Micah accused the rulers of gross social injustice; their exploitation of the poor and perversion of justice was likened to “cannibalism”, so great was the social oppression and injustice. They resorted to theft of property, rejection of legal rights of the poor and even violence and acceptance of bribes in exchange for favour from the rich.
Their evil deeds against the helpless would result in their own helplessness in the day of judgment from the Lord God. Here is a sober reminder to those given leadership responsibilities. God expects such ones to uphold justice, to practise fairness, to avoid wrongful favouritism and to promote righteousness and truth, knowing that there is one above them, God Himself, to whom they would have to give an account.
Micah then turned his attention to the false prophets. They misled the people through greed; they ‘blessed’ those who gave them food and benefit, whilst those who did not were given a message of calamity. These prophets misused their office and role and were guilty of distorting God’s Word and message to the people. Micah warned them that they would be deprived of their abilities and access to God and they would cease to function as a spokesman for God and end up in shame and despair.
In contrast, the true prophet like Micah would fulfil his ministry with power, courage, honesty, and his message would be energised by God’s Spirit; he would uphold justice and expose wrongdoing.We are reminded in Scriptures that to those who are given much, much would be required; judgement would be more severe on those who are called to speak and teach on behalf of God. Misusing this role and responsibility would incur severe judgement from the Lord! There is no place for distorting the truth and teaching of the Lord for personal gain and benefit.
In the closing judgement speech in chapter three, Micah again addressed the nation’s rulers, the prophets and the priests. He warned them of the seriousness of social injustice, greed, unjust violence, the taking of bribes and the motivation for profit, even in the teaching of the Law to God’s people.
Despite these evil deeds and the breaking of God’s covenant, these leaders had the audacity to claim protection from the Lord and the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem. They were falsely confident that Jerusalem will not fall. Their presumption was unfounded. God would see to it that Jerusalem would suffer a similar fate as Samaria; the city would be uprooted, overturned and destroyed and the temple mount would become a habitation for wild beasts.
The prophecy was temporarily postponed because of the repentance and faithfulness of king Hezekiah but it was eventually fulfilled when Jerusalem was sacked by the Babylonians and the temple burned.
God’s people cannot afford to take God’s grace for granted and be presumptuous. God’s mercy, grace and love are extended to us to cause us to repent and to walk in the light. A persistence in walking in darkness and grieving the Spirit of God would only mean testing the goodness of God and inviting judgement and discipline from Him. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!