I trust by now readers of this blog have read my book in the "old testament" of the Protestant bible. The words attributed to me in that book are my own words -- I can vouch for that.
However, I need to clear up a misconception.
I am one of what is commonly called the "old testament prophets." We are a misunderstood group. The common perception is that we were soothsayers -- that we wandered around biblical lands, clad in a white robe, carrying a staff, and we foretold the future.
Hardly.
In fact, we were important political commentators. If you will take the time to study our writings and our speaking -- we are recorded in such "old testament" books as Jeremiah, the Lamentations of Jeremiah, Exekiel, Micah, Obadiah, Ezra, and the like. Our message was simple:
-- God has been good to the nation of Israel -- he led us out of bondage in Egypt, he gave us the "promised land," he has given us victory over out enemies.
-- In exchange for this, God asks very little from us. As I say in Micah 6:8 " . . . And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
-- HOWEVER -- the nation of Israel cannot follow even this simple request from God -- the Israelites were forever chasing after false gods, oppressing the poor, and generally turning their backs on God.
-- SO -- if that's the way the nation of Israel wants to act, then, God will punish them.
That was our message -- and we usually were ignored, with tragic consequences for the nation of Israel.
Because I, The Prophet Micah, have lived forever, I now look upon the nation of the United States of America and I find a nation almost exactly like the nation of Israel to which I spoke centuries ago.
God blessed the USA with bountiful forests, oceans, rivers, plains, minerals, and the like. God blessed the USA with smart, brave, industrious people of different backgrounds, each of them making their contribution to the general good.
And what have you done with it?
-- You have spoiled the forests, the plains, the air, the water.
-- You have turned your government over to a gang of cutthroats who protect the rich and powerful while trampling on the poor, the old, the children, and the needy.
-- You have used your genius and your treasure to build, not a force for peace, but to build a mighty military machine that sows death and destruction across the Earth.
I, The Prophet Micah, have come to warn you -- turn from your ways, embrace peace, care for the Earth -- "act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God" -- if you don't follow this simple prescription, nothing can save you from the destruction that awaits you.
