A FEW MINUTES WITH MICAH

BEN F. VICK, JR.

One of the twelve Minor Prophets was Micah the Morasthite.  His name means “Who Is Like Jehovah.”  He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.  He was from the small town of Moresheth-gath, located about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem, near the Philistine border.  His prophetic activity was approximately from 735 B.C. to 700 B.C.  He was a younger contemporary of Isaiah.  One source says, “His father’s name is not mentioned, so scholars conclude that his family was of insignificant and humble status.  Micah is a master in his use of classical Hebrew poetry.  He champions the cause of the oppressed peasants against the arrogant rich.  His plea for true religion is equaled only by James (cf. 6:6-8 with Jas. 1:27).” 

Prior to Jotham’s coming to the throne in Judah, his father, Uzziah, reigned.  Judah had prospered under Uzziah’s rule, but with prosperity often comes evils.  There was a falling away from the Lord.  Judah was constantly being threatened by foreign powers during this time.  The people went through the rituals of religion but were not really dedicated to the Lord.

One of the key passages in Micah is found in 4:1-2.  If one has read Isaiah, he will see familiar words in Isaiah 2:2-3.  Some might falsely surmise that one copied from the other.  However, the Holy Spirit guided both prophets (2 Peter 1:19-21).  Evidently God wanted both prophets to preach this message, a prophecy regarding the time and place of the coming of the church or kingdom.

Micah wrote, “But in the last days it shall come to pass, That the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, And it shall be exalted above the hills; And people shall flow unto it.  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, And to the house of the God of Jacob; And he will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in his paths: For the law shall go forth of Zion, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:1-2.)

“The last days” refers to the gospel age.  We are living in the last days now, the gospel age.  Peter pointed out the beginning of these last days in his recorded sermon in Acts 2. Something, according to this prophecy, would take place in the last days.  What was it?  “The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains.”  “The mountain of the house of the Lord” is the church.  Paul wrote, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:15.)

The expression “in the top of the mountains” could be taken literally for Jerusalem because it is 2500 feet above sea level; however, it seems to me, the prophecy is figurative for the exalted position of the church. Paul tells of the preeminent position of Christ after he ascended into heaven:  “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph. 1:19-23.) Those who are in his church are in a high and lofty position with Christ for we read, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Eph. 2:4-6.)

Notice too that the Micah text says, “…it shall be exalted above the hills.”  The church is a divine institution.  It should come first in our lives.  It is more important than any other organization. We should exalt it in our own lives, putting it before any human institution.  It is ignorance for one to say something like:  Give me Jesus, but not the church.  The church is his body.  It is exalted as is He.  For one to think that the church is unessential or unimportant is a failure to see its exalted place in the eyes of God. 

Micah also prophesied, “…people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up [what did I say about the exalted position of the church?)] to the mountain of the Lord….” “Many nations” shows the gospel is for all.  It is not limited to one ethnicity, one race, one nation, one people, but it is for all people.  “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel,” Jesus said.

The mountain of the Lord’s house, the house of the God of Jacob” is the church.  Gabriel said to Mary concerning her son, Jesus: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33.) Christ is reigning over the house of Jacob, the kingdom of God now. 

God “will teach us of his ways,” the text tells us.  One must be taught before becoming a subject within this kingdom, or a member of the house of God (John 6:44-45).  Under the law of Moses, an Israelite born into the world was in that old covenant.  Then, he had to be taught; however, under the new covenant, one must be taught first (Heb. 8:6-13.) An untaught person cannot be in the covenant, though he is obligated to it.

Once one learns of God’s ways, he is to walk in his paths.  Being taught is not enough; one must also follow in the paths the Lord has laid down in his word.  Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21.)

Observe the beginning place of “the house of the God of Jacob,” the church. Micah wrote, “for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Any church that did not begin in Jerusalem cannot be the church one reads of in the Bible. Acts 2 tells of the beginning of the church.

NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS

BEN F. VICK, JR.

Jesus Christ, from a mountain somewhere in Galilee, said, “No man can serve two masters:  for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt. 6:24.)  These words were spoken in the context of what man’s view toward material things should be.  In preceding verses, Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselvestreasures upon earth,...But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,…”  (Matt. 6:19, 20.)  Then, in verse 33, he said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Every argument made and every sermon preached by our Lord was logical.  In verses 21-24, he speaks of the heart, the eye, and service (or action).  Service begins from the heart; the eye sees the object to be obtained; the will, or volition, then bows (serves or acts) in humble submission.  For instance, a man desires material wealth; he places his attention upon it; and by his actions he seeks it.  On the other hand, one whose heart is on things above will keep his eye on the goal and will, in turn, exert his efforts in laying up treasures in the heavenly home.

Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters.”  In spite of, or in ignorance of, this statement, many think that they are the exception to this maxim.  But Jesus said, “no man.”  That means you, and it means me as well.

The world looks upon those who pick up the towel of service as contemptible.  They are considered the low class, even though Jesus said they are the greatest.  (Lk. 22:26.)  Yet, in reality, all are servants, the difference being in whom or what we serve.  “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness.”  (Rom. 6:16.)  The question each must answer is:  Whom shall I serve?

In the context, God and mammon are the two masters.  McGarvey says that “Mammon is a Chaldee term for riches.”  (Commentary on Matthew and Mark, p. 67.)  The Emphatic Diaglott’s footnote reads, “Mammon is a Syriac word for riches, which our Lord beautifully represents as a person whom the folly of men had deified.”  (P. 28.)  It is like “the Almighty Dollar” of which one speaks.

The reason man cannot serve two masters is because he will either “hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.”  It is impossible to serve two masters at the same time, because one’s heart will be divided; one’s eye will see double; one’s service will be one-sided.  There is no middle ground.

Yet men have in ages past attempted to serve two masters at the same time.  Jehoshaphat tried it.  “And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord.  Howbeit the high places were not taken away:…” (II Chron. 20:32-33.)  Amaziah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.” (II Chron. 25:2,14.)  The foreigners who were brought into the cities of Samaria were taught to fear the Lord; but they, too, were doubleminded.  “So these nations feared the Lord and served their graven images…” (II Kings 17:24-41.)  Concerning Israel, Hosea said, “Their heart is divided.” (Hosea 10:2.)  Judah followed her steps: “...Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord.” (Jer. 3:10.) 

The world and too many in the Lord’s body are anxious over material possessions.  They are laying up treasures upon the earth.  They are plagued with poor eyesight.  They are seeking other things before the kingdom of heaven.  Many are filling their time in service unto the god mammon.  Let each of us guard our hearts that the “they” does not become “us.”  (Prov. 4:23; Lk. 12:15.)  It is true that we cannot take it with us, but we can send it on ahead.

God is a jealous God.  (II Cor. 11:2.)  He demands our all.  (Matt. 22:37.)  Partial service to God is no service at all.  “God will accept none of our service unless he has it all.  Satan is willing to accept a part because he knows that by securing a part he really gets it all.” (McGarvey, Commentary on Matthew and Mark, p. 67.)

ARABIAN PROVERB

A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping

And

With the breath of kindness

Blow the rest away.

"A JONAH TO OURSELVES"

       As a young man, this writer would often hear my mother reply, “You are a Joner to yourself.” This was her way of saying in her Northwest Florida country style that I was a “Jonah” unto myself.  Never did I inquire while my mother lived what she meant by that saying.  The expression was stated in view of my action, or lack of it, that was attempted or not attempted by me.  While studying at the Memphis School of Preaching the book of Jonah, it dawned on me what my mother had so rightly depicted concerning my actions.

The Meaning of “A Jonah”

God told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and preach to those people (Jonah 1:2).  But Jonah tried to flee and hide from God, taking a ship to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3).  God prepared a fish (whale) and a storm; Jonah was cast overboard by the men on the ship.

Jonah

Jonah spent three days and three nights in the whale.  The Bible account says, “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord.” He had tried to run from God and his responsibility of going and preaching. The fish delivered (vomited) Jonah safely to dry land, and he went and did what the Lord had said to do.

The lesson is this:  The best thing for Jonah to have done was to go and preach when God said to go, but he did not. What my mother stated was true. Because too many people, too many times today, wind up doing just the opposite of what is best. 

Application

In the church of our Lord, we are often “Jonahs” unto ourselves.  We are “Jonahs unto ourselves” when we:

· Fail to give liberally and sacrificially (Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 8:1-4).

· Fail to attend all the services of the church (Heb. 10:25).

· Fail to conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner (1 Peter 2:21).

· Fail to teach the lost the Truth (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).

· Fail to do good unto all men (Gal. 6:10).

· Get so busy that we do not have time to put “first things first” (Matt. 6:33).

Yes, truly, too many are “Jonahs unto themselves” when it comes to doing what God would have us to do. But, good people, take note:  “Like Jonah, neither you nor I can run and hide from God or our responsibilities!”

My mother was so right!

--Ray Peters

Sunset Sentinel

Vol. 1 Num. 9

  June 19, 1980

More Thoughts On Jonah

Jonah and the great fish.  But Jesus said it was a whale,  not because of its species, but because of its size.  In other words, it was a whale of a fish.  So Jonah was delivered by the whale on time, and I believe he hit the shore trotting.

—Foy E. Wallace, Jr.

What to Preach

When I in high school, I tried to preach a few times in South Georgia and North Florida (1968-70).  There was no regular congregation for which I preached.  On those occasions, I preached all I knew and then some.  Brother Prewitte Copeland, former Principal at Georgia Christian School, arranged for me and others to preach at Morvan, Georgia, and Madison, Florida.  In 1971-74 when I was at Harding College (now University), I preached a time or two at Beebe, Arkansas, and began preaching regularly at Possum Grape, Arkansas. Later, while in the Memphis School of Preaching, I tried to preach at various congregations:  Bogota, Stanton, Memphis of Tennessee; Sardis, Ripley, Nesbit, Toccopola, all in Mississippi: Wilson, Manilla, and West Memphis of Arkansas.  When I completed the work at MSOP, my first full-time work was in Auburn, Indiana.  I have been at the Shelbyville Road church of Christ since 1980.  I am still trying to preach.

But one of the most challenging questions for me from the beginning has been, and still is:  “What do I preach?”  God gave Jonah the answer, and it is the same answer today: “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” (Jonah 3:2.)  God does not speak to us as he did to Jonah.  We do not have to go to Nineveh to preach.  But we must preach the preaching that God has bidden us preach.  Paul put it this way: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2.)

If a man preaches the word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, we should support him and encourage him in his efforts.  Brother W. L. Totty told me that most people do not understand what is involved in preaching.  He said if they had to get up one lesson, they would understand better.  Preaching does not end with one sermon.  He even thinks about lessons when on vacation.  His work never leaves him.  When he finishes a sermon, he is thinking about the next one. 

—Ben F. Vick, Jr.

OBADIAH, PART II

BEN F. VICK, JR.

      Pride would be the downfall of Edom.  Obadiah wrote, "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.” (Obad. 3-4.)

Pride is deceptive.  It causes one to exalt himself, to think more highly of himself than he ought to think.  Paul commanded, "Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Rom. 12:3, 16.)  The Wise Man wrote, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18.)  God hates a proud look (Prov. 6: 16ff).  To fear the Lord means one will hate pride and arrogancy and the froward mouth." (Prov. 8:13.)   Jeremiah warned: "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." (Jer. 9:23-24.)

What is it that keeps an individual from obeying the gospel?  I am sure there are many factors, but one that prevents some from becoming Christians is pride.  They may be more concerned with their reputation or what others will say rather than doing the will of God.  The wayward child of God may be of the same mindset. He may not want to confess his wrong.  When all appear before the judgment bar of God on the last day, pride will bow the knee and confess Christ; however, it will be too late to change one's destiny. 

The Edomites thought they were impregnable and unbeatable because of the territory where they lived.  Nelson explains about Edom or "SEIR…The mountainous country stretching from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, east of the gorge called the Arabah” (Gen 14:6).  The elevations of Seir range from 183 meters (600 feet) to 1,830 meters (6,000 feet).  Two of Seir's outstanding features are Mount Hor, where Aaron died (Num 20:27-28), and the ancient city of rock, Petra or Sela (Isa 16:1).  The region was named after a Horite (Hurrian) patriarch whose descendants settled in this area.  I visited Petra in 1978, and it is understandable why the Edomites thought they were untouchable.  To get to the center of the rock or Sela (Petra), one must travel on horseback for about 30 minutes through a narrow gorge in which one can only see the sun if it is high noon.  A small garrison could hold off an army in that kind of terrain.  However, though the Edomites thought they could not be brought down, God would show them otherwise.  And though robbers might leave some things and grape gatherers might leave a few grapes, God promised to leave nothing.

The Apostle Paul warned, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Cor. 10:12.)  Pride causes one to be delusional about his ability and his greatness.  God has a way of bringing man to his knees, if not in this life, certainly at the last great day.  A wise man said, "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom." (Prov. 11:2) Again, from the book of wise sayings: "Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18.) Jesus said, "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matt. 23:12.)

The greatness, majesty, glory, wisdom, power, and love of God should cause us to bow before his throne, realizing how small we are. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."   (Matt. 5:3)

Let us learn one of the lessons from the little book of Obadiah: Pride will bring us down.  

OBADIAH

BEN F. VICK, JR.

The shortest book in the Old Testament, which is never quoted in the New Testament, is the book of Obadiah.  The author was Obadiah, a name attached to thirteen men in the Old Testament.  No one can speak with certainty as to who this Obadiah was.  The twenty-one verses were written to Edom, a small country located south of the Dead Sea.  It was about 50 miles wide and 100 miles long, stretching from the southern end of the Dead Sea to the eastern branch of the Red Sea.  There are two schools of thought as to the date of the book.  One view is that it was written in 587 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar's army ransacked the city, having razed the walls, burned the palaces and the temple, and having deported the king and others.  However, there is no mention of any of these things in the short book.  The second view is when the Arabs and Philistines attacked Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoram around 845 B.C.  (2 Chron. 21:16).  This date seems more plausible to some; however, I lean toward the late date. It makes no difference because the message is the same.

Though the book of Obadiah is short, it is not without some valuable lessons.  Paul wrote,  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3:16-17.)  Thus, to the Roman saints, Paul penned these words: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15:4.)

The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob.  Though twins, they differed in physical appearance, disposition, and later, in spiritual concerns, as two could be.  Esau was born red and hairy and became a cunning hunter.  He was an outdoorsman.  Jacob, which means "heel-grabber," grew to be a plain man, dwelling in tents.  "Plain" means gentle or a quiet sort of person.  He was more of a homebody, as we might use the expression. 

The writer of Hebrews calls Esau a profane man.  Profane means ungodly or worldly.  He sold his birthright for a pottage of lentils or a bowl of beans.  He was thinking of the here and now rather than the spiritual and the eternal.  So, in a moment of weakness, Jacob took advantage of him. Jacob also stole his blessing (Gen. 27).  Isaac told Jacob, having thought he was Esau, "let thy mother's sons bow down to thee." (Gen. 27:29.) Esau's descendants would serve Jacob's descendants (Gen. 25: 23; 27:40.)   After Jacob had stolen the blessing from him, Esau found peace in the thought that he would slay his brother (Gen. 27:41-42.)  That is sad to think that one would find peace of mind in the idea of murdering or harming one's brother.  But that is the mindset of a profane man.  

Just as friction existed between Jacob and Esau, their descendants also had troubled times.  The history of the Edomites and Israel was always stormy, even though God had told Israel not to meddle with them (Deut. 2:4- 6).  Nevertheless, the Edomite was not to be abhorred (Deut. 23:7).   When Israel arrived on the border of Edom, they requested permission to pass through their land.  They had promised that they would not take anything but travel the king's highway; however, Edom met them at their border with the sword in hand, ready to wipe them out if they attempted to pass through their country.  As history reports, Israel circled Edom to avoid a battle with her brother, Edom.  King Saul made war against Edom   (I Sam. 14:47).  King David subdued them during his reign    (I Kings 11:14-16; I Chron. 18:11-13).  He put garrisons in Edom (II Sam. 8:14).  God said, "Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me." (Psalms 60:8.  See also 108:9, 10.)  Edom became confederates of Jehoshaphat (II Kings 3:9,26).  She revolted in the days of Joram (II Kings 8:20-22).  Later, Edom joined forces with the enemies of Judah (Ezek. 35:5; Amos 1:11-12; Obadiah 11-16).  There were also prophecies about Edom (Jeremiah 49: 7-22; Ezek. 35).  She was an enemy of Israel, ultimately being subdued by the Maccabees.  John Hyrcanus forced the Edomites to follow the law of Moses.  The Idumeans from whom the Herods came were descendants of Edom.   Isaiah the prophet wrote, "The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night?  Watchman, what of the night?" (Isaiah 21:11.)  What are the things that would bring Edom down?

--To be continued