Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.
In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.
Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the Lord.
Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.
O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the Lord straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.
The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.
Micah 2 delivers a powerful message of judgment against injustice and a promise of future restoration. This chapter highlights the sins of the powerful, their rejection of true prophecy, and God's ultimate plan to gather a remnant of His people. It serves as a stark warning against oppression and a beacon of hope for those who trust in God's unwavering faithfulness.
Woe to the Planners of Evil (Micah 2:1-5)
Micah begins with a pronouncement of "Woe!" This isn't just a word of sadness, but a declaration of impending judgment. He indicts those who "dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds!" (Micah 2:1). These are not impulsive acts, but carefully crafted schemes, hatched in the quiet hours of the night. The chilling aspect is that "at morning light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands" (Micah 2:1). Their wickedness isn't born of necessity, but of opportunity. They are powerful and they abuse that power to exploit others.
The specifics of their wickedness involve land grabbing. Micah 2:2 reveals that these wealthy and influential leaders are plotting to seize farms, homes, and inheritances. This was a direct violation of God's covenant with Israel, where land was meant to be a lasting inheritance for families. By dispossessing the vulnerable, they were undermining the very fabric of Israelite society.
But God is not silent in the face of such injustice. Micah declares that God has a plan for these oppressors (Micah 2:3-5). Just as they deprive the innocent of their land, they themselves will be removed from the land. Their wickedness will ultimately lead to their own downfall. This serves as a powerful reminder that earthly power is fleeting, and that God's justice will ultimately prevail.
Rejection of True Prophecy (Micah 2:6-11)
Micah's faithful proclamation of God's word is met with resistance. The people don't want to hear it. "Quit your preaching," they demand (Micah 2:6). This mirrors the experience of many prophets throughout the Old Testament, and even echoes in the New Testament with figures like Stephen (Acts 7:57). When truth challenges our comfort and exposes our sin, the natural human tendency is to reject the messenger.
Micah's audience, like ostriches with their heads in the sand, insists that none of these judgments will come upon them (Micah 2:6). They prefer a message of ease and indulgence. They would rather listen to a preacher who would preach about "wine and beer" (Micah 2:11) – a message of pleasure and self-gratification. This highlights the dangerous allure of false prophecy, which often tickles the ears rather than challenges the heart. It is a warning to us to carefully discern the messages we hear, ensuring they align with God's Word and lead us to repentance and obedience.
A Remnant Gathered (Micah 2:12-13)
Amidst the pronouncements of judgment, a glimmer of hope shines through. Even though most of the people have rejected him, God will collect a remnant of his people (Micah 2:12). This speaks to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Even when His people stray, He remains committed to saving a remnant, a faithful few who will carry on His purpose.
Micah uses the imagery of a shepherd gathering his lost sheep (Micah 2:12). This foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who would lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11-18). God himself will save his people. "Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader" (Micah 2:13). This speaks of a triumphant return from exile, led by God himself. It is a powerful image of God's sovereignty and His commitment to leading His people to safety and restoration.
Micah 2 presents a sobering picture of injustice and its consequences, but it also offers a powerful message of hope. It reminds us that God sees and judges injustice, but He also offers redemption and restoration to those who turn to Him. This chapter serves as a call to examine our own hearts, to ensure that we are not contributing to injustice, and to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness to gather and lead His people.
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.
In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.
Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the Lord.
Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.
O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the Lord straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.
The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.
Micah 2 delivers a powerful message of judgment against injustice and a promise of future restoration. This chapter highlights the sins of the powerful, their rejection of true prophecy, and God's ultimate plan to gather a remnant of His people. It serves as a stark warning against oppression and a beacon of hope for those who trust in God's unwavering faithfulness.
Woe to the Planners of Evil (Micah 2:1-5)
Micah begins with a pronouncement of "Woe!" This isn't just a word of sadness, but a declaration of impending judgment. He indicts those who "dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds!" (Micah 2:1). These are not impulsive acts, but carefully crafted schemes, hatched in the quiet hours of the night. The chilling aspect is that "at morning light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands" (Micah 2:1). Their wickedness isn't born of necessity, but of opportunity. They are powerful and they abuse that power to exploit others.
The specifics of their wickedness involve land grabbing. Micah 2:2 reveals that these wealthy and influential leaders are plotting to seize farms, homes, and inheritances. This was a direct violation of God's covenant with Israel, where land was meant to be a lasting inheritance for families. By dispossessing the vulnerable, they were undermining the very fabric of Israelite society.
But God is not silent in the face of such injustice. Micah declares that God has a plan for these oppressors (Micah 2:3-5). Just as they deprive the innocent of their land, they themselves will be removed from the land. Their wickedness will ultimately lead to their own downfall. This serves as a powerful reminder that earthly power is fleeting, and that God's justice will ultimately prevail.
Rejection of True Prophecy (Micah 2:6-11)
Micah's faithful proclamation of God's word is met with resistance. The people don't want to hear it. "Quit your preaching," they demand (Micah 2:6). This mirrors the experience of many prophets throughout the Old Testament, and even echoes in the New Testament with figures like Stephen (Acts 7:57). When truth challenges our comfort and exposes our sin, the natural human tendency is to reject the messenger.
Micah's audience, like ostriches with their heads in the sand, insists that none of these judgments will come upon them (Micah 2:6). They prefer a message of ease and indulgence. They would rather listen to a preacher who would preach about "wine and beer" (Micah 2:11) – a message of pleasure and self-gratification. This highlights the dangerous allure of false prophecy, which often tickles the ears rather than challenges the heart. It is a warning to us to carefully discern the messages we hear, ensuring they align with God's Word and lead us to repentance and obedience.
A Remnant Gathered (Micah 2:12-13)
Amidst the pronouncements of judgment, a glimmer of hope shines through. Even though most of the people have rejected him, God will collect a remnant of his people (Micah 2:12). This speaks to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Even when His people stray, He remains committed to saving a remnant, a faithful few who will carry on His purpose.
Micah uses the imagery of a shepherd gathering his lost sheep (Micah 2:12). This foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who would lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11-18). God himself will save his people. "Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader" (Micah 2:13). This speaks of a triumphant return from exile, led by God himself. It is a powerful image of God's sovereignty and His commitment to leading His people to safety and restoration.
Micah 2 presents a sobering picture of injustice and its consequences, but it also offers a powerful message of hope. It reminds us that God sees and judges injustice, but He also offers redemption and restoration to those who turn to Him. This chapter serves as a call to examine our own hearts, to ensure that we are not contributing to injustice, and to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness to gather and lead His people.