"For What's It's Worth": Looking At Micah's Time and Our Own

I want you to stop a moment, and reflect how Micah's day is really no different from our own. 

The world is in a mess: We are experiencing political chaos; wars and rumors of wars; deep societal divisions on how to fix the problems that beset us; thinking everyone else is wrong, and me/my friends/family/denomination/social group has it all together and everyone else is wrong/stupid/a victim of a conspiracy that they deny exists/ misled/misguided or just plain ignorant of the real issues. 

In summary: We are not moving towards resolution because our common ground is laden with land mines. 

We don't seek it because it blows up in our face every time.  

The '60's rock group, Buffalo Springfield, nailed it in (yes, it was in the Viet Nam era, but a good song escapes its time and keeps ringing true) their song, "For What It's Worth":

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
A-telling me I got to beware.

I think it's time we stop
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down.

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Are getting so much resistance from behind. 

Time we stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down.

What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and a-carrying signs
Mostly say hooray for our side. 

It's time we stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down. 

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line, the man come and take you away...

Yes. That song says it all.  

So, back to Micah and his day.  Let's ask some important questions. 

Is every priest corrupt?  Are there some that are horrified at what their fellow priest are doing and saying, but are too afraid to say anything, lest they lose their livelihood?  Do they see "results" (the people look more and more to them for guidance, and the land remains productive and fertile) so they can't completely dismiss the claims made about the pagan gods? Do they wonder if Yahweh can co-exist with the other gods, just that everyone needs to give Him more praise?  Do they wonder if Yahweh is as angry as Micah claims He is, why hasn't His judgement rained down? 

Are the corrupt priests that the only ones that matter, for they wield the most power and have the most influence? 

What about the leaders?

Are they all out for personal gain?  Are there some that are trying to honor Yahweh with what they say and do, but are overridden time and time again by the corrupt leaders?  Are all of them unjust, or are there some who do try to alleviate the plight of the poor, but secretly, so they won't be disdained by their colleagues?  Are there some who try to slip in more compassionate suggestions but find they are out voted time and time again?

Are all the leaders endlessly planning evil, or is just a few but because they are powerful, their few drops of poison are morally debilitating the people?

Are all of the people on board with the ways things are?  Are there people who privately question how their leaders and priests can so brazenly ignore the ways of Yahweh, and are waiting for Him to respond, as Micah is saying He will?  Are some of the people praying for a return to the faith of their fathers and are disgusted/saddened/angry/fearful that those who call themselves the "chosen people" are acting no differently than the pagans?

Are the young people disgusted with the hypocrisy of the leaders/priests/parents/teachers/prophets who say anything goes, despite their scriptures saying otherwise?  Do the young even know their scriptures, or has it been a long time since they sat under a Torah-centered teacher?  Or have they ever? Or do they take a pragmatic approach and decide if it ain't broke, don't fix it?  Are there some who hear the words of Micah and wonder if there is any validity to them? 

Sound familiar? 

What will be people say about our time 50 years from now?  Will they ask: 

Why didn't the people believe His word?  Follow His ways?  Honor Him by honoring each other?  Praise Him with all of their heart, mind and soul? Trusted His Son to transform their hearts and so uphold a society based on principle, not pragmatism?

Or will they ask:

What Word?

What Scriptures?

What are you talking about? 

Jesus?  Who's that?

Or will there be a remnant who will teach/preach/live/adore His word, His ways and His Son?

Pray for that remnant.

Pray to be that remnant.