Could the Prophet Micah
Be a Political Advisor Today?

by Mike Herrnstein

Among other things, the Old Testament prophets were the political commentators of their day. From what we read most of the Jewish leadership failed to heed their advice. However, there were times when it was taken seriously as was the case with Isaiah and Hezekiah. When Jesus came along, He not only spoke to the leadership but to the individual in order for us all as community and as people to find eternal life in the now and in the future.

Most of us are familiar with the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). To paraphrase: When an expert in the law asked Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered with a question, “How do you understand what is written in the law?” Answering from different places in the Torah, the expert said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.” After acknowledging he was correct, Jesus told him to go and do likewise.

The expert then asked what was a very good question:  “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus would answer that with the story of a Samaritan (an enemy to Jews) who cared for a man beaten by robbers after being passed by two religious leaders, who were likely choosing to maintain ritual holiness by remaining clean over showing mercy. Jesus then asked another question:  “Who was the good neighbor?” The expert answered, “The one who showed mercy.” Jesus acknowledged that and told him to do likewise.

And so for the sake of our neighbors and ourselves, let us come together on Election Day to pray as a church that the experts in the law we choose will follow God’s message to the prophet Micah: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). Amen.