It's easier to understand the views of the Pharisees and the Sadduccees of the NT when you read these promises of the Messiah in their own context. I've become so used to hearing about the promised Messiah during Advent that I've forgotten that these promises were made in times of real war and real killing and real conquering.
The Messiah of my prayers and worship is real, but so much of what he gives me is intangible - "forgiveness" "mercy" "compassion". All nice and necessary, but not the foundation of Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs. The Messiah that Micah promises will come and fight the slaughtering invaders. This Messiah offers safety and a very concrete peace. This Messiah will help a mother protect her sons from the oncoming chariots.
But even here we begin to see a bit of the wry humor of the Bible. This great protector is a shepherd (v.4). The great and powerful David was a shepherd. But even with that history, it is strange to be promised a shepherd. Can you imagine any nation today facing the oncoming army of the US or China, or the unpredictable NKorea or Iran, and in the face of that invasion reassuring its people that they would be saved by a great "Advertising Executive" or "Computer Programmer"? Either one could be very useful in modern battle, but it's not the image of a protector I want. Same goes for the shepherd. Could be very useful protector in that society - but not who I want coming to my rescue.
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Hey, I'm a Computer Programmer!! We can battle like the best of them. (er, as long as its on a computer screen). I laughed out loud at the great "Advertising Executive." Nice post :)
ReplyDeletesee - and I intentionally avoided talking about "finance executive" to keep from putting you on the spot...guess I failed.
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