3:1ffMicah denounced the sins of the leaders, including priests and prophets—those responsible for teaching the people right from wrong. The leaders, who should have known the law and taught it to the people, had set the law aside and had become the worst of sinners. They were taking advantage of the very people they were supposed to serve. All sin is bad, but the sin that leads others astray is the worst of all.
Life Application Study BibleMicahChapter 3
Micah 3
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1468, 1469
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
3Micah 3
1and tear the flesh from their bones.
3Yes, you eat my people’s flesh,strip off their skin,and break their bones.You chop them uplike meat for the cooking pot.
4Then you beg the LORD for help in times of trouble!Do you really expect him to answer?After all the evil you have done,he won't even look at you!”
5This is what the LORD says:“You false prophets are leading my people astray!You promise peace for those who give you food,but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.
6Now the night will close around you,cutting off all your visions.Darkness will cover you,putting an end to your predictions.The sun will set for you prophets,and your day will come to an end.
7Then you seers will be put to shame,and you fortune-tellers will be disgraced.
And you will cover your facesbecause there is no answer from God.”
8But as for me, I am filled with power—with the Spirit of the LORD.Tam filled with justice and strengthto boldly declare Israet’s sin and rebellion.
9Listen to me, you leaders of Israel!You hate justice and twist all that is right.
10You are building Jerusalemona foundation of murder and corruption.
11You rulers make decisions based on bribes;you priests teach God's laws only for a price;you prophets won't prophesy unless you are paid.Yet all of you claim to depend on the LORD.“No harm can come to us,” you say,“for the LORD is here among us.”
12Because of you, Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field;Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins!A thicket will grow on the heightswhere the Temple now stands.
The LORD’s Future Reign
4 1In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s housewill be the highest of all—the most important place on earth.It will be raised above the other hills,
Life Application Notes 7 notes
3:1The dividing line between right and wrong often seems blurred, but spiritual leaders are supposed to help others see it. The Bible is God’s guidebook to show us how to distinguish right and wrong. Spiritual leaders must understand the Bible’s principles, teach them clearly, and exemplify them in their lives. While leaders cannot force people to do right, they should point them in that direction.
3:2-4The leaders had no compassion or respect for those they were supposed to serve. They were treating the people miserably in order to satisfy their own desires; then they had the gall to ask for God’s help when they found themselves in trouble. We, like the leaders, should not treat God like a tight switch to be turned on only as needed. Instead, we should always rely on him.
3:5-7Micah remained true to his calling and proclaimed God's words. in contrast, the false prophets’ messages were geared to the favors they received. Not all those who claim to have messages from God really do. Micah prophesied that one day the false prophets would be shamed by their actions.
3:8Micah attributed the power of his ministry to the Spirit of the LORD. Our power comes from the same source. Jesus told his followers they would receive power to witness about him when the Holy Spirit came on them (Acts 1:8). You can’t witness effectively by relying on your own strength, because fear will keep you from speaking out for God. Only by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit can you live and witness for him.
3:11Micah warned the rulers, priests, and prophets of his day to avoid bribes. Pastors today accept bribes when they allow those who are big contributors to contro! the church. If fear of losing money or members influences pastors to remain silent when they should speak up for what is right, their churches are in danger. We should remember that Judah was finally destroyed because of the behavior of its religious leaders. A similar warning must be directed at those who have money—vever use your resources to influence or manipulate God's ministers—that is bribery.
3:12Jerusalern would be destroyed just as Samaria was (1:6). This happened in 586 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army attacked the city (2 Kings 25). Although Micah blamed the corrupt leaders, the people were not without fault. They allowed the corruption to continue without turning to God or calling for justice.