Greetings,
The prophet Micah began his address to Israel and Jerusalem by stating that all nations were to pay attention to what he was going to say. The reason seems to be based on the fact that Israel was misrepresenting God to “the earth and all that is in it” (Micah 1:2). The main culprits in this false representation were the leaders – both civil and religious. False prophets are a particular focus. “Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who make my people stray … Now hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel who abhor justice and pervert all equity” (Micah 3:5, 9).
An important lesson God sets out before us through His prophet Micah is that God seeks a relationship with His people that is deep and sincere. Man is quite happy to put on an exterior show of being righteous without addressing the deeper issues of the heart. The prophets were guilty of aiding and abetting — and sometimes even modeling — that approach. “Her heads judge for a bribe, her priests teach for pay, and her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the Lord, and say, ‘Is not the Lord among us? No harm can come upon us’” (Micah 3:11). God was peripheral to their lives. They were living as they themselves wanted, while only outwardly acknowledging God. In fact they were opposing the reality of who and what God is. The other nations were witnessing Israel’s example, hence the inclusion of all nations in Micah’s message.
This is a message reinforced by Christ in regard to the religious leadership of His day. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence … Even so you outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:25, 28).
The name “Church of God” signifies that it is God’s Church and therefore the Church must represent Him. As the Church, we are witnesses to the world of who and what God is. To do that, our relationship must be of the heart. How central to our daily thoughts and actions are God and His law – His way of life? Micah’s message focused on the internal elements God requires of us – to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). As Micah concluded his address he focused on the attributes of God by asking the question, “Who is a God like You?” (Micah 7:18). We would do well to keep that question in our daily consciousness. The answer will help us to internalize the qualities of our great God.
Feast of Tabernacles
It’s hard to believe that the Feast of Tabernacles is now just over two months away. But it’s true. Now is the time that the details of the day-to-day functions must be worked out. Some believe that “the devil is in the details”, which simply means that getting the small details right is often difficult but oh so important. The level of difficulty, however, is greatly reduced when God is in the details. And that’s where we each enter the picture.
One detail that’s needed is in the area of special services. If you need a wheel chair or some other special chair to sit in, a hearing device or help in some other way that’s unique to you, please let us know now. If you know of someone in your congregation that has a special need please assist them in submitting their information if they need help in doing so. Those going to Tulsa should contact Lee Smith by email at lacjsmith@icloud.com or by telephone at (218) 296-3167.
Those going to Oxnard can contact John Hinds at jdhinds57@hotmail.com or telephone (623) 330-3000.
Another detail we need your help with is registration. An accurate count of those registered for the Feast is necessary for projecting average numbers for catered meals. This is very important information when planning how to meet the catering commitments we have at each Feast site. So, if you haven’t already done so, please be sure and register online this coming week.
Thanks in advance for getting God in the details.
Marshall Stiver
Prayer Request:
Our elder in Boise, Idaho, Mr. Bill Eastburn has a prayer request on the website (see the “Members/Prayer Requests” section). He is in pain and has been unwell for some time and would appreciate our prayers.
Services this Sabbath will be streamed from Concord CA.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
