THE RIB

S.E.E.D. For Today_Dealing With The Charges

Scripture "And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord's complaint! He has a case against His people. He will bring charges against Israel. "O my people, what I have done to you to make you tired of Me?  ;"when I did everything I could to teach you about My faithfulness." Micah 6:2-3b,5b NLT

Now Israel has to face God who is now bringing charges against His covenant people. The form of the case against Israel by the Lord is presented in full courtroom drama. The mountains and the foundations of the earth are the jury called to hear the terms of this lawsuit. In setting forth His case the Lord addresses the people with a question "what have I done to you?" In v. 3c He says "Answer Me!" God wants to know how have I burdened you? The contempt against Me and my faithfulness to you, why? Has my love for you become a burden? They had no answer. God reminded them how He delivered them from Egyptian slavery and foreign domination. How He sent the law through Moses to redeem them, the miracles He performed for them, His promises for them how He kept them although they complained and rebelled many times. God had not burdened His people but He was everything for them, their Protector, their Defender, their Redeemer, giving them His grace and mercy more times than they deserved.

Example  The Rib or (reeb) is an Hebrew expression translated as charge, case, complaint, or accusation. The Hebrew verb for the term is to strive or argue a case. Here God now presents "rib" (reeb) against the children of Israel. The complaining and the murmuring God brought it before a court to be heard. Remember these are God's covenant people, they are in a contract agreement, which they have breeched many times.

Exercise Read in its entirety Micah 6 in the New Living Translation. The people had departed from the Lord in attitude and in action and did not even know it. They grew weary with the demands of true faith. Now they are dealing with the charges brought against them by God. What has God done to deserve our neglect of His precepts, why must we fuss about everything He wants to do through us, especially after all He has done. The children of Israel had so much to say, but when the case was brought against them they were silent. God is wounded and we are responsible. Today search your heart and find ways to make restitution for your crimes of murmuring, complaining and rebellion, make a list of why you owe so much gratitude.

Devotion Lord I received the summons to hear Your case. My apologies to you and the court of Heaven and Earth. I'm dealing with the charges, Forgive me, I am now conscious of my ways. Your Word shall I hide in my heart forever that I will not sin against You. In Jesus Name Amen