Here's a good summary about the three voices directed to Judah. To be sure, the traditions of Isaiah (royal), Micah (peasant), and Deuteronomy (Mosaic-covenantal) give differing nuance to the life of Judah. All are agreed, however, that in every sphere of its life, Judah must be a community of intentional resistance, refusing to let dominant, imperial definitions confiscate the life of Judah. The community is enjoined to great vigilance, lest it lose its raison d'etre, which is as a Yahwistic, alternative mode of life in a world of acquisitive, exploitative power (compare Deuteronomy 8:1-20). When we wake in the morning, we wake into a world in which we are - as followers of Jesus - stepping into the realm of resistance. Luther would say that every morning we remember our baptism - same thing. We remember whose we are and the mighty acts of God to hold us and never let us go and then we let that hand lead us and guide us even when the leading takes us in ways that are quite at odds with the world. What is most difficult is to see to what degree we are at odds with the world around us. We have all seen those who seem to take this call into a life of asceticism or one of outright rebellion or one of such counter-cultural moves they are simply written off as complete oddballs. Well...what makes up resistance and how much resistance is enough?! I think we must not look at quantity. We look at the situation at hand and talk within a faithful community about what is needed. Resistance doesn't always mean going directly against the powers of the world. Resistance may also mean the simple movements that make us walk down another path. There are many paths of resistance that can be a part of all of our lives. It is quite important that we all keep talking to one another as we go along the way. Connection: Baptism puts us in the water of resistance and it doesn't matter how deep we are in it - we have already died in this water and come into new life. What part of this new life will now begin to show? That is resistance. Lord of New Life, carry us into the promised land and show us the way to stand on you alone as we journey through this life and share in the abundance of your Reign. Amen. |
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