The Punishment for Abuse of Power
November 8, 2021
Commentary
Micah opens this chapter by stating that many of the people lay awake at night thinking up evil things to do the next day. On these people he pronounced woe, a term used by several prophets to announce guilt and coming judgment (v. 1). In their life style of materialism, the people coveted the fields and houses of others and took them simply because they wanted them (vv. 2-5). Micah was probably speaking against the people who had the power to do such things. Their sin besides materialistic greed and theft, was complete disregard for the rights of their fellow-men.
As a result God was planning disaster against the people. They would be unable to save themselves from God’s judgment because the calamity, when started, would not be stopped. Being unable to save themselves (v. 3) the people would be put down by those around them.
In much of her history, Israel had both true and false prophets. The true prophets spoke for God to the people urging them to return to the moral and ethical values of the Law. In contrast the false prophets spoke only what the people wanted to hear. The people of Micah’s day did not like his message, so they sought these false prophets (vv. 6-11). People often seek a preacher who will console them, rather than convict them of sin (II Tim. 4:3-4). In effect, the prophets were opening the way for the captivity by not warning the people to turn back to the Lord. Two truths are stated (vv. 12-13) which are expanded in chapters 4-5. The first is that the Lord will regather and renew His people as their Shepherd (v. 12) and the second is that the Lord will lead His people as their King (v. 13).
Application
Lord, help me to not be taken up with desires for the things of this world. Help me to evaluate everything that I do in light of what will bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Micah 2:1– 13 (NET)
1 Beware wicked schemers, those who devise calamity as they lie in bed. As soon as morning dawns they carry out their plans, because they have the power to do so.
2 They confiscate the fields they desire and seize the houses they want. They defraud people of their homes and deprive people of the land they have inherited.
3 Therefore the Lord says this: “Look, I am devising disaster for this nation! It will be like a yoke from which you cannot free your neck. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of catastrophe.
4 In that day people will sing this taunt song to you— they will mock you with this lament: ‘We are completely destroyed; they sell off the property of my people. How they remove it from me! They assign our fields to the conqueror.’”
5 Therefore no one will assign you land in the Lord’s community.
6 “Don’t preach with such impassioned rhetoric,” they say excitedly. “These prophets should not preach of such things; we will not be overtaken by humiliation.”
7 Does the family of Jacob say, “The Lord’s patience can’t be exhausted— he would never do such things”? To be sure, my commands bring a reward for those who obey them,
8 but you rise up as an enemy against my people. You steal a robe from a friend, from those who pass by peacefully as if returning from a war.
9 You wrongly evict widows among my people from their cherished homes. You defraud their children of their prized inheritance.
10 But you are the ones who will be forced to leave! For this land is not secure; sin will thoroughly destroy it!
11 If a lying windbag should come and say, ‘I’ll promise you blessings of wine and beer,’ he would be just the right preacher for these people!
12 “I will certainly gather all of you, O Jacob, I will certainly assemble those Israelites who remain. I will bring them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in the middle of a pasture; they will be so numerous that they will make a lot of noise.
13 The one who can break through barriers will lead them out; they will break out, pass through the gate, and leave. Their king will advance before them; the Lord himself will lead them.”