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Friday, November 4, 2011

11/5/11- Jesus' Use of Micah

 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

6 For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—   a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. (Micah 7:6)

(The boy Jesus pointing to scripture in the Temple)


Thoughts: Micah plays an important role in the gospels in these three passages.  Micah 5:2 predicts where the Messiah was to be born (quoted in Mt. 2:6; also John 7:42)- Bethlehem.  Micah 6 speaks of obedience as being better than sacrifice.  But Micah 6:8 speaks of the need for justice, mercy and faithfulness which was also lifted up by Jesus in Matthew 23:23.  The idea that God desires mercy more than sacrifice is also from Micah (Mt. 9;13; Mk. 12:33; Lk. 11:42).  Jesus saw Micah's words (7:6) of a family being divided against itself as being fulfilled in Him (Mt. 10:35-36; Mk. 13:12). 
     It is clear from this use of Micah in the New Testament that Jesus saw Micah as a very important book.  So we should study it as well.  It is also clear that Jesus saw the prophecies of Micah as being predictive in nature- foretelling the future.  It is clear that Christ believed God was in control of the future, and his ability to trust in God the Father was linked to his belief that God controls the future. We too shoudl read scripture, and substitute trust in God for worry.

Prayer: May I follow your ways and your beliefs, O Lord. 

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