Introduction (Week 1, Post 1)

The summer has been long ... and unbelievably hot for those of us who live in South Texas.  We pray for rain ... for a break in the heat ... for refreshment.  And it is with those thoughts in my mind that I begin a new Bible study with you.  Because that is what Bible study is ... refreshment.  When we pause in our busy-ness to be still and quiet ... to listen for a word from God ... to glean wisdom for the lives we live, the decisions we must make, the circumstances we must navigate ... it is in that quietness that our study does its finest work.  It allows us to hear from God. 

I am calling our Fall study, "Ancient Messages for the 21st Century."  We will work together for 10 weeks.  There will be 3 posts each week, Lord willing.  We will cover four of the twelve Minor Prophets.  We will explore Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Hosea.  Don't worry if you have to search to find them!  They each contain only a few chapters.  However, remember that they are called "minor" because of length - not because of importance.  In fact, in the Hebrew canon of scripture, the books are put together and are called "The Twelve".  In that canon, they are part of the books called the "Latter Prophets".   We will begin with Micah.

As we begin ... some reminders. 

First, we have a 'mantra' in the Bible classes at my church that we often have to remind each other of.  It is ... "anything I do is better than doing nothing at all."  Our natural tendency is to quit when things get hard ... or when we get behind ... or when we get tired.  I want you to keep the "anything" idea in your head for this study.  Just keep going.  Begin again. 

Second,  if you read the current popular fiction book, "The Help", or saw the movie that is out right now, you know of Aibelene's words to the precious little girl she cared for.  This little girl was neglected by her own mother - pushed aside and ignored.  So Aibelene would take her little face into her hands, look deeply into her eyes and say, "You is smart.  You is kind.  You is important."  The books we are studying this session are hard.  And you may need to get in front of your mirror, look yourself deeply in the eyes and say to yourself, "I is smart.  I is kind.  I is important." 

Third, remember the words from 2 Timothy 3:16:

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Instead of "all scripture", insert the word, "Micah".  Micah is God-breathed.  Micah is useful to us.  Micah can teach us critically important lessons about life and about God.  Will we listen? 

The name, Micah, means "who is like Jehovah".  The book is written as poetry.  It may be helpful to read it out loud.  One of my friends who is a retired English teacher gave us this advice:  "Read it a sentence at a time.  What does the sentence say?"  Watch for rhythms.  What for metaphors and similes.  Other poetic devices, such as rhyme, alliteration, consonance, assonance, will not be readily observable.  But remember, this was not written in English - it was written in Hebrew. 

Our focus will not be on style or analysis.  There are many commentaries that can take you on that road if your interest is there.  Our focus will be on hearing from God about OUR times, OUR culture, OUR blind spots.  Our focus will be on content and application for our own lives. 


So ... let's begin.  The first assignment is to read the book of Micah.  Read it straight through - perhaps out loud - for overview purposes.  Don't analyze right now ... just read ... and listen.  What do you hear? 

Lord, we pray for wisdom from Your Spirit as we begin this study.  Give each of us ears to hear what You would say to us individually.  We want to hear.  And we want to respond.  So flood our spirits with courage and determination.