Dear Reader, please join me as we use mock interviews to take closer looks at some of God’s chosen heralds of the good news of His Son’s birth.
Micah, please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m one of Jehovah’s, the Most High God, team of prophets, although you might say I’m on the B Team. Anyway, think of us as God’s pipeline to share His Word with His people, the Isrealites. I’m thankful to say I’ve served during the reigns of three kings, some better than others, but things seem to be going pretty well right now. We’re wise to always remember that, no matter how things may appear, He is the God of promise.
Thanks, Micah. Let's chat about what motivates you in your work.
Here’s the thing: just because things are going well right now doesn’t mean they’ll stay like that forever. I’m sad and embarassed to say there is corruption in Jerusalem, and God doesn’t play when it comes to righteousness.
Those vicious Assyrians have been moving down from the north, threatening to invade. God told me there’s trouble ahead, big trouble. It’s my job to get the word out to the people of Jerusalem so they might repent and turn aside God’s punishment.
11 The city’s rulers govern for bribes, the priests interpret the Law for pay, the prophets give their revelations for money—and they all claim that the Lord is with them. “No harm will come to us,” they say. “The Lord is with us.”
12 And so, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a pile of ruins, and the Temple hill will become a forest.
Micah 3: 11-12 GNT
Every job has its up and downs. What were some of yours as a prophet?
Have you ever heard the term, “fair weather friends”? Yeah, that’s kind of what it’s like with prophets and the people they are serve. They’re all good to go when I share good news, but step on their toes, and Katie bar the door!
The Hebrew children weren’t one bit happy when I tried to warn them about how they were treating each other, or at the very least tolerating poor treatment by others. And when God sent me with His judgment against them, many of the uptight, upright leaders of the community actually began to beg me to stop prophesying.
The people say, “Don’t prophesy to us. Don’t say those bad things about us. Nothing bad will happen to us.”
But people of Jacob, I must say these things. The Lord is losing his patience because of the bad things you did. If you lived right, I could say nice words to you.
Micah 2: 6-7 ERV
In terms of your ministry as a prophet, what final words would you like to share with our readers, Micah?
Yahweh is God of righteousness and judgment, but also the God of promise. He is incapable of forgetting, or breaking His promises like this one:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, are the smallest town in Judah.Your family is almost too small to count,
but the “Ruler of Israel” will come from you to rule for me. His beginnings“ are from ancient times, from long, long ago.
The Lord will let his people be defeated until the woman gives birth to her child, the promised king. Then the rest of his brothers will come back to join the people of Israel.
He will begin to rule Israel in the power of the Lord. Like a shepherd, he will lead his people in the wonderful name of the Lord his God. And they will live in safety because then his greatness will be known all over the world. He will bring a time of peace.
Micah 5: 2-5a ERV
Just one more thing for your readers, if I may. Because God, the Lord and Creator of All Things, knows and loves His children, not only did He keep His promise to send them a Savior, He told them exactly what His expectations are for each of them. You can’t get any better than that!
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.
Micah 6: 8
