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Micah Denounces Israel's Leaders
Mica 3.5-12
Good News Translation (GNT)
5 My people are deceived by prophets who
promise peace to those who pay them, but
threaten war for those who don't. To these
prophets the Lord says,
6 "Prophets, your day is almost over; the sun is
going down on you. Because you mislead my
people, you will have no more prophetic
visions, and you will not be able to predict
anything."
7 Those who predict the future will be disgraced
by their failure. They will all be humiliated
because God does not answer them.
8 But as for me, the Lord fills me with his spirit
and power, and gives me a sense of justice
and the courage to tell the people of Israel
what their sins are.
9 Listen to me, you rulers of Israel, you that hate
justice and turn right into wrong.
10 You are building God's city, Jerusalem, on a
foundation of murder and injustice.
11 The city's rulers govern for bribes, the priests
interpret the Law for pay, the prophets give
their revelations for money - and they all claim
that the Lord is with them. "No harm will come
to us," they say. "The Lord is with us."
12 And so, because of you, Zion will be ploughed
like a field, Jerusalem will become a pile of
ruins, and the Temple hill will become a forest.
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Taken from 'word-on-the-web' supplied by the
Scripture Union
Oppression and injustice
Micah's denunciation of self-serving leaders and false prophets (vs 5-7) continues.
Leaders, priests and prophets all work in collusion to exploit and oppress the poor and vulnerable (vs 9-11a); justice is despised and distorted. Worse, all this is being done in the name of the Lord (v 11b).
Speaking out
While other false prophets claim the Lord's protection for God's people regardless of their behaviour, Micah, empowered by the Spirit, is bold enough to speak out about what is wrong.
Jerusalem, the centre of worship, will suffer the same fate as Samaria: complete destruction and exile.
Perhaps we take it for granted that there will always be a Christian church in our country, that God will never withdraw his protection and blessing.
The church at Ephesus thought so (see Revelation 2:1-7, especially v 5), but it was not too long before both city and church disappeared from the map!
What does it mean for a church to remain faithful to the Lord?
In church life, what aspects do you think should change and adapt to fit the prevailing culture, and what aspects and parts of the message should never vary?
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