Micah 3

Micah’s prophecy begins with the indictment against God’s people.  He addresses the sins of Samaria and Jerusalem (1:1-7), but then lays the emphasis on the Southern Kingdom (1:8-16).  In Ch. 2 Micah gives more detail, charging evildoers in general (2:1-5) who have followed the lead of false prophets (2:6-11).  In 2:12-13 there is a brief statement of the future time when the remnant of Israel will be restored with their king leading them and the LORD at their head.  

This brief statement will be expanded in Micah 4-5; but for now Micah is not finished explaining the problem.  Having noted a time when the LORD is at their head and there is a king who follows Him Micah returns to the indictment, this time addressing the current rulers.

However take note of Micah 3:1.  Micah says hear now.  This is a common term (shamah), used over a thousand times in the Old Testament.  It is notable in Deut. 6:4 in what is called The Shamah: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! It is a call, not only to hear physically, but to respond properly.  In Micah 3:1 it comes after the brief message of hope.  Maybe people will hear the words of hope and think, “well, everything is going to turn out okay in the end; we don’t need to be so worried.” So the LORD says, “But now, before you focus on the future, now you need to hear, obey and respond properly.”

·        3:1-4: The rulers of the house of Israel are the king, the princes and other civil rulers.  They were obstructing justice, hating what is good and loving evil.  They used their power to oppress the people and gain wealth for themselves.  One consequence is that God is not hearing them when they cry out, a different term that simply means He is not answering them.

·        3:5-8: The prophets make my people stray.  In Israel the people were called to hear the prophets; but if the prophets are false then the people will suffer for it.  These prophets promised peace, saying in effect, all is well.  These who were supposed to shine the light of truth for the people would face a time of darkness, again, where they received no answer from God.  Contrast all this with Micah’s description of himself in v8.  As the prophet of God he speaks for God, being full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, declaring to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.  Micah’s message would have been distinctive from these other self-proclaimed prophets, a hard message, not one designed for people’s pleasure.  We need such voices today in the Church!

·        3:9-12: Micah concludes with an indictment not only of rulers and prophets but also the priests and judges who shared the leadership in Jerusalem.  It is a charge of justice perverted and of silence from the religious leaders.  They are all motivated by the lust for riches, but in the end the city they have filled with bloodshed will be plowed like a field, becoming a heap of ruin.

There is something to observe in all this.  The leaders have not only failed because they pervert justice for their own gain.  They have failed because they have not provided for the people.  The people needed rulers who would protect them from injustice and prophets and priests who would shine the light of truth on their lives and nation.  Leaders serve a God-appointed purpose; failure to do this will result in God fulfilling that purpose.