in the OT. Acts was predominantly narrative, so I wanted another category. Prophecy fits. However, Micah isn’t an easy read. In fact, if reading Micah doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable then you’re probably not really digesting it. 70% of the book is about judgment. While God is a God of love and mercy, he is also a God of holiness and justice. Micah reminds us that he doesn’t deal with sin superficially.
If 70% of Micah is negative, then thankfully 30% of the book is about hope! Not a wishful sentimental Hallmark hope but genuine hope sourced in the kindness and mercy of God. Only after we are confronted by our sin can we truly appreciate this message of hope. Christ is the One in whom all the tragedies and tensions in Micah find resolution. He is the promised King the prophet refers to. One commentator has written, “As we read this prophet in light of the coming of Jesus, we find that Micah can inspire and transform us to do the justice we yearn for, and the love and the kindness we long to see, as we walk through life with the God of consistent justice and overwhelming kindness.” Read Micah 6:8. I’m excited about next Sunday.