Micah 3: God’s Leaders

​Key Verse
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 and to Israel his sin.
 
Meditation
God will not tolerate corruption in His leaders. God’s word offers a diagnosis of unjust leaders as God’s grace offers opportunity to repent and return to God. Christians follow the true leader who took our place as a victim of injustice to satisfy God’s justice, that believers may be justified in Him. From Jesus’ justifying work, Christians and Christian leaders must obey God’s word and reflect God’s character.
 
In today’s reading Micah proclaims God’s word to corrupt political rulers, (vv. 1-4) false prophets, (vv. 5-8) and moneygrubbing religious leaders. (vv. 9-11) Micah’s diagnosis of their unjust leadership concludes with doom, the destruction of Jerusalem if her leaders did not repent. (v. 12) Micah contrasted his power and purpose, delineated by the presence of God’s Spirit, as he commanded God’s leaders to hear God’s diagnosis and promise of impending doom. (v. 9) 
 
Corrupt leaders look for power in typical places- position, prosperity, and popularity. Their pride protects these places, but their leadership lacks power and purpose because they reject God, ignore His word, and do not live by God’s Spirit.  
 
Jesus Christ is the true prophet, greater than Micah, who came as God’s Word made flesh. Jesus left His place in Heaven, moving from the position of King to the posture of servant, in order to give His life for His people. Jesus satisfied justice so Christians can live justly, being a willing loser for other’s gain, dying for others to live, and walking in love as He loved us- giving Himself for us. 
 
Today’s Reading
And I said:
Hear, you heads of Jacob
    and rulers of the house of Israel!
Is it not for you to know justice?--
2     you who hate the good and love the evil,
who tear the skin from off my people
    and their flesh from off their bones,
3 who eat the flesh of my people,
    and flay their skin from off them,
and break their bones in pieces
    and chop them up like meat in a pot,
    like flesh in a cauldron.
4 Then they will cry to the Lord,
    but he will not answer them;
he will hide his face from them at that time,
    because they have made their deeds evil.

5 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets
    who lead my people astray,
who cry “Peace”
    when they have something to eat,
but declare war against him
    who puts nothing into their mouths.
6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision,
    and darkness to you, without divination.
The sun shall go down on the prophets,
    and the day shall be black over them;
7 the seers shall be disgraced,
    and the diviners put to shame;
they shall all cover their lips,
    for there is no answer from God.

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
    and to Israel his sin.

9 Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob
    and rulers of the house of Israel,
who detest justice
    and make crooked all that is straight,
10 who build Zion with blood
    and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 Its heads give judgment for a bribe;
    its priests teach for a price;
    its prophets practice divination for money;
yet they lean on the Lord and say,
    “Is not the Lord in the midst of us?
    No disaster shall come upon us.”

12 Therefore because of you
    Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
    and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially Micah’s diagnosis and description of the impending doom?
 
-Where do you see injustice in Christian communities? Where do you see it in your own heart? Take a moment to lament, then look to Jesus.
 
-How does the finished work of Jesus compel you to live faithfully for Him- loving justice, showing mercy, and walking humbly with Him? Where, specifically, do you need to live dependently on God’s Spirit so this aspect of God’s heart can be seen through your life and leadership?
 
Key Verse
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 and to Israel his sin.