God’s Word of Justice
Introduction
Micah 3:1-12: Micah denounces those leaders who ignore God’s concern for justice, and he speaks out against those prophets who deceive the people.
Scripture Reading
Micah Denounces Israel’s Leaders
1Listen, you rulers of Israel! You are supposed to be concerned about justice, 2yet you hate what is good and you love what is evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh off their bones. 3You eat my people up. You strip off their skin, break their bones, and chop them up like meat for the pot. 4The time is coming when you will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer you. He will not listen to your prayers, for you have done evil.
5My 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.” 7Those who predict the future will be disgraced by their failure. They will all be humiliated because God does not answer them.
8But 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. 9Listen to me, you rulers of Israel, you that hate justice and turn right into wrong. 10You are building God’s city, Jerusalem, on a foundation of murder and injustice. 11The 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 plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a pile of ruins, and the Temple hill will become a forest.
Today’s Key Verse: Micah 3:8a
But as for me, the LORD fills me with his spirit and power, and gives me a sense of justice.
Reflect
Prophets were to remind people of how God wanted them to live, and they could receive goods or money in return for doing their religious duties. Micah denounces those prophets who take payments but are not willing to speak out against injustice or encourage the leaders to do what is right (verses 5-7). What warning does Micah deliver to those prophets who mislead the people? What false claim do these prophets make (verse 11)? How has God empowered Micah (verse 8)? What sets him apart as a true prophet? Who are the voices for justice today?
Pray
Lord God, you hear the cries of those who are victims of injustice. Fill me with your Spirit and power and give me the courage to speak out against injustice. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Micah 4:1-13: Micah delivers a message of hope.