Mountains In Our Lives; Sermon on Micah 6:1-5

Rev. George Miller July 28, 2020 Micah 6:1-5 In the beginning when the earth was a dark and formless void, the ruah of God moved across the waters. Yahweh said “Let there be light” and there was light, and goats and sheep, bumblebees and wildflowers, rivers and hills. Throughout Scripture, the mountains have been there to see it all, witnesses to God’s love, grace, and salvation. Today we come to the end of our Micah series, but our walk with the prophet will continue to shape us. We learned the history, addressed the controversy, and heard from the prophet himself. Now we hear from God, the disappointed and the heart broken, who is taking us to court. God has a grievance against the people. God is ready to be the complainant, and to also be the judge. The mountains and hills are called to be the jury. Why the mountains? Why not the angels or ancestors? Because theologically the mountains were there for the most momentous moments. They were there in the beginning of creation. As Psalm 104 states, they are a refuge for animals, gathering rain, shaping rivers. It was upon a mountain that a middle-aged shepherd named Moses was called to liberate God’s people. At Mt. Sinai we were given the commandments. It was upon a high place that Balaam was to sent to curse the people, but instead God used him to bless them. It was atop a mountain that Moses told the people “Choose today; choose life!” It was on mountain that God moved past Elijah in a still speaking sound. Mountains were the place were relationships began, communities formed, and covenant took place. Theologically it makes sense for God to call upon mountains to act as jury. God’s charge against humanity? Their lack of ethics. Businesses overcharge. Wealthy resort to violence. Judges taking bribes. Officials using their office to do evil. Those who know better choosing to walk with other gods. Families turning against each other. Lies, deception. The people have strayed so far, they have forgotten that they forgot. In this courtroom made up of mountains, God reminds the people of all that God has done. When the people hear, truly and honestly hear all the hurt they have caused God, they respond- “What can we do? How can we make this right? What things can we give? Do you want thousands of animals, do you want tons of perfume?” To which God says “I don’t want things. I never did. I want you.” God says “All I want, all I ever wanted is for you to do what is just, to show mercy to others, and to walk with me in the coolness of the afternoon.” This message that God gives to Micah from Moreesheth, this message that Micah gives to the King is one that is so simple, so powerful, so clear… …Here is the Good News- even though people forget, mountains do not. Nor does God. As Isaiah 52:7 states “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, brings good news…announces salvation…” As Christians, who do we claim those feet belong to? Who do we experience upon the many hills in our lives? Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, the Good Shepherd, God With Us. It’s no accident that in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus climbs up a mountain and says to the crowd “Blessed are the merciful and pure in heart.” It is upon a mountain that Jesus feeds the multitude with bread from heaven. In Mark, Jesus goes up a mountain when he sees the disciples struggling during a storm, comes to them, says “Do not be afraid,” and the winds and waves subside. On a mountain Jesus is transfigured with Moses and Elijah beside him. In Matthew, the disciples meet the resurrected Christ upon a mountain, are called to show others how to walk in the ways of Jesus, and told “I will be with you until the end of time.” The mountains were there for it all. They were there in our bondage and in our freedom, in our exile and return. They were there when others tried to curse us, and when God blessed us. From a mountaintop Moses invited us to “Choose life”; upon a mountaintop we witnessed resurrection. In Micah, the mountains are a jury, but in Matthew the mountains are Christ’s invitation to be the Good News. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one who announces peace.” There are many, many mountains in our lives. Some get in the way; some we get over. Some inspire, some scare. But no matter what, the mountains play their own part, reminding us of who God is, how God acts, and what God wants. What God wants, what God has always wanted is to be in relationship with the best of us. Amen.