Slices
Prepare
Have you ever been in a situation where it was hard being in a minority as a Christian? How did it feel and how did you respond? Looking back, how might you have responded differently?
Bible passage
A promised ruler from Bethlehem
5 Marshal your troops now, city of troops,
for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel’s ruler
on the cheek with a rod.
2 ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.’
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labour bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be our peace
when the Assyrians invade our land
and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
even eight commanders,
6 who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.
He will deliver us from the Assyrians
when they invade our land
and march across our borders.
7 The remnant of Jacob will be
in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the Lord,
like showers on the grass,
which do not wait for anyone
or depend on man.
8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,
in the midst of many peoples,
like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
which mauls and mangles as it goes,
and no one can rescue.
9 Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies,
and all your foes will be destroyed.
10 ‘In that day,’ declares the Lord,
‘I will destroy your horses from among you
and demolish your chariots.
11 I will destroy the cities of your land
and tear down all your strongholds.
12 I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.
13 I will destroy your idols
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles
when I demolish your cities.
15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath
on the nations that have not obeyed me.’
Explore
Did you make it through the reading without singing ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’?
The suffering of Israel would not be resolved by human ingenuity, nor their enemies overthrown by violent rebellion. Rather, Micah prophesies that God himself will intervene to establish a new leader, to be born in an obscure little town near Jerusalem (v 2). This strong, majestic and godly leader (v 4) will finally become the nation’s peace (v 5). The people he leads will be a minority (remnant), and it is therefore perhaps surprising that their purified lives (vs 10– 14) will have a positive effect on the world. Living in ‘the midst of many peoples’ they will be a refreshing presence (v 7), and a tenacious force for God’s truth (v 8).
As Christians today, in the minority in our countries, it’s easy to become defensive or to pull up the drawbridge against a hostile culture. But the people of God’s King from Bethlehem have a mandate to be a force for good wherever they are and whatever they do.
Respond
Think of one situation where you can make a difference this week by being a source of God’s refreshment, or a courageous bearer of God’s truth. Pray for that situation and your role there now.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ecclesiastes 12; 1 Timothy 3
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks to God for Carolyn and Jenni and for all Faith Guides and Mission Enablers across the country, as they work so hard to reveal Jesus to children and young people.
This week's prayers relate to this article. Please pray for all Faith Guides, and for the Scripture Union Mission Enablers who support them.
