Micah

Micah, from Moresheth, out in the Judah foothills. I’ve been prophesying through three kings now: Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. What I’ve seen is about both capitals. Samaria in the north. Jerusalem here.

The LORD is coming out of his place. Mountains melting under him like wax by a fire. And why? Samaria. He’s going to turn Samaria into a heap of rubble in a field, somewhere to plant vines. And it doesn’t stop there. It’s reached the gate of Jerusalem.

Replying to @micah.moresheth

So I’m mourning. Barefoot, stripped, howling like a jackal.

Wrote a lament for the towns round my home. Each line plays on the town’s name. Beth-leaphrah means house of dust, so: roll in the dust there. Lachish, harness the chariot horses. And Moresheth, my own town, you’re getting farewell presents.

Some people lie awake plotting, then do it first thing in the morning, because they can. They want a field, they take it. They want a house, they take it. A man loses his home. A family loses what was handed down to them.

Replying to @prophet.for.hire

If some windbag came along and said he’d preach to you about wine and beer, he’d be just the preacher for this lot.

But me? I’m full of power, full of the Spirit of the LORD, and of justice and courage. To tell Israel exactly what it’s done wrong.

The judges take bribes. The priests teach for a fee. The prophets tell fortunes for money. And they still lean on the LORD and say he’s with them.

Replying to @priest.jerusalem

Because of you, Zion will be ploughed like a field. Jerusalem will be a heap of rubble. The temple hill will be overgrown with trees.

In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s house will stand above every other mountain, and the peoples will stream to it. Nations will say: come on, let’s go up. He’ll teach us his ways. They’ll beat their swords into ploughs and their spears into pruning hooks. Nobody will train for war any more.

And everyone will sit under their own vine and their own fig tree, and nobody will make them afraid.

Bethlehem Ephrathah. You’re tiny, one of the smallest clans in Judah. But out of you will come a ruler for Israel. One whose beginnings go back to ancient times.

Replying to @micah.moresheth

He’ll stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD. His people will live safely, because his greatness will reach the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace.

The LORD is taking his people to court, with the mountains as the jury. His case: my people, what have I done to you? How have I worn you out? Answer me. I brought you out of Egypt. I sent you Moses, Aaron and Miriam.

Remember what Balak king of Moab wanted, and what Balaam actually said.

Balaam son of Beor@balaamSame answer I gave the first lot. Balak could give me his whole palace full of silver and gold and I still couldn’t go against what the LORD my God says.

Replying to @what.do.i.bring

He’s already told you what’s good. And what does the LORD ask of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

The rich in this city: short measures, rigged scales, a bag of false weights. You’ll eat and still be hungry. You’ll plant and not harvest. Press olives and never use the oil. Tread grapes and never drink the wine.

Feeling like someone walking the vineyard after the harvest is in. Not a grape left. Not one early fig. The faithful people have all gone. Nobody straight is left.

Replying to @micah.moresheth

Don’t trust a friend. Watch what you say even to the one lying in your arms. Sons look down on their fathers, daughters turn on their mothers. Your enemies are the people in your own house.

But me, I’m watching for the LORD. I’m waiting for the God who saves me. My God will hear me.

Don’t gloat over me, enemy. I’ve fallen, but I’ll get up. I’m sitting in the dark, but the LORD will be my light.

Who is a God like you? You forgive. You don’t stay angry for ever, because you love to show mercy. You’ll have compassion on us again. You’ll throw all our sins into the depths of the sea.