Micah, like all the prophets, deals with disobedience to Yahweh’s commands, social justice, and idolatry. Perhaps more than most, he deals with social injustice.
The inspired writing of the prophets in the Old Testament helps us to interpret the complexities of both the present and the future in the light of the past. They also provide a clear written standard to help us cope with the injustices and evils of our day.
Micah 2:1-3 God does not allow sin to go unpunished, even with His own people.
4 – The lamentation concerns the changing of hands of the land allotted to the people. It was Israel’s exclusive possession and had become the property of her enemies.
5 – Joshua 14:1-5 Because of their blatant disregard, the oppressors had removed themselves from any inheritance in the congregation.
6 The NIV translates this as – “Do not prophesy,” their prophets say. “Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
The true prophets apparently were considered troublemakers since their powerful sermons disgraced the privileged classes and embarrassed the false prophets.
7 – For those walking rightly, Micah’s words would have had a benign effect.
8 – The subsequent context shows that their hostile acts were directed against the less fortunate.
10 – This is not an exhortation to the children of God to depart out of an ungodly world, though that sentiment is a scriptural one. The essence is: “Since such are your doings, My sentence on you is irrevocable, you who have cast out others from their homes and possessions; now you will be cast out.”
12 and 13 Micah turned abruptly to a statement of hope. Micah’s hope was not centered in his generation but in a remnant that would be led by their king from captivity to deliverance.
3:1-4 The civil leaders treated the poor like animals being butchered and prepared for eating. The Hebrew word for “skin” is often used for the hide of animals.
5 The religious leaders are the second major group of leaders to influence the people. Yahweh holds both groups accountable for the demise of the people.
8 – Micah contrasted his prophetic activity with that of the false prophets.
4:1 – 8 Our future, when justice will prevail, must be our focus today when it does not.
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