"Harlotry" sounds like idolatry to me

Well, another day in the world of Davis 301 and the Minor Prophets. Today's topic, Micah! After being pummeled by Hosea and his wife Gomer (i.e., STOP!) and the apparent sexual immorality of the whole book (not!, but significant 13 times with Harlot alone), it was a relief to move to Amos, (only once). But here we are again in Micah and the first thing you know we're talking about harlot wages and idols. WHAT do these guys have against the world's oldest profession?? Then I tried to use a very strange word for my class, misogyny. Are these Minor Prophets really against sex for money?

Well, while that is entirely possible, it probably misses the point entirely! What they are definitely against is idolatry in its various forms. What an amazing business the craftsmen must have had in forging, carving, or sculpting these objects of worship!! And how did they market their wares? Did they advertise? Did they have obnoxious salesmen hawking their products in the marketplace? Was is a black market operation? None of these questions really matter at all. What does matter is that if the LORD was against idolatry in 750 B.C.E., then there is a good chance that opinion hasn't changed!

The question is, what idols are being made from harlot wages today?

Minor Prophets and Life: Do they matter?

I really enjoy teaching the class on the Minor Prophets. I REALLY enjoy teaching the class on the Minor Prophets. Do you get it?? The Minor Prophets, so far Hosea, Amos, and Micah, are extremely relevant to the world we live in. If the Church read them and took their message to heart she would either be a) really ticked off or b) ready to repent and take God seriously. Take Micah for example. in 6.6 the prophet says "With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves?" The prophets continually challenge the ancient Judahites and Israelites who thought that proper religious activity was sufficient to please their God. But God is more concerned with how they are treating others.

What would the world be like if the Church took option b?

Perspective

Well I'll admit, the reason for this post originates in a comment my youngest son made yesterday at the football game. While sitting in the near nose-bleed section he turned to me and asked, "Is it all right that I want to turn around and tell that guy to just shut up?" We were blessed to have a professional football commentator behind us informing those in the area of all the ways that the quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line, defense, etc. were playing. You've been there too. Sitting too close to someone who is much more knowledgeable than the coach whose reputation is flawless and whose record is incredible.

It makes one ponder how necessary perspective is. Perspective is shaped by expectations. At a football game one can bring expectations, of the coach, the players, the final outcome, and for some, the margin of victory. When our expectations are not met, we lose perspective that it is just a game and has no impact on our world today, tomorrow, or next week.

The good thing is that people don't ever lose perspective on the world that we live in!!! We never have expectations on who God is, how God should act, how God's people should act, or how our lives should be blessed!!! (!!! indicates a high level of sarcasm)

Perhaps our perspective could be changed if we refocused our expectations on who God tells us He is, how God has acted in the past, how God's people should act, or how our lives should be blessed. If we were thankful for the opportunity to learn, to live, and to love and be loved, it may change the words that come forth from our mouths and cause others to respond to the pessimism we often time demonstrate.