Isaiah and Micah – One Evening in Jerusalem, 751 BC

M: It is good we have finally met, Isaiah. I’ve heard much about you. The faithful say we are speaking about the same event – the event to come – the one of which we’ve been told.
I: Yes! Tell me what have you been saying?
M: I’ve been trying to get the attention of the rabbis in Bethlehem. I told them, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter— from you will come the Leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. But they aren’t listening.
I: Oh Micah, who believes what we’ve heard and seen? Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this? The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. I speak in past tense about the future. I have seen it! It is a sure thing!
M: The One who is going to be born in Bethlehem, He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
I: This is true, but you speak of His glory while I speak of His humility. There was nothing attractive about Him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at Him and people turned away. We looked down on Him, thought He was scum.
M: Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the Child is born, and the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel.
I: But the fact is, it was our pains He carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought He brought it on Himself, that God was punishing Him for His own failures. But it was our sins that did that to Him, that ripped and tore and crushed Him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through His bruises we get healed.
M: He will stand tall in His shepherd-rule by GOD’s strength, centered in the majesty of GOD – Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold Him in respect— Peacemaker of the world!
I: Of course, Micah, but it is personal! We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on Him, on Him.
M: Isaiah, I have not only said all this, I’ve written it down.
I: I have too. Though I’m not sure why. No one seems to listen, why should we think they will read?
M: Maybe they’ll read what we’ve written – even after it is done, generations from now – and see that we foretold it all?
I: Many won’t, but some will, Micah, some will.

*Much of this text taken from the books of Isaiah and Micah as found in The Message, by Eugene Peterson.