A Lovely Walk

I am in a covenant relationship. My wife and I have been married for over seventeen years. I will grant you that many others have been married for longer than that, but one thing I am reminded of in this relationship is that we do not always communicate well. This has been sorely tested as we have and are still going through one of the most stressful things in life. We have shifted from the suburb of North Sydney to the Suburb of Epping in Sydney. There are moments during this process when we had to stop and remind ourselves of our relationship and its covenant.

It is not that we are not talking; we just don’t and haven’t been talking at the same rate or even exchange information in the same way. Often, when I have been thinking about an issue or problem, I forget that my wife has not been privy to my thoughts. In my haste to share my latest understandings or hopes or plans, I bombard her with words—and forget to mention the subject or context. She patiently listens, trying to understand me, and finally must ask the context etc.

In the book of Micah, God is more structured and methodical. God seems to share with Israel everything giving, exact, historical details of their relationship over time. God reminds the people of God’s presence and action in their lives. Yet, the nation Israel has forgotten they are in a covenantal relationship; they have gone of the path. God demands their loyalty and love but the people are estranged from God. God reminds them of what has been done on their behalf and how they thrive when they follow Gods ways.

God recognises the traditional burnt offerings and the unacceptable offering of the firstborn as attempts to return. How many times have the people been told not to imitate the abominable practices of the Canaanites who sacrifice their own children? The people just forget; in their desire to re-establish their covenant with Adonai (God), they show they still have attachments to heathen rituals. I see some reflections of these dynamics in the various covenant relationships we have in our lives.  

We think we have been perfectly clear in our feelings and desires. We have even been overwhelming in providing details on what we require or want. However, many of us have a tendency, like the Israelite's, to make up for our shortcomings with gifts and generosity in small things. Israel began by offering year-old calves and upped it to thousands of rams, rivers of oil, and finally the firstborn. They wanted to please, to the extent of even offering what they did not have the authority to give.

Drawing from my own limited experience of male and female approaches to life, it seems as if Israel was more masculine than feminine in its approach. If one is stronger in the masculine side then they generally seem to be more concerned with plans, processes, and solutions, while those with a strong feminine side tend to focus on emotions and relationship. Israel wanted to know what to do; what should the plan of action be?

I must add, that I am applying some observations here and I am not attempting to stereotype the sexes. Generally, people with a strong feminine want to discuss problems more, get more details, and relate personal history as to how they would feel if someone hurt their feelings or did not seem to appreciate what had been done for them. It is a valid problem-solving procedure. They relate what would make them feel better and apply that knowledge to the problem at hand.

Often, those with a strong masculine, once they understand a problem, want to take action to solve it. They don’t ignore emotions and relationships but focus more on action than feeling. This is also a valid approach to problem solving. In Micah, it is the approach Israel takes— Israel acts to solve the problem of its broken relationship with God.  The answer God gives Israel is perfect—short, concise, and full of action verbs with emotional connections. As such, it addresses both masculine and feminine understandings and priorities of action and relationships.

God tells Israel exactly what to do, what to love, and how to walk! Do what is just. Love kindness. Walk humbly. Today, as New Testament people, we may think that these requirements have been replaced by the cross. Yet, if injustice, poverty, and oppression exist in our world, we need to be reminded of Gods words. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly. Three small phrases perhaps, but they carry the weight of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures alike.