In January, we began a journey through the Minor Writing Prophets. Why? Well, it was for a number of reasons, really. First, I believe that all of scripture is useful for study and nurture. This includes these prophets that we so often overlook. Second, Jesus refers back to the prophets; and if Jesus found value in them, shouldn’t we spend time with them as well? Third, the prophets were faithful people living in very difficult times that were called to deliver unpopular messages. Perhaps they have something to teach us in our own day about living faithfully in difficult times with a sometimes unpopular message.
As we come to Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22nd and the beginning of Lent, we will put our study of these prophets on hold until after Easter. By that time, we will have considered 6 of the 12. Perhaps this halfway point in the series is an appropriate time to consider what some of the lessons may be that we are learning from this study so far?
First, I believe that we see clearly and repeatedly that the people of God fall short of and often completely miss what God desires for them. With that comes difficult times, but also tremendous grace and forgiveness. When we are honest with ourselves, we also often fall short if not completely miss what God intends for us. While we should keep striving to do as God wishes, we should also find comfort in God’s grace and mercy in the midst of those failings.
Second, the prophets served as tangible signposts to God. In the midst of turmoil and destruction, of cultural and religious distractions, and of economic and social injustice, the prophets continued to direct the people’s attention toward God. We too live in difficult times and we too should be signposts to God. In loving and authentic ways, we should direct people’s attention to God in the midst of their everyday lives. God is there all around us and yet how often do we miss what God is doing?
Third, it is tempting to believe that following God is about effectiveness when in reality it is about faithfulness. The prophets were given a message to share with the people, warnings about impending destruction and at times encouragements for the people to change course before it was too late. But it didn’t work. The people of God continued to disobey God and ultimately received the punishment that the prophets warned was coming. The prophet’s role was to be faithful to God, to deliver the message. It was up to God to worry about the effectiveness of the message. We too in our opportunities to share our faith with others may rarely be effective in bringing someone to Christ, but ultimately that is God’s concern. Our concern is to be faithful to the call to share of our testimony or our faith in God.
It is probably fair to say that many of us struggle to read through the Minor Prophets and that often times we tend to dismiss them as less important books of the Bible for us today. Yet we read in II Peter 3:2 “I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior.” As such, it seems to me that in our study of these words of scripture, we are both fulfilling a call upon us and finding connections to our modern circumstances, perhaps even discovering lessons for how we can more fully live out our faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment