Bethlehem, a bit of a backwater town, now is prophesied to
bring forth Messiah. Micah sees this one
as who is from old, from ancient
days. We can only wonder what Micah
himself thought that might mean. Did he
think it would be Moses or one of the prophets come back? His vision was this one ruling over Israel
who was at present the daughter of troops, but in the time of Messiah she would
be secure from fear. Micah's complaints
become particular in the final verses. There
will be no more war (horses and chariots, ), sorceries, idolatry, or worship of
the gods of surrounding countries. In addition
to the judgment of Israel, the Lord will bring vengeance against the nations.
"Take care then how you hear…" This Jesus said after talking about the lamp
not being hidden under a basket. What does
it mean that we are to take care how we hear?
Hearing is important in our experience and this saying fits with the
words spoken to the churches addressed in Revelation 2 and 3, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Hearing is where we receive the word of God
initially, it is what we do with what we hear that matters. Do we hear with a receptive intent or are we
simply present. Hearing is meant to be
an active thing with respect to the Word of God, not a passive activity. We hear in order to obey. It is clear in Jesus' response to his
family's entreaty, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of
God and do it.” Finally, the wind
and water obey Jesus' command, just as they had done at creation. When we pray we pray to a God who hears us
and in that hearing we expect more than listening.
Festus realizes Paul has done no civil wrong
and cannot work out what the charges are other than the Jews say Jesus is dead
but Paul, for whatever reason, maintains Him to be alive. He has no idea what charges are to be
preferred to the emperor and so has asked the king, Herod Agrippa, to listen to
them for himself in order to sort it all out.
He has heard but has not understood, he has no understanding. Felix was uniquely situated, having an
accurate knowledge of the Way, to have decided this dispute but was too crooked
to do the right thing. Now, two men who
don't understand have to make sense of it all.
Their hearing is without knowledge so how can anyone expect them to do
justice? God's will, however, will be
done.
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