Refiner's Fire

Thank you, dear readers, for your patience.  I like to be consistent in my postings, but having moved cross country from Idaho to Tennessee, it's been a challenge!  

It's interesting to move to a place where the evidence of Christianity is everywhere. Just like in Idaho, there are numerous churches.  In Idaho, it was the LDS church that made its presence greatly felt; here in Tennessee, you find a plethora of Baptist churches.  

People are polite here.  They smile, call you "honey" and have a friendliness that is very endearing.  Idaho used to be like that.  When we first moved there 25 years ago from northern California, it was refreshingly nice.  People looked you in the eye, smiled and said, "hello." I felt we had died and gone to heaven.

Change is inevitable, to be sure, but it's the kind of change that can be discouraging.  Idaho experienced a boom in population that I have never seen before.  After Covid, our state was flooded by people who were disgusted with how their governments handled the epidemic. For some, it was the final straw.  

We came to Idaho after 9/11 caused my husband to lose his job in telecommunications. HP in Boise offered him a job and we are forever grateful to God for opening up that door to us. 

Around 2020, we saw a shift. People no longer looked you in the eye or smiled; they didn't say, "hello" and seemed almost offended if you did. The drivers became more aggressive, bullying you by tailgating and some used the interstate to race other like-minded individuals.

My son-in-law calls the problem a "scarcity of resources."  If we cannot get what we want or need, a certain kind of desperation sets in, and we justify becoming meaner, more aggressive and less caring about other people. I experienced this trying to go to the head of the line at a restaurant, where my husband was waiting, having dropped him off to go and find a parking spot.  The people in front of me would not move, and I had to inch my way around them, despite telling them my husband was up at the front.  They assumed that I was (a) pulling a fast one (b) trying to take their spot, and because the restaurant was crowded, and they'd have to wait even longer, or (c) didn't want to be bothered by me or my request. 

People from states where "dog eat dog" is the norm, politeness is seen as weakness.  Everybody's just trying to survive in those states where taxes are high, everywhere is crowded, housing is expensive and crime is rife. Trust no one and just get it done

Idaho is different.  It is largely faith-based, and people believe that other people matter.  But there is a significant number of people who bring a different value system with them, and it contrasts greatly with what Idaho is all about. 

Tennessee has that same Idaho vibe, but it is much stronger.  

Resources here are not scarce.  Housing is still somewhat affordable, but some of that is changing due to people coming in from out of state with money to spare and that has had some affect on housing prices.  But people are still able to do what they need to, and you don't sense an overwhelming competitive spirit here. 

So.  What does have to do with our focus on God's justice and His prophets, specifically, Micah?

It's easy to be a believer when the larger society agrees with the values you hold.  

When people are polite. 

When they stop for you at the side of the road when you have car trouble.

When they hold the door for you when you are juggling several bags of groceries. 

In other words, it is easy to walk in faith when those around you share a common ground. But what happens when a society shifts into a more self-focused attitude, and people see you as an impediment, not a fellow human being?

That's when you lean into Jesus. More and more.  Longer and longer. In other, words, you can't draw water from society's well, and because it is no longer heathy for your soul, you seek the Living Water.  Often.  Every hour. 

Think of our persecuted brothers and sisters across the world for whom their faith in Christ can cost them their jobs, family and even their lives.

How do they endure?  

They lean into Jesus with all their heart, soul and and spirit. Maybe that is why God in the Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus' reiteration in the New Testament focuses on the whole person--mind, soul spirit--being totally dependent on God.

Society in Micah's day was careening towards judgement because the people had decided that pagan values were far more advantageous that following Yahweh.  But I suspect there were people in Micah's day who had not walked away and who leaned into Yahweh with everything they had, especially as things deteriorated morally. 

Persecution has the curious habit of separating those who are moral because they are surrounded by like-minded individuals from those who, no matter what is going on around them, depend on God for everything they are, say and do. 

Maybe that is why God allows persecution of His church, for it refines His children's faith into something more precious than gold. His children value Him above all else, and as a result, they radiate His love, kindness and wisdom as they walk in a hostile society. 

People see their joy.  Their hope.  Their willingness to speak the truth in love.  

The Refiner's fire would one day burn as Micah continued to preach. 

The Refiner's fire will burn in our future.

In the meantime, lean into Jesus.  Longer.  Every day, every hour. 

Keep preaching the Gospel, not with fiery speeches, but by radiating Jesus in everything you are, say and do.  

 

Without Vision, The People Perish (Micah 3:3-8)

I have returned!  My family and I have just relocated to Tennessee from Idaho.  We drove five days with two dogs and crossed five states.  Whew.  We are here safe and sound, awaiting for our stuff to arrive to our new house so we can enjoy unpacking billions of boxes (how did we get so much stuff?) and settling in.  I am excited to rejoin you in our discussion of Micah. 

Let's look at Micah 3:3-8:

This is what the Lord says:

“As for the prophets
who lead my people astray,
they proclaim ‘peace’
if they have something to eat,
but prepare to wage war against anyone
who refuses to feed them.

Therefore night will come over you, without visions,
and darkness, without divination.
The sun will set for the prophets,
and the day will go dark for them.

The seers will be ashamed
and the diviners disgraced.
They will all cover their faces
because there is no answer from God.”

But as for me, I am filled with power,
with the Spirit of the Lord,
and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression,
to Israel his sin.

These are not only powerful words, but powerful accusations against those who should know better.  Just as Jesus had kind words for the people, who He saw as sheep without a shepherd, He saw the leaders as rapacious wolves.  

Why?  They knew better--they had His Father's words and knew the Law. 

The nation of Israel has stopped following God's truth, having been seduced to follow their own. Who failed them?  First, their prophets.  

Proverbs 29:18 diagnoses the problem facing the nation of Israel:  "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. / But whoever obeys the law is joyful."

Why "joyful"?  God's words are meant to give us purpose, identity and hope.

Purpose:  To partner with Him, to bring His light, love and joy to a world drowning in darkness, hatred and hopelessness.

Identity:  We are His children.  We are not accidents, just merely existing until life is over. Or orphans, wandering through this life trying to work it out on our own.

Hope:  Life can be a bait and switch at times.  Life promises you the sun, moon and stars and you find out that they are made of paper maché and are hanging by twine.

But notice what Solomon says that when people do not "accept divine guidance," they "run wild."  Why?  Their flesh, infiltrated with the Fall, leads them to accept lies as truth, because this "truth" justifies what they are already doing.  The people have appropriated pagan values and live under the idea that this is the best way to live. 

But God's law, which does not allow dehumanizing each other; protects the stranger in the land; provides for the poor and the widow; protects slaves; and teaches that dependence on Yahweh is based on His covenant relationship with His people. He honors His commitment to it even when the people fail to honor theirs. 

How does God keep His people on the right path, reminding them of what He expects and how He sees the world? His prophets.

Jesus is the ultimate prophet, for His words are the fulfillment of every utterance the prophets spoke in the Hebrew scriptures.  But until the "fulness of time" when He came to us, the people needed the prophets to keep close to what God revealed through each of them.

So, these prophets in Micah's day come under scrutiny, for their utterances are not honoring God but saying what the people want to hear.  The people are satisfied and the prophets live well.  Their prophetic utterances keep them living large, for they say, "Peace!" in complete contradiction to what God's prophets are saying that judgement is coming to Israel due to their spiritual adultery.  These prophets deceive the people so that they can continue to live well. But woe unto anyone who fails to support their message, threatening their way of life.  

Hey Micah, who do you think you are?  We are doing well.  Doesn't God honor His prophets with blessings?  We are blessed.  We prophesy, the people carry on, life goes on and no one is buying what you are selling about judgment this, and judgment that.  But let us remind you, you upstart, that we have the people's ear, not you.  If you cause any of them to turn away and listen to the likes of you, watch yourself, big boy.  We will go to war and we know who will win.  We have God on our side.  How do we know?  We live well, and all those doomy and gloomy things have not happened.  There is nothing even on the horizon that supports your careless words.  

If you know what's good for you, you will take your marbles and go home. This is not a suggestion.

But God will not be mocked.  Because "His" prophets have deceived the people so they can profit from their words, God will allow the darkness to fall over them. The armies of the enemy will sweep over them as well as the people.  

God would no longer speak through them.  

He sought to inspire them.

But they conspired against Him. 

God did not abandon these prophets.

They abandoned Him.

Micah asserts where his power comes from:  Not the flesh, not the culture, not popularity amongst the people, but from God Himself.  He accepts wherever that may lead, because God's truth is more important than anything else.

Jesus carried on the same prophetic tradition of holding fast to truth, despite consequences, when he confronted Pilate:

Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” (John 18:37)

LIke Micah, who spoke with "justice and might," Jesus was Himself Justice and Might, come in the flesh, to set us back on the right path and show us what it means to walk in His Father's ways. And like Micah, we are empowered by His Spirit.

Paul's words to Timothy still ring true:

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (2 Tim. 4:2-4)