The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-09-14
MICAH

In the little town of Moresha, on
the Philistine border, 80 miles south
west of Jerusalem, about TAO B. c.,
Micah was born. The period of his
preaching covers the reign of lothian,
Ahaz and Hezekiah. He was con-
temporary with Isaiah, also part time
with Hosea.
In the early part of his ministry he
predicted the fall of Samaria, the
Northen capital, which he lived to see.
This was the great historic event of
his day.
Isaiah and Micah are a striking ex-
ample of the vanity of the instru-
ments which God chooses for con1mu-
nicating His message and accomplish
ing His purposes. But, remarkable
as are the differences between them,
the unity of their aims and teaching
is no less remarkable. 1t bears wit
ness to the identity of the source
from which their inspiration sprang.
Isaiah was the counsellor and friend
of kinds, intimate with priests and no
bles, we'll acquainted with the various
parties of statesmen in Judah. His
home was at Jerusalem, the center of
national life. Micah was simple
countryman, born Of obscure parent
age, in an otherwise unknown village
His prophecy shows that he was in
closest touch and sympathy with the
class of yeoman whose wrongs he so
graphically describes, and to which, in
all probability, like Amos, he be-
longed.
One of the beautiful privileges
vouchsafed to this humble prophet
was the prediction of Bethlehem as
the birthplace of One who would come
out of eternity and rule and bless all
nations, and fulfill the promise made
to Abraham.
To the countryman, the sins of the
nation seemed to be concentrated in
the capitals. Samaria and Jerusalem
are marked out for inevitable destruc-
ton. Failure of the nation to meet
the requirements of social morality
and religious duty are the reasons fol
this destruction. His rural back
ground is evident in the striking sim.
lie employed to describe the coming
doom: "Zion shall be ploughed as a
field, and Jerusalem shall become
heaps of ruin, and the mountain OF
the house as the high places Of the
forest" Micah's message is primar.
lily message of judgment. Jehovah
cometh forth out of His place annie
awful commissions of nature, melting
mountains and valleys cleaving like
wax, waters poured down a steer
place, carrying all before their tor
rental rush.
Selfish acquisition of wealth is the
fundamental cause of the divine wrath
The strong covet fields, and seize
them; and take them away. They op'
press a man and his house. The courts
also Join in this Ubiquitous oppres'
sion of the poor, the judges being
equally ready to do friendly TURF
for a powerful neighbor. "They SET
both hands to evil to do it" thorough
ly. The prince asketh, and the judge
giveth judgment for a reward, anc
the great man, he uttereth the mis-
chief of his soul and they weave it to.
gether! Justice is blighted. No one
can be trusted. A mans enemies are
those of his own house.
Where can a remedy be found ?
Abundant sacrifices, even thousands
of rams, or ten thousands Of rivers
of oil will not suffice. Nor will the
offering of the first-born remove the
burden of their guilt. Micah gives
the only answer in Chapter 6:8: "He
hath showed thee, o man, what is
good: and what doth the Lord require
of thee, but to do justly, and to love