“Woe betide those who lie in bed planning evil and wicked deeds, and rise at daybreak to do them, knowing that they have the power to do evil!”Micah 2:1 REB
Micah has seen the corruption of Israel’s leaders, and exploitation of the powerless. He has watched lives being uprooted by greedy, callous people who hatched evil plots.
Micah names their evil ways: Oppression, extortion, robbing people of their homes, fields and possessions, even to the point that travelers and returning soldiers, who thought they were in a safe place, lose what they have. Israel’s leaders, claim they are upright, yet as Micah looks around, all he sees is an unscrupulous government. One that takes from the hungry, forces women from their homes and steals the inheritance of their children, while enriching themselves.
His accusations continue against leaders, who pervert justice, and sell verdicts for a bribe. “To defile yourself,” Micah proclaims, “you would commit any mischief however cruel . . . Surely it is for you to know what is right, and yet you hate good and love evil.” Micah 2:10, 3:1 REB
Micah warns there will come a time when they call on God but God is not going to answer, in fact he says, God’s face will be hidden from them, “so wicked are their deeds.” Micah 3:4
I would be crushed to think that God is turning away, from the deepest needs of my spirit and soul. To lose my relationship with God, and assurance that God is present in every circumstance in my life, would be devastating.
Were God’s face to turn away, it would break the covenantal relationship and blessing. It isn’t so much that God does the turning, but evil in hearts set on wickedness, leaves no room for God’s presence.
Micah and other prophets are called by God to speak the uncomfortable truth. God abhors injustice. Whether it is an individual cheating a neighbor, or a government doing harm to its citizens. Acting unjustly creates a breach, between ourselves and God.
In every age, God has sent Prophets to reset a nation’s moral compass. Prophets are rarely welcomed by those profiting from the status quo. Prophetic voices can be loud, chilling, and often irritating, speaking words that interfere, with the comfortable daily life of people unaffected by that injustice. Their voices come as pests, nagging our conscience, refusing to be silenced, seeing a wrong and demanding it be remedied, recognizing danger and warning us to change direction. They force us to see evil, when we would deny its existence, insisting on speaking truth to power.
Prophets speak warnings, and judgment for our own good, to protect us from the inevitable consequences if we continue on our current path. They are commissioned by God to turn us from the darkness in our hearts, to the heart of God, restoring both our relationship with God and with all of God’s children.
To be in the right relationship with God, Micah tells us, is truly simple, for God has already told us what is needed. Seeking justice, acting with kindness and mercy, showing love, and living with humility.
“What does the Lord require of you, but to do Justly, to love Mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
