Power corrupts when sin abounds in the heart of leaders. Micah proclaims God’s judgment of the political and religious leaders of the time. The political leaders were being charged with not knowing true justice, with careless abuse of the people, with turning God’s wrath upon them in the form of silence, with distorting what is right, with cruelty, with teaching wickedness, and with judging for bribes. That is quite a litany of charges being brought against them.
You would hope we had learned the lessons from time but our nation seems to be going down the same paths. Our leaders declare that truth is no longer absolute. Some people have declared the Bible as irrelevant because it gets in the way of their lusts and desires. I could go on and on about universities that teach pornography, unions and other PACs that bribe government officials, imminent domain laws, and more.
"Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice, 2 you who hate good and love evil; Micah 3:1-2 (NIV)
The people that lead others astray are the ones who have become drunk on power. Our system of government was established on protecting individual rights while carrying out the will of the majority. Our leaders are supposed to be representing the people who elect them but party politics have run amuck and leaders cling to party affiliate more than listening to their constituents. Their thirst for power has driven them to establish more power and brandish it willingly. The P.C. of our government officials ignites storms of discontent (and they say we just don’t get it). They seem to hate good and love what is evil.
This is what the LORD says: "As for the prophets who lead my people astray, if one feeds them, they proclaim 'peace'; if he does not, they prepare to wage war against him. Micah 3:5 (NIV)
Religious leaders in the time of Micah were just as guilty. They led God’s people astray with false claims of peace and blamed God when their claims proved false. They each had a price to teach and to tell fortunes. Their vulgar understanding about God led them to believe that God would not act in judgment.
The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God. Micah 3:7 (NIV)What astonishes me is the judgment announced because they had forsaken God. God was going to shut off all dreams and visions of these false teachers. He was going to cause them to live in shame and in disgrace. Their shame would be so great that they would cover their faces so not to be recognized by the people (they would live in the shadows because of their misdeeds and lies). Jerusalem would become rubble, and the temple hill would be overgrown with thickets.
If ever there was a warning for the church of today, then it is to avoid disgrace by returning to God in prayer and listening to what He is saying. We must strive to keep the Bible in the forefront of our nation as a beacon of truth and a barometer of our nations’ faith. We need to stand together and fight against sinful tyranny.
But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. Micah 3:8 (NIV)
There is always hope in God. Micah knew this in verse 8. We must be filled with power from the Holy Spirit. We must act in justice and in might. We must never be afraid to stand up against sin’s influence in our society.
- Do you believe our nation is headed towards more difficulties?
- How should we be praying for our leaders?
- How can we positively impact our community with God’s truth?
- How involved are you in the political processes of your community?
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