What is the unifying theme of all Scripture? Surely it is the One who comes from Bethlehem Ephrathah, ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Surely it is the One who shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord. Surely it is the One who is his people’s peace (5:2-5).
Though “the Lord has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel” (6:2), for them, and for us, always, there is the hope found in Messiah. Though Israel’s sins, and ours, are great our Shepherd is greater still and his grace overwhelms us. Who among us will not weep with tears of joy when we read Micah’s conclusion to the matter: “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old” (7:18-20).
O the deep, deep love of Jesus! Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free, rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me. Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love; leading onward, leading homeward, to thy glorious rest above. --S. Trevor Francis (19th century)
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