Micah 4:1-7
Today, I want to depart from the cycle of readings that make up our week and use the words of the prophet Micah. I do so, because today is the 8th. May, 75 years exactly from the ending of the II World War in Europe. The war with Japan continued for another three months.
Micah, along with the prophet Isaiah, shared a common legacy and source for this particular part of their books - both have almost the same words. They were looking to a time when peace would reign, where well-being would be evident and people would turn their weapons of war into implements for farming the land. The reading traditionally stops at verse 4 but go on to verse 7 and you see a vision of a diverse humanity restored and brought into safety.
When one thinks of the history of Israel, constantly being over-run by foreign powers and subject to brutal treatment by their powerful neighbours the vision is nothing short of fantastic. If only the leaders of the nations today, when we are fearful of another enemy threatening our very existence, and creating barriers and boundaries would heed their words.
Today, I want to depart from the cycle of readings that make up our week and use the words of the prophet Micah. I do so, because today is the 8th. May, 75 years exactly from the ending of the II World War in Europe. The war with Japan continued for another three months.
Micah, along with the prophet Isaiah, shared a common legacy and source for this particular part of their books - both have almost the same words. They were looking to a time when peace would reign, where well-being would be evident and people would turn their weapons of war into implements for farming the land. The reading traditionally stops at verse 4 but go on to verse 7 and you see a vision of a diverse humanity restored and brought into safety.
When one thinks of the history of Israel, constantly being over-run by foreign powers and subject to brutal treatment by their powerful neighbours the vision is nothing short of fantastic. If only the leaders of the nations today, when we are fearful of another enemy threatening our very existence, and creating barriers and boundaries would heed their words.