Micah 3:1–12

Introduction

Micah 3:1–12: Micah denounces leaders who ignore God’s concern for justice, and he speaks out against prophets who deceive the people.

Today’s Key Verse: Micah 3:8a (GNT)

But as for me, the LORD fills me with his spirit and power, and gives me a sense of justice.

Read

3 Listen, you rulers of Israel! You are supposed to be concerned about justice, ² yet you hate what is good and you love what is evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh off their bones. ³ You eat my people up. You strip off their skin, break their bones, and chop them up like meat for the pot. ⁴ The 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.

⁵ My 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.” ⁷ Those who predict the future will be disgraced by their failure. They will all be humiliated because God does not answer them.

⁸ But 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. ⁹ Listen to me, you rulers of Israel, you that hate justice and turn right into wrong. ¹⁰ You are building God’s city, Jerusalem, on a foundation of murder and injustice. ¹¹ The 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.

Reflect

God sent prophets to remind his people how he wanted them to live. It was not uncommon for prophets to receive goods or money for performing their duties. Micah denounces those prophets who accept payment but are unwilling to speak out against injustice or encourage leaders to do what is right (verses 5–7). What warning does Micah deliver to the prophets who mislead the people? How has God empowered Micah (verse 8)? What sets him apart as a true prophet? What claims do the false prophets make (verse 11)? Who are prophetic voices for justice today?

Pray

Lord God, you hear the cries of those who face injustice. Fill me with your Spirit and power and give me the courage to speak out against injustice. Amen.

And now, join us in praising God for the first Guidar Bible translation in Africa. Lord God, with great joy and celebration, the Guidar Bible was received by the Guidar people in Cameroon earlier this year. The cargo of Bibles had nearly been lost on its way across the ocean when the ship carrying them caught fire. Miraculously, the new Bibles survived, and the dedication ceremony drew people from all over the region who rejoiced with singing, dancing, and reading portions of the Bible aloud. Thanks to the generosity of Bible-A-Month Partners, your life-transforming message is spreading throughout Cameroon and beyond. Thank you, Lord God! Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Micah 4:1—5:1: Micah delivers a message of hope.