Week of July 16

Human deliverance in my mind most often causes me to think of events surrounding some catastrophe. For example, it is not at all uncommon in the age of social media to view daring rescues of people from catastrophic accidents or fiery buildings. My son-in-law occasionally does this very thing as a firefighter. Eventually the cameras are turned off and the “deliverer” returns to their daily business and life goes on. This reality holds true because I am more apt to see my relative cooking burgers on the grill rather than rescuing folks from a burning building.
 
The prophet Micah writes of a terrible coming day where the river, so to speak, would overflow its banks and consume Israel and that the flood waters would not subside. The results would be devastating and the people would experience total loss as a result. And yet, he writes that God would do what no human can do. He would plunge into the swollen floodwaters in the person of the Messiah, pull His people from danger, and forever change their fortunes. Now, that is one significant rescue! Let’s carefully examine this theme of deliverer then apply it to our lives today.

Unlike natural calamity, where people suffer through no fault of their own, Israel was about to face a national disaster of its own making. The prophet has written that their crimes against humanity had become a stench in God’s nostrils, and He was about to punish His people for their total disregard for human life (2:8-9; 3:2-3, 9-10; 7:2-6).
 
The king, as God’s ultimate representative, would suffer utter humiliation (cf. 5:1) and would be subjected to the overthrow by Israel’s enemies. We typically overlook moral decay associated with disregard for the helpless when we are reflecting upon our standing with God. However, we read here that God sees the needs and hears the cries of the oppressed and will not permit such evil to last. Human life represents what is termed a “core good,” meaning without life we are not able to enjoy any of the other benefits that come with living on the earth. God takes life seriously and so should we.

Despite the unworthiness of Israel to receive God’s deliverance, He does the unimaginable. He promises that His Deliverer would rescue His people from their coming oppressor and would eliminate forever further disaster. Note the irony. The oppressors would become oppressed themselves and, when they cried out in their need like those they were oppressing, God would send His Messiah to rescue them. That is undeserved love! As we say, “Who in heaven would do such a thing?” The answer is plain: Jesus, God’s Son, the Savior. He is our peace (Micah 5:5).

No human deliverer will do! We all know that the Messiah was thought to come from the priestly tribe of Levi, but the author of Hebrews looks beyond this and links the Savior to the Davidic kingly line and attaches His priestly role to Melchizedek (cf. Genesis 14:18-20; cf. Psalm 110:4). He wants the reader to know that Messiah Jesus possessed a power that went well beyond anything human in origin and that His was and remains an “indestructible life” (7:16).
 
The Aaronic priesthood is set aside at Christ’s coming and the Levitical law was also set aside because it could not complete what was required—the total deliverance of people from sin and death. Only the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, does this (Hebrews 7:18-19). He made a once-for-all offering of Himself for the sins of His people, and this would never have to be repeated (7:27). In other words, our deliverance is forever complete in Christ.

I have always been uncomfortable with assigning the title “savior” to an athlete, officeholder, or corporate C.E.O. However, it is not at all uncommon for individuals to be referred to as a savior. Professional sports franchises to political offices to corporate board rooms will anoint certain individuals with the title because they sincerely hope for a reversal of bad fortunes. They expect this leader to introduce a new era of success and prosperity. In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary defines a “saviour” (UK spelling) as “a person who saves someone or something from danger or difficulty.”
 
We all know (I hope!) that such deliverers cannot truly provide lasting peace and prosperity from life’s ills. This would require other worldly person because we all know that human saviors come and go as life ebbs and flows.
 
Here is the spiritual point. The good news is that we do have an other-worldly Deliverer whose rescue works for all time. Of course, this begs a question. What ought we to be and do considering such a great deliverance? Part of the answer lies within the context of our reading today. In response, and as a sign of our moral transformation, we are to help those that are oppressed to be released from their bondage (see For Families below). This is Kingdom of God work and is a sign that we are part of God’s people (Luke 4:18-19).

1. Reflect upon the previous week in your spiritual walk. How many times and in what ways have your steps and actions been directed toward easing the burdens of those that are suffering? If those encounters have been few and far between, try re-routing your steps this coming week to include time helping others in their need.
 
2. For Families: Our (Larry) youngest granddaughter enjoys watching the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid. Ariel, the little mermaid, opens the movie with a mermaid-like rescue of who would become her prince charming. Little Lucia, my grandchild, sits enraptured before the TV screen in her little aqua-colored chair! However, all it takes to get her attention and change her countenance is for her momma to sing like Ariel. The song is in that little girl’s heart, is it not? I pray that she grows to sing the song of peace in her life and actions toward the helpless.
 
Here is a family activity to put the Savior’s song in our hearts. Find a contemporary Christian song on serving others from the heart. Memorize it as a family and then hum or sing it while preparing a food donation for the local food bank or while serving at a nearby crisis center. Two of my favorites are “Come to the Table,” by the Sidewalk Prophets, and “If We are the Body,” by Casting Crowns.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock