WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.840 Nancy: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.920 --> 00:00:04.260 Day 200 and 48 00:00:05.132 --> 00:00:06.692 immersed in Micah. 00:00:08.882 --> 00:00:12.062 The name Micah means who is like Yahweh. 00:00:12.947 --> 00:00:17.267 So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Micah's Short Book of Prophetic 00:00:17.267 --> 00:00:23.087 Oracles focuses on God's unique character, especially in the context 00:00:23.087 --> 00:00:29.447 of his covenant relationship with his people, because God is holy and wants 00:00:29.447 --> 00:00:31.757 his people to be a light to the world. 00:00:32.387 --> 00:00:36.917 Micah warns his compatriots in Judah that God is about to judge and 00:00:36.917 --> 00:00:39.317 punish them for their unfaithfulness. 00:00:40.487 --> 00:00:44.717 Like the people of the Northern Kingdom, the people of Judah were 00:00:44.717 --> 00:00:49.847 also exploiting the poor, violating the protections for the vulnerable 00:00:49.847 --> 00:00:51.797 built into the law of Moses. 00:00:52.727 --> 00:00:58.187 How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights? 00:00:58.847 --> 00:01:05.057 God asks, through Micah, the rich among you have become wealthy through extortion 00:01:05.057 --> 00:01:08.867 and violence, and so Micah warns. 00:01:09.662 --> 00:01:13.142 Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field. 00:01:13.502 --> 00:01:20.732 Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins, but Micah's messages do not end with judgment. 00:01:21.512 --> 00:01:25.502 The Lord of the covenant is supremely the God of forgiveness, 00:01:25.652 --> 00:01:28.502 compassion, and loyalty to his people. 00:01:29.342 --> 00:01:34.262 Micah emphatically affirms that God will keep his promises to heal and 00:01:34.262 --> 00:01:38.282 restore once again in the prophets hope. 00:01:38.552 --> 00:01:40.112 Gets the final word. 00:01:41.402 --> 00:01:46.322 Micah's collection of oracles is organized into three groups, not 00:01:46.322 --> 00:01:48.512 chronologically, but thematically. 00:01:49.352 --> 00:01:53.432 Each group begins with prophecies of ruin before presenting 00:01:53.432 --> 00:01:55.682 hopeful promises of restoration. 00:01:56.372 --> 00:02:00.332 An example of the message of judgment can be found at the beginning 00:02:00.332 --> 00:02:02.012 of the third set of Oracles. 00:02:02.882 --> 00:02:08.822 Here Micah uses the prophetic technique of the covenant lawsuit as Hosea did, 00:02:09.452 --> 00:02:13.922 in which God brings the people to trial for breaking their covenant with him. 00:02:15.032 --> 00:02:17.072 Listen to the Lord's complaint. 00:02:17.372 --> 00:02:21.272 Micah says he has a case against his people. 00:02:22.172 --> 00:02:27.692 God reviews earlier biblical stories to show that he has consistently protected 00:02:27.692 --> 00:02:29.762 the people and provided for them. 00:02:30.587 --> 00:02:34.997 In response, Micah wonders aloud what compensation they 00:02:34.997 --> 00:02:37.487 can possibly offer back to God. 00:02:38.507 --> 00:02:43.757 The people clearly believe that all they need to do is offer sacrifices and they 00:02:43.757 --> 00:02:46.157 complain about even having to do that. 00:02:46.937 --> 00:02:53.237 But what the Lord really requires is this, to do what is right, to love 00:02:53.237 --> 00:02:56.807 mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. 00:02:57.782 --> 00:03:03.392 Disaster ultimately does arrive during the reign of Hezekiah as the Assyrians 00:03:03.392 --> 00:03:08.552 invade Judah after conquering and destroying the northern kingdom of Israel. 00:03:09.392 --> 00:03:13.292 In response to the Assyrian invasion, Micah declares 00:03:13.292 --> 00:03:15.152 about King David's birthplace. 00:03:15.392 --> 00:03:18.242 You oh Bethlehem Aha. 00:03:18.982 --> 00:03:22.352 Are only a small village among all the people of Judah. 00:03:23.072 --> 00:03:27.662 Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past 00:03:27.962 --> 00:03:30.362 will come from you on my behalf. 00:03:31.142 --> 00:03:36.482 The immediate reference is to Hezekiah, a godly king in the line of David 00:03:36.487 --> 00:03:40.832 whose trust in the Lord would turn back the Assyrian invasion in Judah. 00:03:41.192 --> 00:03:46.772 But the author of the Gospel of Matthew looks back to this passage and sees 00:03:46.772 --> 00:03:48.992 a reference to Jesus the Messiah. 00:03:49.592 --> 00:03:53.222 Who was also born in Bethlehem, the city of David. 00:03:54.302 --> 00:03:58.442 The prophets often speak to both the present and the future in 00:03:58.442 --> 00:04:04.022 such passages, creating a longing for God's ultimate redemption and 00:04:04.027 --> 00:04:06.092 the restoration of all things. 00:04:06.887 --> 00:04:11.387 Micah speaks of a hope that looks beyond the current generation 00:04:11.447 --> 00:04:16.157 and foresees that after Judah is exiled to Babylon, they will be 00:04:16.157 --> 00:04:18.587 brought back in a great deliverance. 00:04:18.767 --> 00:04:22.277 Not unlike the Exodus God promises. 00:04:22.847 --> 00:04:27.497 I will do mighty miracles for you like those I did when I 00:04:27.502 --> 00:04:29.957 rescued you from slavery in Egypt. 00:04:31.052 --> 00:04:35.702 Perhaps the most marvelous oracle in the whole book is placed right 00:04:35.702 --> 00:04:39.302 at its center in the middle of the second group of Oracles. 00:04:39.692 --> 00:04:45.812 Just as the theme changes from ruin to restoration in the last days, the 00:04:45.817 --> 00:04:50.912 mountain of the Lord's house will be the highest of all Micah Envisions, 00:04:51.632 --> 00:04:55.862 and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. 00:04:56.642 --> 00:05:03.572 People from many nations will come and say, come let us go up to the mountain 00:05:03.572 --> 00:05:06.662 of the Lord, to the House of Jacob's God. 00:05:07.412 --> 00:05:12.182 There he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths. 00:05:13.202 --> 00:05:16.382 Israel's story will determine the world's story. 00:05:17.417 --> 00:05:22.877 The vision of God's salvation spreading over the whole earth is a bright light 00:05:22.937 --> 00:05:27.527 that shines forth from the whole prophetic collection pointing to the glorious 00:05:27.527 --> 00:05:29.747 culmination of the Bible's story. 00:05:29.927 --> 00:05:31.547 In Jesus the Messiah, 00:05:37.117 --> 00:05:38.357 the prophet Micah, 00:05:40.427 --> 00:05:45.097 the Lord, gave this message to Micah of Moha during the years when Jotham. 00:05:46.007 --> 00:05:48.467 Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. 00:05:49.877 --> 00:05:55.697 The visions he saw concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem attention. 00:05:56.357 --> 00:05:58.337 Let all the people of the world listen. 00:05:58.937 --> 00:06:00.647 Let the Earth and everything in it. 00:06:00.647 --> 00:06:05.507 Here, the sovereign Lord is making accusations against you. 00:06:06.017 --> 00:06:08.207 The Lord speaks from his holy temple. 00:06:08.957 --> 00:06:10.677 Look, the Lord is coming. 00:06:11.567 --> 00:06:15.437 He leaves his throne in heaven and tramples the heights of the earth. 00:06:16.397 --> 00:06:21.257 The mountains melt beneath his feet and flow into the valleys like wax in 00:06:21.257 --> 00:06:24.587 a fire, like water pouring down a hill. 00:06:25.607 --> 00:06:27.107 And why is this happening? 00:06:27.947 --> 00:06:29.867 Because of the rebellion of Israel. 00:06:30.437 --> 00:06:30.587 Yes. 00:06:31.397 --> 00:06:32.987 The sins of the whole nation. 00:06:34.127 --> 00:06:36.257 Who was to blame for Israel's rebellion? 00:06:36.827 --> 00:06:37.547 Samaria. 00:06:37.787 --> 00:06:39.077 Its capital city. 00:06:39.962 --> 00:06:42.452 Where is the center of idolatry in Judah? 00:06:42.842 --> 00:06:44.762 In Jerusalem, its capital. 00:06:45.692 --> 00:06:50.312 So I, the Lord will make the city of Samaria a heap of ruins. 00:06:51.362 --> 00:06:54.182 Her streets will be plowed up for planting vineyards. 00:06:54.932 --> 00:06:58.142 I will roll the stones of her walls into the valley below, 00:06:58.382 --> 00:07:00.002 exposing her foundations. 00:07:00.812 --> 00:07:03.212 All her carved images will be smashed. 00:07:03.752 --> 00:07:05.882 All her sacred treasures will be burned. 00:07:06.827 --> 00:07:10.157 These things were bought with the money earned by her prostitution, 00:07:10.607 --> 00:07:14.567 and they will now be carried away to pay prostitutes elsewhere. 00:07:15.557 --> 00:07:17.987 Therefore, I will mourn and lament. 00:07:18.527 --> 00:07:20.837 I will walk around barefoot and naked. 00:07:21.527 --> 00:07:27.287 I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl for my people's 00:07:27.287 --> 00:07:29.117 wound is too deep to heal. 00:07:29.897 --> 00:07:33.197 It has reached into Judah, even to the gates of Jerusalem. 00:07:34.412 --> 00:07:37.562 Don't tell our enemies in gath, don't weep at all. 00:07:38.492 --> 00:07:42.872 You people in Bethle Afra roll in the dust to show your despair. 00:07:43.682 --> 00:07:48.782 You people in Schaffer go as captives into exile, naked and ashamed. 00:07:49.682 --> 00:07:53.222 The people of Zan Ann dare not come outside their walls. 00:07:54.032 --> 00:07:57.872 The people of Beth Easel mourn for their house has no support. 00:07:58.802 --> 00:08:02.162 The people of Marath anxiously wait for relief. 00:08:02.702 --> 00:08:06.392 But only bitterness awaits them as the Lord's judgment reaches 00:08:06.392 --> 00:08:08.222 even to the gates of Jerusalem. 00:08:09.242 --> 00:08:13.172 Harness your chariot horses and flee you people of Laish. 00:08:14.102 --> 00:08:17.732 You were the first city in Judah to follow Israel and her rebellion, 00:08:18.332 --> 00:08:20.342 and you led Jerusalem into sin. 00:08:21.392 --> 00:08:24.002 Send farewell gifts to Mohe Gath. 00:08:24.602 --> 00:08:26.282 There was no hope of saving it. 00:08:27.212 --> 00:08:30.722 The town of Ax IB has deceived the kings of Israel. 00:08:31.472 --> 00:08:33.032 Oh people of Maritia. 00:08:33.332 --> 00:08:37.382 I will bring a conqueror to capture your town and the leaders 00:08:37.382 --> 00:08:39.152 of Israel will go to a dollum. 00:08:40.562 --> 00:08:41.972 Oh people of Judah. 00:08:42.392 --> 00:08:47.672 Shave your heads and sorrow for the children you love will be snatched away. 00:08:48.542 --> 00:08:52.622 Make yourselves as bald as a vulture for your little ones 00:08:52.622 --> 00:08:54.752 will be exiled to distant lands. 00:08:56.222 --> 00:08:57.812 What sorrow awaits you? 00:08:57.812 --> 00:08:58.882 Who lay awake at night? 00:08:59.792 --> 00:09:05.552 Thinking up evil plans, you rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out simply 00:09:05.552 --> 00:09:07.472 because you have the power to do so. 00:09:08.462 --> 00:09:11.462 When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. 00:09:12.362 --> 00:09:16.322 When you want someone's house, you take it by fraud and violence. 00:09:16.572 --> 00:09:21.182 You cheat a man of his property stealing his family's inheritance, 00:09:22.322 --> 00:09:24.662 but this is what the Lord says. 00:09:25.622 --> 00:09:28.202 I will reward your evil with evil. 00:09:29.177 --> 00:09:31.517 You won't be able to pull your neck out of the noose. 00:09:32.117 --> 00:09:38.237 You will no longer walk around proudly for it will be a terrible time and that 00:09:38.242 --> 00:09:43.127 day your enemies will make fun of you by singing this song of despair about you. 00:09:44.147 --> 00:09:46.547 We are finished completely ruined. 00:09:46.907 --> 00:09:50.027 God has confiscated our land taking it from us. 00:09:50.927 --> 00:09:53.417 He has given our fields to those who betrayed us. 00:09:54.737 --> 00:09:58.127 Others will set your boundaries then, and the Lord's people will have 00:09:58.127 --> 00:10:00.167 no say in how the land is divided. 00:10:01.457 --> 00:10:05.927 Don't say such things that people respond, don't prophesy like that. 00:10:06.497 --> 00:10:09.017 Such disasters will never come our way. 00:10:10.217 --> 00:10:11.357 Should you talk that way? 00:10:11.447 --> 00:10:12.977 Oh, family of Israel. 00:10:13.727 --> 00:10:16.547 Will the Lord's spirit have patience with such behavior? 00:10:17.477 --> 00:10:21.167 If you would do what is right, you would find my words comforting. 00:10:22.592 --> 00:10:27.212 To this very hour, my people rise against me like an enemy. 00:10:28.202 --> 00:10:32.642 You steal the shirts right off the backs of those who trusted you, making them 00:10:32.642 --> 00:10:35.192 as ragged as men returning from battle. 00:10:36.242 --> 00:10:41.132 You have evicted women from their pleasant homes and forever stripped their children. 00:10:41.132 --> 00:10:45.122 Of all that God would give them up, be gone. 00:10:45.722 --> 00:10:47.762 This is no longer your land and home. 00:10:48.197 --> 00:10:52.007 For you have filled it with sin and ruined it completely. 00:10:53.117 --> 00:10:56.567 Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you, I'll preach to 00:10:56.567 --> 00:10:58.937 you the joys of wine and alcohol. 00:10:59.597 --> 00:11:04.457 That's just the kind of prophet you would like someday. 00:11:04.462 --> 00:11:06.587 Oh, Israel, I will gather you. 00:11:07.097 --> 00:11:09.317 I will gather the remnant to our left. 00:11:09.947 --> 00:11:15.587 I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture. 00:11:16.397 --> 00:11:19.997 Yes, your land will again be filled with noisy crowds. 00:11:20.627 --> 00:11:25.367 Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile, out through the gates of 00:11:25.367 --> 00:11:28.457 the enemy cities back to your own land. 00:11:29.267 --> 00:11:30.647 Your king will lead you. 00:11:31.277 --> 00:11:33.048 The Lord himself will guide you. 00:11:35.897 --> 00:11:41.387 I said, listen you leaders of Israel, you are supposed to know right from wrong. 00:11:42.377 --> 00:11:46.007 You are the very ones who hate good and love evil. 00:11:47.117 --> 00:11:50.687 You skin my people alive and tear the flesh from their bones. 00:11:51.317 --> 00:11:56.567 Yes, you eat my people's flesh, strip off their skin and break their bones. 00:11:57.197 --> 00:11:59.987 You chop them up like meat for the cooking pot. 00:12:00.297 --> 00:12:03.617 Then you beg the Lord for help in times of trouble. 00:12:04.277 --> 00:12:06.137 Do you really expect him to answer? 00:12:06.797 --> 00:12:10.097 After all the evil you have done, he won't even look at you. 00:12:11.492 --> 00:12:16.622 This is what the Lord says, you false prophets are leading my people astray. 00:12:17.372 --> 00:12:21.332 You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war 00:12:21.332 --> 00:12:23.192 on those who refuse to feed you. 00:12:24.272 --> 00:12:28.922 Now the night will close around you, cutting off all your visions. 00:12:29.582 --> 00:12:33.452 Darkness will cover you putting an end to your predictions. 00:12:34.202 --> 00:12:38.192 The sun will set for you prophets, and your day will come to an end. 00:12:39.047 --> 00:12:42.917 Then you, Sears will be put to shame and you fortune tellers will be 00:12:42.917 --> 00:12:48.107 disgraced and you will cover your faces because there is no answer from God. 00:12:49.067 --> 00:12:54.287 But as for me, I am filled with power with the spirit of the Lord. 00:12:55.007 --> 00:13:01.037 I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel sin and rebellion. 00:13:02.207 --> 00:13:07.787 Listen to me, you leaders of Israel, you hate justice and twist all that is right. 00:13:08.567 --> 00:13:12.467 You are building Jerusalem on a foundation of murder and corruption. 00:13:13.487 --> 00:13:16.217 You rulers make decisions based on bribes. 00:13:16.847 --> 00:13:20.207 You priests teach God's laws only for a price. 00:13:20.837 --> 00:13:23.657 You prophets won't prophesy unless you are paid. 00:13:24.677 --> 00:13:27.167 Yet all of you claim to depend on the Lord. 00:13:28.187 --> 00:13:29.657 No harm can come to us. 00:13:29.657 --> 00:13:32.417 You say, for the Lord is here among us. 00:13:33.182 --> 00:13:37.232 Because of you, Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field. 00:13:37.562 --> 00:13:40.142 Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins. 00:13:40.832 --> 00:13:45.092 A thicket will grow on the heights where the temple now stands. 00:13:46.562 --> 00:13:50.612 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house will be the highest of 00:13:50.612 --> 00:13:53.372 all, the most important place on earth. 00:13:54.392 --> 00:13:58.232 It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the 00:13:58.232 --> 00:14:00.512 world will stream there to worship. 00:14:01.547 --> 00:14:06.587 People from many nations will come and say, come let us go up to the mountain 00:14:06.587 --> 00:14:09.557 of the Lord, to the House of Jacob's God. 00:14:10.277 --> 00:14:15.347 There he will teach us his ways and we will walk in His paths for the 00:14:15.347 --> 00:14:17.417 Lord's teaching will go out from Zion. 00:14:18.017 --> 00:14:19.907 His word will go out from Jerusalem. 00:14:20.837 --> 00:14:24.947 The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes 00:14:24.947 --> 00:14:27.347 between strong nations far away. 00:14:27.917 --> 00:14:31.037 They will hammer their swords into plow shares and their 00:14:31.037 --> 00:14:32.807 spears into pruning hooks. 00:14:33.647 --> 00:14:38.177 Nation will no longer fight against nation nor train for war anymore. 00:14:38.987 --> 00:14:43.037 Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their 00:14:43.037 --> 00:14:45.107 own grapevines and fig trees. 00:14:45.497 --> 00:14:47.057 For there will be nothing to fear. 00:14:48.107 --> 00:14:50.957 The Lord of heaven's armies has made this promise. 00:14:52.082 --> 00:14:57.002 Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the Lord our God 00:14:57.002 --> 00:15:03.452 forever and ever in that coming day says the Lord, I will gather together those who 00:15:03.452 --> 00:15:08.492 are lame, those who have been exiles, and those who might have filled with grief. 00:15:08.662 --> 00:15:11.942 Those who are weak will survive as a remnant. 00:15:12.842 --> 00:15:15.632 Those who are exiles will become a strong nation. 00:15:16.367 --> 00:15:21.527 Then I, the Lord will rule from Jerusalem as their king forever. 00:15:22.877 --> 00:15:28.337 As for you, Jerusalem, the citadel of God's people, your royal might and 00:15:28.337 --> 00:15:30.377 power will come back to you again. 00:15:31.577 --> 00:15:34.277 The kingship will be restored to my precious Jerusalem. 00:15:35.137 --> 00:15:38.087 But why are you now screaming in terror? 00:15:38.717 --> 00:15:39.887 Have you no king to lead? 00:15:39.887 --> 00:15:42.827 You have your wise people all died. 00:15:44.177 --> 00:15:49.097 Pain has gripped you like a woman in childbirth, writhe, and groan like a 00:15:49.097 --> 00:15:52.007 woman in labor, you people of Jerusalem. 00:15:52.697 --> 00:15:56.057 For now, you must leave this city to live in the open country. 00:15:56.777 --> 00:16:01.007 You will soon be sent in exile to distant Babylon, but the 00:16:01.007 --> 00:16:02.867 Lord will rescue you there. 00:16:03.497 --> 00:16:06.137 He will redeem you from the grip of your enemies. 00:16:07.247 --> 00:16:09.677 Now, many nations have gathered against you. 00:16:10.502 --> 00:16:11.882 Let her be derated. 00:16:12.122 --> 00:16:15.602 They say, let us see the destruction of Jerusalem. 00:16:16.742 --> 00:16:20.192 But they do not know the Lord's thoughts or understand his plan. 00:16:21.122 --> 00:16:24.932 These nations don't know that he is gathering them together to be 00:16:24.937 --> 00:16:28.682 beaten and trampled like sheaves of grain on a threshing floor. 00:16:29.762 --> 00:16:34.112 Rise up and crush the nation's O Jerusalem, says the Lord. 00:16:34.817 --> 00:16:38.777 For I will give you iron horns and bronze hooves so you can 00:16:38.777 --> 00:16:40.757 trample many nations to pieces. 00:16:41.657 --> 00:16:45.437 You will present their stolen riches to the Lord, their wealth 00:16:45.677 --> 00:16:47.297 to the Lord of all the earth. 00:16:48.287 --> 00:16:50.957 Mobilize marshal your troops. 00:16:51.857 --> 00:16:54.077 The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem. 00:16:54.317 --> 00:16:57.497 They will strike Israel's leader in the face with a rod. 00:16:58.577 --> 00:17:01.517 But you o Bethlehem Riha. 00:17:02.252 --> 00:17:05.342 Are only a small village among all the people of Judah. 00:17:06.242 --> 00:17:10.292 Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past 00:17:10.682 --> 00:17:13.052 will come from you on my behalf. 00:17:14.402 --> 00:17:17.972 The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until 00:17:17.977 --> 00:17:19.832 the woman in labor gives birth. 00:17:20.942 --> 00:17:24.392 Then at last, his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their 00:17:24.392 --> 00:17:29.492 own land and he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength. 00:17:30.167 --> 00:17:33.047 The majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 00:17:34.187 --> 00:17:37.997 Then his people will live there undisturbed for He will be highly 00:17:37.997 --> 00:17:42.347 honored around the world and he will be the source of peace. 00:17:43.637 --> 00:17:48.917 When the Assyrians invade our land and break through our defenses, we will 00:17:48.917 --> 00:17:51.407 appoint seven rulers to watch over us. 00:17:52.007 --> 00:17:53.747 Eight princes to lead us. 00:17:54.587 --> 00:17:57.467 They will rule Assyria withdrawn, swords. 00:17:58.142 --> 00:18:03.392 And enter the gates of the land of Nimrod, he will rescue us from the Assyrians. 00:18:03.662 --> 00:18:09.482 When they pour over the borders to invade our land, then the remnant left in Israel 00:18:09.752 --> 00:18:11.672 will take their place among the nations. 00:18:12.422 --> 00:18:17.102 They will be like dew, sent by the Lord, or like rain falling on 00:18:17.102 --> 00:18:22.172 the grass, which no one can hold back and no one can restrain. 00:18:23.222 --> 00:18:26.882 The remnant left in Israel will take their place among the nations. 00:18:27.662 --> 00:18:31.772 They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a strong 00:18:31.772 --> 00:18:37.442 young lion among flocks of sheep and goats, pouncing and tearing as they go 00:18:37.442 --> 00:18:43.172 with no rescuer in sight, the people of Israel will stand up to their foes and 00:18:43.172 --> 00:18:50.072 all their enemies will be wiped out in that day, says the Lord, I will slaughter 00:18:50.072 --> 00:18:52.892 your horses and destroy your chariots. 00:18:53.687 --> 00:18:57.347 I will tear down your walls and demolish your defenses. 00:18:58.187 --> 00:19:03.107 I will put an end to all witchcraft and there will be no more fortune tellers. 00:19:03.917 --> 00:19:09.917 I will destroy all your idols and sacred pillars so you will never again 00:19:09.922 --> 00:19:12.107 worship the work of your own hands. 00:19:12.497 --> 00:19:17.027 I will abolish your idol shrines with their asherah poles and 00:19:17.027 --> 00:19:18.827 destroy your pagan cities. 00:19:19.742 --> 00:19:24.902 I will pour out my vengeance on all the nations that refuse to obey me. 00:19:27.362 --> 00:19:29.432 Listen to what the Lord is saying. 00:19:30.572 --> 00:19:33.032 Stand up and state your case against me. 00:19:33.692 --> 00:19:37.172 Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. 00:19:38.012 --> 00:19:39.602 And now, oh mountains. 00:19:39.932 --> 00:19:41.612 Listen to the Lord's complaint. 00:19:42.602 --> 00:19:44.282 He has a case against his people. 00:19:44.522 --> 00:19:46.622 He will bring charges against Israel. 00:19:47.642 --> 00:19:48.632 Oh my people. 00:19:49.352 --> 00:19:50.522 What have I done to you? 00:19:51.422 --> 00:19:53.522 What have I done to make you tired of me? 00:19:53.882 --> 00:19:59.072 Answer me for I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. 00:19:59.822 --> 00:20:02.852 I sent Moses errand and Miriam to help you. 00:20:03.422 --> 00:20:09.932 Don't you remember my people, how King beak of Moab tried to have you cursed, and 00:20:09.932 --> 00:20:12.842 how Baum son of bor blessed you instead? 00:20:13.847 --> 00:20:18.407 And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal when I, 00:20:18.437 --> 00:20:22.547 the Lord did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness. 00:20:23.687 --> 00:20:25.217 What can we bring to the Lord? 00:20:26.297 --> 00:20:28.067 Should we bring him burnt offerings? 00:20:28.877 --> 00:20:33.767 Should we bow before God most high with offerings of yearling calves? 00:20:34.637 --> 00:20:39.557 Should we offer him thousands of rams and 10,000 rivers of olive oil? 00:20:40.577 --> 00:20:44.537 Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? 00:20:45.767 --> 00:20:46.307 No. 00:20:46.457 --> 00:20:47.237 Oh people. 00:20:47.837 --> 00:20:52.397 The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you 00:20:53.627 --> 00:20:59.777 to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. 00:21:00.587 --> 00:21:00.877 Fear. 00:21:01.157 --> 00:21:02.897 The Lord if you are wise. 00:21:03.317 --> 00:21:05.777 His voice calls to everyone in Jerusalem. 00:21:06.377 --> 00:21:08.747 The armies of destruction are coming. 00:21:09.632 --> 00:21:14.552 The Lord is sending them, what shall I say about the homes of the wicked filled 00:21:14.552 --> 00:21:16.442 with treasures gained by cheating? 00:21:17.522 --> 00:21:20.012 What about the disgusting practice of measuring out 00:21:20.012 --> 00:21:21.752 grain with dishonest measures? 00:21:22.802 --> 00:21:27.212 How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights? 00:21:28.172 --> 00:21:32.402 The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. 00:21:33.212 --> 00:21:36.212 Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can 00:21:36.217 --> 00:21:37.682 no longer tell the truth. 00:21:38.657 --> 00:21:40.577 Therefore, I will wound you. 00:21:41.447 --> 00:21:44.027 I will bring you to ruin for all your sins. 00:21:44.627 --> 00:21:46.907 You will eat but never have enough. 00:21:47.687 --> 00:21:52.487 Your hunger, pings and emptiness will remain and though you try to save 00:21:52.487 --> 00:21:54.107 your money, it will come to nothing. 00:21:54.107 --> 00:21:59.567 In the end, you will save a little, but I will give it to those who conquer you. 00:22:00.437 --> 00:22:03.107 You will plant crops but not harvest them. 00:22:03.917 --> 00:22:08.087 You will press your olives but not get enough oil to anoint yourselves. 00:22:08.837 --> 00:22:13.337 You will trample the grapes but get no juice to make your wine. 00:22:14.387 --> 00:22:17.477 You keep only the laws of evil King Omri. 00:22:18.197 --> 00:22:21.407 You follow only the example of Wicked King Ahab. 00:22:22.427 --> 00:22:27.797 Therefore, I will make an example of you bringing you to complete ruin. 00:22:28.667 --> 00:22:32.357 You will be treated with contempt, mocked by all who see you. 00:22:34.172 --> 00:22:35.672 How miserable I am. 00:22:36.752 --> 00:22:40.262 I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest, who can find nothing to eat, 00:22:41.072 --> 00:22:46.592 not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig can be found to satisfy my hunger. 00:22:47.582 --> 00:22:49.592 The godly people have all disappeared. 00:22:50.252 --> 00:22:53.222 Not one honest person is left on the earth. 00:22:53.732 --> 00:22:58.682 They are all murderers, setting traps, even for their own brothers. 00:22:59.912 --> 00:23:04.472 Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil officials 00:23:04.472 --> 00:23:06.842 and judges alike demand bribes. 00:23:07.472 --> 00:23:10.742 The people with influence get what they want, and together 00:23:10.742 --> 00:23:12.932 they scheme to twist justice. 00:23:13.862 --> 00:23:16.142 Even the best of them is like a briar. 00:23:16.832 --> 00:23:21.362 The most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns, but your 00:23:21.362 --> 00:23:23.222 judgment day is coming swiftly. 00:23:23.222 --> 00:23:26.222 Now, your time of punishment is here. 00:23:26.582 --> 00:23:27.782 A time of confusion. 00:23:28.637 --> 00:23:29.807 Don't trust anyone. 00:23:30.107 --> 00:23:32.447 Not your best friend or even your wife. 00:23:33.497 --> 00:23:35.567 For the son despises his father. 00:23:36.227 --> 00:23:37.967 The daughter defies her mother. 00:23:38.687 --> 00:23:41.057 The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law. 00:23:41.327 --> 00:23:43.817 Your enemies are right in your own household. 00:23:45.407 --> 00:23:48.527 As for me, I look to the Lord for help. 00:23:49.397 --> 00:23:54.797 I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. 00:23:55.637 --> 00:23:57.557 Do not gloat over me my enemies. 00:23:58.487 --> 00:24:01.367 For though I fall, I will rise again. 00:24:02.237 --> 00:24:05.477 Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. 00:24:06.137 --> 00:24:11.207 I will be patient as the Lord punishes me for I have sinned against him. 00:24:12.437 --> 00:24:17.177 But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all 00:24:17.177 --> 00:24:18.767 I have suffered from my enemies. 00:24:19.487 --> 00:24:24.197 The Lord will bring me into the light and I will see his righteousness. 00:24:25.487 --> 00:24:28.547 Then my enemies will see that the Lord is on my side. 00:24:29.297 --> 00:24:33.647 They will be ashamed that they taunted me saying, so where is the Lord? 00:24:33.857 --> 00:24:35.237 That God of yours? 00:24:36.557 --> 00:24:39.347 With my own eyes, I will see their downfall. 00:24:40.007 --> 00:24:44.957 They will be trampled like mud in the streets In that day is real. 00:24:45.347 --> 00:24:49.967 Your cities will be rebuilt and your borders will be extended. 00:24:50.807 --> 00:24:53.687 People from many lands will come and honor you. 00:24:54.182 --> 00:24:57.062 From Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt. 00:24:57.752 --> 00:25:01.772 From Egypt all the way to the Euphrates River, and from 00:25:01.772 --> 00:25:03.692 distance, seas, and mountains. 00:25:04.562 --> 00:25:08.222 But the land will become empty and desolate because of the 00:25:08.227 --> 00:25:10.082 wickedness of those who live there. 00:25:11.192 --> 00:25:11.972 Oh Lord. 00:25:12.812 --> 00:25:15.212 Protect your people with your shepherd staff. 00:25:15.842 --> 00:25:20.792 Lead your flock, your special possession, though they live alone in a thicket 00:25:21.152 --> 00:25:22.532 and the heights of Mount Carmel. 00:25:23.422 --> 00:25:28.877 Let them graze in the fertile pastures of and Gilead as they did long ago. 00:25:30.377 --> 00:25:32.117 Yes, says the Lord. 00:25:33.107 --> 00:25:37.127 I will do mighty miracles for you like those I did when I 00:25:37.127 --> 00:25:39.107 rescued you from slavery in Egypt. 00:25:39.977 --> 00:25:44.417 All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. 00:25:45.497 --> 00:25:48.167 They will be embarrassed at their feeble power. 00:25:48.797 --> 00:25:51.527 They will cover their mouths in silent awe. 00:25:52.307 --> 00:25:53.957 Deaf to everything around them. 00:25:54.947 --> 00:25:58.157 Like snakes crawling from their holes, they will come 00:25:58.157 --> 00:26:00.077 out to meet the Lord our God. 00:26:01.037 --> 00:26:05.177 They will fear him greatly trembling in terror at his presence. 00:26:06.317 --> 00:26:12.377 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant overlooking 00:26:12.377 --> 00:26:14.267 the sins of his special people? 00:26:15.557 --> 00:26:18.617 You will not stay angry with your people forever because you 00:26:18.617 --> 00:26:20.987 delight in showing unfailing love. 00:26:22.037 --> 00:26:24.467 Once again, you will have compassion on us. 00:26:25.187 --> 00:26:28.967 You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them 00:26:28.967 --> 00:26:30.527 into the depths of the ocean. 00:26:31.517 --> 00:26:36.917 You'll show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our 00:26:36.917 --> 00:26:41.057 ancestors, Abraham and Jacob Long ago. 00:26:45.557 --> 00:26:48.407 This concludes today's immerse reading experience. 00:26:48.467 --> 00:26:49.607 Thank you for joining us.