Intro for Hosea and Micah: Days 9-14

Hey Everyone,

I hope that last week's reading was a blessing. Rachel and I had some amazing experiences that can only be described as answers to our prayers out of Luke 10:2. It seems that the Lord of the Harvest is, in fact, concerned with harvest. Who knew?

Here is a short bit of information regarding the background of this week's readings. We'll start with Hosea, move to Micah and finish with Mark. Hosea and Micah are interesting in that together they function as a contemporary voice to Isaiah 1-39. Hosea was prophesying during the events which occurred in the first part of last week's reading (as Assyria is preparing to destroy the northern country of Israel) and Micah picks up around the time of that the Assyrian's attempt to take over Judah as well (which they nearly do, taking pretty much everything but Jerusalem.)

We had some great conversation this morning regarding the Isaiah readings and I'm already looking forward to what the community will have to say about this next round. Blessings to you this week!

Grace and Peace,
Bret

Our reading last week concluded with King Hezekiah’s refusal to lose faith in the face of a looming invasion by the powerful Assyrian King Senacherib - some 20 years after the destruction of the northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to in the text by its capitol, Samaria) by the Assryians. This period of faithfulness in Judah came on the heels of King Ahaz’s failure to trust God and would be followed by even greater sin and faithlessness by Hezekiah’s son, Mannaseh. Isaiah seems to hold out hope that Judah will escape destruction and exile(which they will...for now).

This week we will read from the prophets Hosea, who was a contemporary of Isaiah during the early part of his career and Micah, who prophesied during Sennacherib’s invasion around 701.

We know that Hosea was a North Israelite who prophesied during the uncertain times of the anti-Assyrian coalition we read about last week; during the days of Uzziah, Jotham (and possibly even Ahaz and Hezekiah) of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel. Of course we also know that he had an unfortunate marriage which God commanded him to enter as a metaphor for the relationship between the Lord and his chosen people.

The historical background for Micah’s prophecy is set around 701 and Sennacherib’s invasion.

Micah is far less optimistic about Judah’s survival than Isaiah. They do survive this invasion, but will eventually be destroyed by the Babylonians and be carried into exile as he predicts. Micah is also much more scathing about Judah’s oppression of the poor, in language reminiscent of Amos. Judah would be punished for breaking the covenant. Judah must go into exile, unlike Isaiah’s message, and there seems to be no way out. Chapters 3–4 suggest that Micah believed that Judah would someday be restored, but only after punishment and exile.

As we think about the setting in Israel and Judah in the 8th century BCE, the struggle to find faith often seems insurmountable. The prophets had their work cut out for them. Their messages,which sought to stoke the imagination of the people, called for repentance and were seldom well received. Keep this in mind as you then read the gospel according to Mark. You will likely notice how Mark seems to be racing toward the cross - the word “immediately” is often used to describe Jesus’ movements.

Throughout our season of reading we will continue to move back and forth between the prophets and gospels. Hopefully, as we progress we’ll notice that our understanding of one deepens our appreciation of the other.