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Between Babel and Beast
(America and Empires in Biblical Perspective)
The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift for James B. Jordan
Fyodor Dostoevsky
(Christian Encounters Series)
Athanasius
(Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality)
The Four: A Survey of the Gospels
Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom
From Behind the Veil: The Epistles of John
Deep Exegesis:The Mystery of Reading Scripture
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
Micah condemns the people of Judah for following the ways of Omri and Ahab. We know from Kings that this is precisely what Judah has been doing. Within Micah 6, though, there is a sharp pun. Verse 16 condemns Judah for doing the works of the house of Ahab, while verse 8 commends the right way for Judah, a way that includes love (ahab) of covenant loyalty. The words are not exactly the same; the “h” on Ahab is the guttural “het” while the “h” on love is “hey.” But the pun is there: Judah has been walking in the house of Ahab while they are called to ahab covenant loyalty.
(The connection is strengthened by the repetition of “walk” in verses 8 and 16. Clearly, the Micah Mandate is being set up as the polar opposite of the Ahab Agenda.)
The contrast becomes sharper when we realize that “covenant loyalty” includes not only faithfulness to Yahweh but kindness to the needy. Ahab failed conspicuously in this when he arranged for Naboth’s murder to seize his vineyard; Ahab did not ahab loyalty.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 2:34 pm
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