It's Not Ok...Sounding the Negative Note.

Ok, after reading this blog, you will think that I'm some whiny, bitter, old, worn out, angry preacher. I'm usually a positive person. I almost always see the glass half full. But studying some OT prophets has brought me back to reality.

Sometimes we hate to sound the negative note. We hate to be the one pointing out the problems. We'd like to pretend that everything is ok. Micah had a few people like that in his day. Note his words...

2:11 If a lying windbag should come and say,
‘I’ll promise you blessings of wine and beer,’
he would be just the right preacher for these people!

As much as I don't like to hear it, we need the prophets. We need someone to stand up and say... "It's not ok." (Speaking of speaking clearly- if you want to read a really good take on church hopping that I read today - check out Steven Furtick's blog.) In Micah's day there was a group of people avoiding justice, and claiming that nothing bad was coming down the pipe.

2:6 ‘Don’t preach with such impassioned rhetoric,’ they say excitedly.
‘These prophets should not preach of such things;
we will not be overtaken by humiliation.’

2:7 Does the family of Jacob say,
‘The Lord’s patience can’t be exhausted –he would never do such things’

We need some change quickly, our judgment is looming. We need justice. We need people to come to the defense of the weak. How are you bringing about change? You can point out the problems - which can be helpful, but even better you can bring about some solutions. I'm so thankful for friends who aren't just noting the potholes, but they are doing their best to fix them. Because I can't linger on the negative too long - notice in this passage that there is restoration...

2:12 I will certainly gather all of you, O Jacob,
I will certainly assemble those Israelites who remain.
I will bring them together like sheep in a fold,
like a flock in the middle of a pasture;
they will be so numerous that they will make a lot of noise.

2:13 The one who can break through barriers will lead them out
they will break out, pass through the gate, and leave.
Their king will advance before them, The Lord himself will lead them