The Prophecy of Salvation

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:41 pm Post subject: The Prophecy of Salvation

The Prophecy of Salvation

Scripture:

Now shall you be laid waste, O daughter of the robber: they have laid siege against us, with a rod shall they strike the cheek of the judge of Israel. AND YOU, BETHLEHEM Ephrata, are a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of you shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel: and his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity. Therefore will he give them up even till the time wherein she that travails shall bring forth: and the remnant of his brethren shall be converted to the children of Israel. And he shall stand, and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the height of the name of the Lord his God: and they shall be converted, for now shall he be magnified even to the ends of the earth. (Micah 5:1-4)

Wherefore when he come into the world, he said: Sacrifice and oblation you would not: but a body you have fitted to me: Holocausts for sin did not please you. Then said I: Behold I come: in the head of the book it is written of me: that I should do your will, O God. In saying before, Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin you would not, neither are they pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law. Then said I: Behold, I come to do your will, O God: he takes away the first, that he may establish that which follows. In this will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once. (Hebrews 10:5-10)

And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed are you that have believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to you by the Lord. (Luke 1:39-45)

Reflection:

The prophet Micah spoke at a time when the kingdoms of Israel failed to deliver goodness and justice. The prophet warned all who would listen that as a consequence of their sin and the corrupt behavior of their leaders, God would allow the kingdoms of Israel to face defeat at the hands of their enemies. As punishment for their idolatry and injustice to one another, God would allow the people to suffer in captivity and exile.

The prophet warned the corrupt leaders and those who prophesied in the name of God, but instead led the people astray, that God would leave them to a time of tribulation and their cities to a fate of destruction. Though the prophet warned of judgment and doom for the wicked, he also spoke of a remnant few who would be gathered to restore Israel to the graces of God. Those who would heed and repent would be gathered to serve the plan of the Lord. The faithful remnant would be given strength through which to vanquish the enemies which sought to besiege them.

The prophet also spoke of the One who would come from the city of Bethlehem; the One who would stand with the strength of the Lord. Through the blessing of God, the faithful would receive His salvation.

We might wonder, in regards to the relationship between God and the peoples of the nations, what difference do we see between our time and the days of Micah? Where in the cycle of sin and judgment do we as a people, and we as individuals, fall? What will we learn from the decisions of generations past and their response to God? What will we do for ourselves? What will we do for our families? What will we do for our communities? What will we do for our nation? What will we do for the world? What will we do for all who cross our path?

The early generations offered sacrifices in worship and so that they might receive absolution for their sins, but the Lord preferred knowledge of Him and loyalty to His Word over sacrifices. (Hosea 6:6) Just as He had provided the sacrificial lamb for Abraham (Genesis 22:8-13), God provided the sacrificial Lamb for the world, in atonement of their sins, so that He might begin a new covenant where He would write His law upon their hearts and forgive the iniquities of the children of His creation. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) Through His only begotten Son, the Lord would offer salvation for all who believed in Him and live His Word through their belief. Through His Son, God revealed all of His Word to the world so that they might know Him and the blessings of His love. (John 1:1-17)

Some would see the prophesies begin to unfold, but few would comprehend. And so it began, as God called upon Mary, a young virgin. Through her, the Son would enter the world. (Isaiah 7:14) Through Him, beginning in the town of Bethlehem, a city of David, light was brought to the world. (Micah 5:1) Unfortunately, many choose to remain blind to the light for their hearts are corrupted by evil. (John 3:19)

We might wonder what Mary thought of the responsibility given to her by God to not only bear, but care for and be the mother of the One to bring salvation to the world. Elizabeth professed that Mary was blessed among women for Elizabeth understood that great things would be brought forth by the blessings within the womb of Mary. Through Him, the prophesy would be fulfilled, not just the sign to be given, but the forgiveness offered to all the generations.

To those who read these words, as well as the generations which shall follow, the prophesies and events are viewed as something of days of old. Still, to this day, they touch every soul and shall for all the days to come. The question which arose from that time and which remain for every subsequent generation is whether we believe the promises prophesied and the meaning to our soul? Our answer will reveal our desire to see and receive the blessings of light brought to the world.

Blessed are we for those who saw, witnessed and understood, for through them, the generations to whom their testimony is shared are given the opportunity to see, hear and heed. Blessed are the parents who teach their children, for as they know God, they shall receive all the blessings He offers. (Deuteronomy 11:18-25) Blessed are those who help the children understand, for what they receive within their hearts, they shall pass to the generations to come. Blessed are the children who love the Lord, for through them, many souls shall learn of the Son and shall receive the blessings of His love.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier