Justice for the Poor

~~~ Micah 2:1-5 ~~~ Psalm 10 ~~~ Matthew 12: 14-21 ~~~

Micah was a minor prophet during the reigns of Ahaz and Hezekiah,

whom you may recognize from recent OT readings.

Micah's writings speak of justice, love, care and concern for the poor.

It is believed that Micah greatly influenced Hezekiah's reforms.

Micah boldly attacked those who would exploit the poor.

Today's reading we see strong words against those in power.

"...Therefore thus says the LORD:
Behold, I am planning against this race an evil
from which you shall not withdraw your necks;
Nor shall you walk with head high,
for it will be a time of evil."

Micah is giving fair warning...what you are plotting is not going

unnoticed by God.
Each prophecy of judgment by God also includes his

promise of love and mercy.

If you read more from the book of Micah you may wonder

if it was really written centuries ago.

Micah 6: 8 gives us the beautiful words included in the hymn

We Are Called

"...You have been told, O man, what is good,

and what the Lord requires of you:

Only to do right and to love goodness,

and to walk humbly with God."

I invite you to spend some time in the book of Micah.

He was a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah even though we do not

hear his words proclaimed very often.

The psalm continues to focus our attention on the poor.

Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

"...You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,
taking them in your hands.
On you the unfortunate man depends;
of the fatherless you are the helper."

Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

This psalm is reaching out to the poor assuring them that they

have the attention of our compassionate God.

In spite of all the good Jesus spread on his travels from town to town;

 those in power were devising a plan to oppress him.

Jesus was being forced into the same position as the poor.

He had to flee and act in hiding many times until the time

came for him to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah...

"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope."

The prophet sums up the passion of Jesus here in these few lines of text.

The last line 'and in his name the Gentiles will hope'

is a message for us today.

We are the 'Gentiles' and we do place our hope in Jesus.

No matter how low you may be feeling...

like a bruised reed or a smoldering wick

Jesus wants you to place your hope in him.

He alone can make all things right.

He alone has the final judgment call of justice.

We are called to walk humbly with God.