Micah Chapter 3
vs 1 Then I said, "Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice, you who hate good and love evil.....
Micah denounced the sins of the leaders, priests and prophets - those responsible for teaching the people right from wrong. The leaders who should have known the law and taught to the people, had set the law aside and had become the worst of sinners. They were taking advantage of the very people they were supposed to serve. All sin is bad but the sin that leads others astray is the worst of all.
vs 5 -7 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. Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them. The seers will be ashamed and diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.
Micah remained true to his calling and proclaimed God's words in contrast, the false prophets messages were geared to the favors they received. Rather than warning the people about the consequences of sin, they gave the people false hope by declaring God would not bring punishment.
vs 8 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, on the other hand, submitted to the authority of God, which cannot be influenced by bribes or threats. Micah's confidence came from the power of the Holy Spirit working in him:
vs 12 Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field,Jerusalem will become a heap of rubbole, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.
When Jeremiah announced the Babylonian captivity to Judah around 100 years later the oldest inhabitants could remember the prophecy at the time of king Hezekiah in Micah 3:12 (see Jeremiah 26:18). This is a proof that the inspired writings of the OT were immediately recognized and respected as such by the people of God (compare Daniel 9:2 and Ezra 1:1). The same implies also for the writings of the New Testament. 1 Timothy 5:18, for example, is a quotation of Luke's gospel. 2 Peter 3:15 is another reference (where Paul's epistles are mentioned).
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Jeremiah 26:18 Some of the elders of the land stepped forward and said to the entire assembly of people, "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets."
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First5 Prayer: Lord, help us to lead the people You allow us to lead well. Help us to stay under Your authority and guidance through the Holy Spirit so we can leave a legacy of leadership that will last. In Jesus' name, amen.