Summary #26

Weekly Summary
Isaiah 1-12, Amos, Micah, II Chronicles 27

This week we switch from the narrative of the dueling kingdoms (Israel and Judah) to words of God to these people. Neither the northern kingdom nor the southern kingdom are doing what God commanded - the kings have not removed the high places, they have intermarried, and they have walked away from the commands of the Lord.

In this environment, God calls three prophets to speak against the the way his people are pursuing life: Isaiah preaches against the unfaithfulness of Judah, Amos proclaims against the carelessness of Israel, and Micah, a farm boy, is sent to both kingdoms to call the people to justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Mixed in with the indictment of Judah and the promise that God will scatter his people far from their promised land, Isaiah also introduces a beautiful promise: a child will be born, a savior will come to redeem these people. In the prophecy of the destruction that be the result of their unfaithfulness, God's faithfulness is constant, and his promises are lavish.

Entirely because he is gracious, God demands mercy of his people. He lays out the path of righteousness, and the one of destruction, and calls his people to righteousness, as well as promises to rescue them when they make the wrong choice. Look carefully this week for the images of destruction and redemption in the reading.