Understanding God – Be Still…

Ezra 5:6-17 – A Spy’s Report

Read Ezra 5:6-17

The saga of the temple’s construction continues. We met Tattenai, the provincial governor, in our last reading. Apparently, he is so troubled by seeing this temple rebuilt that he started interrogating the workers to find out who was in charge. After all, this is a building project he believes is under his jurisdiction, shouldn’t he be able to question it?

This governor seems to be more like an undercover spy looking for a scoop. He took the intel he received from the construction leaders and sent a letter to King Darius. I wonder what Tattenai is afraid of. Perhaps he’ll lose the favor of King Darius should there be a rebellion. Of course, it will take a while for Jerusalem to be rebuilt to its glory and power of the past.

Habakkuk 1:12-17 – When Your World is Rocked

Read Habakkuk 1:12-17

Habakkuk is processing God’s message to him in this second complaint. Have you ever said to God, “You’re going to do what?” You can imagine how unbelievable it would be to know that God was going to use an enemy nation to destroy the same misbehaving children who were appalling Habakkuk.

Habakkuk’s observations are valid, don’t you agree? Babylonian forces would be given victory and yet they weren’t believers in the one true God. How could that be? He calls out to God again saying, “Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?” This is a good example to show us how God can and will use any means possible to bring about his purposes in this world. We don’t always have to understand or agree.

Micah 4:6-13 – God’s in Charge

Read Micah 4:6-13

a pocket watch with the word FOREVER written on it

The generous and universal hope given in our last reading is again focused on the people of Judah, particularly in Jerusalem. There is hope for a return from the exile that hasn’t happened yet. This text seems to flip back and forth between judgment and rescue; however, it is regarded as an oracle of salvation.

The people must have thought Micah was crazy when he mentioned Babylon. While we know the Babylonians were the empire to take down Judah, at the time Micah said these words Babylon was not a power to be feared. This promised exile would have sounded a bit foolish to Micah’s audience. What effect do you think that had on Micah’s credibility?