NBBC SS: Micah 3, Serve the Lord in Any Position With His Gifts

Introduction: Having just finished Hosea, we’re now going to look at Micah for the remainder of the Sunday School term this Fall. Since we’re going to be looking at Micah, a word or two about the first couple of chapters is in order.

Micah 1:1 indicates that he was from Moresheth, more specifically Moresheth-Gath, a town around 20 mi sw of Jerusalem (NBD).

Micah prophesied during the reigns of the Judean kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah; a period spanning from 742 BC to 687 BC (NBD), just over 70 years!

Micah’s prophesy concerns the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem, the capitols of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, respectively.

Micah’s prophesy addresses the corruption associated with both of those cities that includes both idolatry and taking advantage of the citizenry, which is going to come into specific focus in our passage today (NBD).

However, Micah’s sobering tone is tempered with the Lord’s promise of restoration of His people throughout the book (NBD) that will be considered in the upcoming weeks.

Micah 3:1-4 “1 And I said, “Hear now, heads of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel. Is it not for you to know justice?

What is the purpose of the phrase “Hear now?”

Listen up!

What is about to be said is important.

Notice who this phrase is directed to.

“heads of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel.”

Who is being addressed here?

the leaders of the nation of Israel.

They are the ones who need to listen to this message.

Is this only for the leaders of Israel though?

No.

It’s for all of God’s people who are in leadership.

What is the question that these leaders of God’s people are asked?

“Is it not for you to know justice?”

What is meant by “know justice”?

the these individuals would know right from wrong

If you have to ask someone the question “don’t you know what is right to do?” what does that imply about their present activity?

they’re not doing what is right

When I think of this phrase, I can almost hear my mom or dad saying, “Didn’t I tell you …?”

In other words, there’s an assumption that these leaders should know better

Why should leaders know better?

because they have a greater responsibility in overseeing the welfare of the people

By implication then, what is it that the leaders are practicing?

Injustice

Why is this even a problem to begin with?

Leadership responsibilities carry with it a certain amount of attention that makes them susceptible

If our leaders practice injustice, such acts demonstrate a heart problem and the need for inner transformation that only the Lord can perform.

Thus, if our leaders are going to change, it must come from the Lord.

Pray for your leaders - secular and church.

Studying this passage has frightened me because, as a leader, I know that these same seeds of injustice reside in my own heart.

I need the Lord in His grace to deliver me from my own selfishness.

Only God has the power to protect them from the corrupting influence that would appeal to our sinful desires.

2 “You who hate good and love evil, Who tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones,

How is the injustice of these leaders characterized?

“Hat[ing] good and lov[ing] evil”.

What an astounding statement to make!

Would you not be offended if someone said to you that you hate what is good and love what is evil?!

This is completely contrary to what we understand about how anyone in leadership is to act.

We want leaders who love good and hate evil.

Why is loving evil and hating good a temptation for anyone in leadership?

Because evil appeals to our sin nature and fleshly desires.

Does evil appeal only to the sin nature of those in leadership?

No.

Therefore, the temptation to hate good and love evil is something that’s common to all people that we all need to beware of.

This temptation points to the need to seek the Lord.

We need the Lord to develop in leaders and us all a love for what is truly good in God’s eyes.

We need the Lord to develop in leaders and us all a hatred for what is genuinely evil according to God’s Word.

“tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones 3 Who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones And chop them up as for the pot And as meat in a kettle.”

Setting aside the cannibalistic overtones, what, in its simplest sense, is being described here.

Meal preparation and then a feast.

Notice the actions referenced here.

“tear off”; “strip off their skin”; “break their bones”; “chop them up”.

Have you ever cleaned wild game?

There’s a certain sound made in the removal of flesh from the bone.

It’s actually because of recognizing that sound that I was able to realize that I had torn my distal tendon that connects my left bicep to my elbow in the summer of 16’.

In order to tear meat from the bone, there’s a certain amount of force that is involved.

Hence the idea communicated here is in the violence of the actions of the leaders against the people.

This could be violent physical actions.

It could also suggest harsh treatment, physically and verbally.

When preparing a meal or sitting down to consume a meal, what is your emotional attachment?

The desire to consume.

In other words, you don’t think about what the piece of food was before.

You have no relationship to what the food was before it was edible (mostly).

This helps us to understand how these leaders viewed their people.

They didn’t mind hurting them because all that they were going to do was use them for what they could get.

According to Micah 3:3, what is the relationship of the victims of these leaders to the Lord?

They are His people.

Thus, the injustice of the actions of these violent, selfish leaders is magnified!

They have committed these atrocities against God’s people.

What would we assume is God’s attitude towards His people?

He loves them.

In terms of the Church, Christ died and used His own blood to purchase the Church to Himself.

Therefore, God’s people are precious to Him.

Yet, these selfish leaders saw God’s people as little more than just the means to unjustly pursue their own selfish desires.

Is this a concern to this day?

Unfortunately, yes; to which I do not think that we need to ponder with too much effort to consider examples.

As you even think about those examples, I hope that the Lord immediately draws your heart to grieve over the fact such examples exist!

The question that we’re immediately confronted with is, “how do we combat this?” (let’s keep reading)

4 Then they will cry out to the Lord, But He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time Because they have practiced evil deeds.”

When we hear this phrase “cry out to the Lord”, we might be thinking in terms that these individuals are crying out to the Lord in dependence from their sinful ways, repentance.

In 1 Sam 7:9, Samuel the prophet cried out to the Lord and the Lord answered.

In Is 30:19, the prophet invites the people to cry out to the Lord and the Lord will answer.

However, there’s an interesting connection between this verse and 1 Sam 8:18.

In the other passage, Samuel the prophet predicts that the people will cry out to the Lord after getting what they wanted: a physical king.

In 1 Sam 8:18, after this warning, did the people still want a king?

Yes.

They got Saul.

How’d Saul turn out?

In our passage before us, what is referenced about these leaders’ activity?

“they have practiced evil deed”.

The idea is that, even though they cried out to the Lord, they did not stop their wicked behavior.

This is not real reliance on the Lord; this is not real repentance.

It’s a cry for deliverance from the pain associated with their sinful choices.

They don’t really want the Lord.

They only want the Lord’s deliverance so that they can be comfortable again and go right back to what they were doing.

Notice, how is the Lord characterized as responding to these leaders?

“He will hide His face from them.”

If you hide your face from someone, you are preventing the opportunity to have a relationship with that individual.

In other words, there’s a barrier between the Lord and these leaders: their wicked behavior.

This should not surprise the leaders because the Lord warned them about this before in Dt 31:17-18.

As we have considered these first 4 verses, we have seen how unjust leaders violently use people to satisfy their selfish desires.

We are prompted to pray for our leaders and ourselves that the Lord would transform their hearts to love good and hate evil.

We are prompted to pray for our leaders and ourselves that they would responsibly serve rather than selfishly use others.

We are warned against a false repentance that says I want to be comfortable but not that I really want the Lord.

We are encouraged to pursue genuine, humble repentance before the Lord when we have sinned.

Micah 3:5-8“5 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; When they have something to bite with their teeth, They cry, “Peace,” But against him who puts nothing in their mouths They declare holy war.

So far, we’ve seen the Lord condemn the leaders of His people for the injustices they have committed: selfishly using the people.

In this next set of verses, the Lord identifies another group who was tasked with serving the Lord’s people.

Who is it that the Lord specifically calls out here?

The prophets.

What is a prophet?

Someone Who the Lord has given His Word to proclaim so that all would live out God’s Word.

I want to suggest to you that, while we might not necessarily be able to identify with these prophets, there is something about them that we can identify with.

Consider the part of our definition “given”.

What do we call it when someone is given something?

A gift.

I want for us to think about this group in these terms.

The Lord has given them a gift.

So far, the Lord has addressed people who have a responsibility based on their position.

Now the Lord is addressing people who have a responsibility based on a gift that He has given them.

What does the Lord declare about these prophets?

They lead God’s people astray.

How tragic this is!

They have received the gift of God’s Word and are abusing that gift by leading people in a way other than that which pleases the Lord.

Notice the emphasis again on God’s people, just like with the leaders that we just considered.

Hopefully we’re all wondering, how is it that these prophets were leading God’s people astray?

The latter part of Micah 3:5 has the answer.

How is it that these prophets lead the people astray?

They treat the people unequally.

They give preference to those that give them something.

Here, the Lord is depicting someone eating something.

The implication is that these prophets have received food from someone.

Thus, the prophets beneficial response of “peace” is based, not on truth, but, instead, on having a full belly to whoever fills that cavernous void.

They wrathfully denounce those who do not give them anything.

What do we call someone who is driven by what it is that they can get from people?

Greedy.

Therefore, the injustice of these prophets is that they were abusing the gift of God’s revelation by treating people unequally in order to satisfy their greed.

Hence, we are prompted to consider about ourselves, what is our motivation in how we treat people?

Do we treat them fairly, regardless of what their perceived benefit is to us?

Or, do we view people based on how we have determined they benefit us?

When you’re greedy, you’re not satisfied with the Lord and His provision for your life.

Let’s pray that we would be satisfied in the Lord.

When we’re satisfied in the Lord, our view of people will change and we’ll see individuals that we can serve rather than trying to figure out how they can serve us.

6 Therefore it will be night for you—without vision, And darkness for you—without divination. The sun will go down on the prophets, And the day will become dark over them.

7 The seers will be ashamed And the diviners will be embarrassed. Indeed, they will all cover their mouths Because there is no answer from God.

What is being described between both of these verses?

These prophets will no longer be able to prophesy.

In other words, the Lord has removed their gift from them.

Why would the Lord remove their gift?

Because they abused it for their own greed.

Thus, like we’ve been considering on Wednesday nights with Samson in Judges, the Lord can remove the gifts that He gives to His people.

Also, Micah 3:7 emphasizes the result of the Lord removing His gift from these greedy prophets.

What is that result?

They will be full of shame and embarrassment.

We can understand how this would go.

When someone has lost their gift for something, often all that they have are the memories of when they were in their prime using that gift before it was gone or taken away.

For example, there was a time when I climbed a 20ft tire wall using only my arm strength.

However, since 2016, I can’t really do those things anymore given the injury I sustained to my left arm.

For someone who has had their gift removed, they only have the memories of what had been and the present reminder that their gift has been taken away because of their sin.

This reminds us that, with greed and all sin, there is shame and embarrassment that results.

Micah is going to transition in the next verse from his complete denouncement of the leaders and prophets to helping us understand what we do with position and the Lord’s gift.

8 On the other hand I am filled with power— With the Spirit of the Lord— And with justice and courage To make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin.

What does a phrase like “on the other hand” signify?

A contrast

What are the elements of this contrast between the selfish leaders, greedy prophets and Micah?

Filled with power

Filled with the Spirit of the Lord (Holy Spirit)

Filled with justice and courage

What is the purpose of this filling?

“To make know to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin.”

Here, Micah is denouncing the sin of the people.

Who was it that tasked Micah to do this?

The Lord.

What do we call it when we do something that the Lord has tasked us with doing?

Obedience, serving.

Therefore, we see that Micah is using his position and gift to serve the Lord.

Here we see what it is that we do with both position and the Lord’s gift!

We use position and the Lord’s gift to serve the Him!

This service is rendered to the Lord regardless of the task (difficult or otherwise; “make know to Israel their sin”).

Notice how the preceding phrases give us the motivation to serve the Lord with any position that we have employing the gifts that He gives.

Filled with power emphasizes the ready ability to be able to serve the Lord, or the effort.

The Spirit of the Lord, or the Holy Spirit, underscores that the Holy Spirit must equip us for this work.

When searching the phrase “filled … With the Spirit” I was able to find references in Ex 28; 31; 35 to how the Spirit specifically equipping individuals to craft the elements of the Tabernacle.

In other words, it was most often associated with the Lord’s equipping to creatively serve the Lord.

Therefore, when Micah indicates that he is filled with the Spirit of the Lord, he is referencing how the Lord has equipped him for the task ahead.

Hence, when the Lord gifts us for the tasks that He has called us to, we cannot take any credit for the gift but must give Him the credit, praise, and thanks since He is the One Who equips!

Justice refers to doing what is right.

Courage gives the idea of endurance and commitment to do what is right.

Let’s summarize what we do with position and the Lord’s gift.

We serve the Lord with any position that we have using the Lord’s gift.

We also have seen the reasons for serving the Lord in any position with His gifts.

God empowers for service, giving the effort needed.

God’s Spirit equips this service.

God gives the desire to do what is right (justice).

God gives the endurance to do what is right (courage).

Micah 3:9-12 9 Now hear this, heads of the house of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel, Who abhor justice And twist everything that is straight, 10 Who build Zion with bloodshed And Jerusalem with violent injustice.

When you hear a phrase like “Now hear this” what idea does this suggest?

Something new is going to be communicated.

You see, the first portion directed against the leaders and prophets addressed their sin.

This latter portion is going to address a topic related to their sin.

Who are the individuals addressed here?

The same leaders as before.

The idea implied here is that there is still no change in the leaders who were addressed before.

Therefore, what follows is totally justified as these leaders are unwilling to change in spite of being confronted with their selfishness and greed.

This frightens me.

It implies something about sin.

Sin is so blinding and deceptive that one does not see the need to change even when confronted with their sin.

What frightens me about this is that I’m capable of the same.

I believe that I’ve shared before that an administrator when I was in college referenced how in our hearts is the seed to commit every evil and sin.

While it’s impossible to commit every sin, we all still have the capability.

As I have studied this past week, my prayer has been that we would seek the Lord to expose sin in our hearts.

But not only that He would expose sin in our hearts but that we would also be humble about the sin He exposes.

Notice, how are these leaders described?

Abhor justice.

Doing what is right is disgusting to them.

Or they get pleasure out of doing what is wrong.

Twist what is straight - the idea being that instead of proclaiming what is true they twist and falsify to their own benefit.

Undertaking building projects at the expense of human welfare.

Or we could say they have no regard for the lives of those that serve their purposes.

This ends up devaluing human life to merely only what can be produced.

This further results in taking advantage of others.

11 Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the Lord saying, “Is not the Lord in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.”

Notice here that it is not only the leaders that the Lord brings under indictment.

Who also does the Lord identify here?

Priests and prophets.

How is it that every leader, both governmental and religious is described in their relation to the people?

They provide their services for personal profit.

Hence, what is being described here is their sole motivation for performing the respective services that they do.

Think about this, even if they have one good idea that ends up benefitting others it is still eclipsed by the fact that they are motivated by personal profit.

If someone is only motivated by what they can make off of others, what do we call that kind of person?

Greedy and Selfish.

These are greedy and selfish leaders, both governmental and religious.

Notice that contrast that is introduced in the latter part of Micah 3:11.

What does the word “yet” suggest?

Another contrast

what is the contrast being made here?

Between the greedy, selfish actions of the leaders and their words.

Hence, greed is incompatible with relying on the Lord

If their greedy, selfish actions do not match their religious words, what would we call them?

Hypocrites

In fact, these leaders are directing the people away from the Lord by suggesting that their actions do not impact the message that they proclaim.

You see, the leaders were saying one thing about their reliance on the Lord.

However, their actions indicated another story about their reliance on themselves for themselves instead.

What is the question that they ask?

“Is not the Lord in our midst?”

This rhetorical question is not pointing to their relationship with the Lord.

Instead, it’s pointing to their relationship with a building, specifically the Temple.

You see, the people had an idea that because God’s Temple was in existence everything was ok.

This idea is mostly a pagan idea that ends up limiting the reach of any particular deity to a certain location, if you recall our study from 2 Ki 5 and Naaman the Syrian.

The practical effect of this thinking was that they trusted in the existence of a building instead of the One for Whom the building existed.

Does this kind of thinking exist today?

You bet.

It might sound something like “well, lightning hasn’t struck yet, we must be ok!”

Thus, the existence of something is looked at as the approval of the same.

Hence, one believes that they are justified in their continued course of actions.

This further results in any heart needs being overlooked.

What did they believe was the consequence of the Temple’s continued existence and operation?

They would be spared from calamity.

They were actually proclaiming this to the people, further entrenching a false narrative as the Lord had indicted them for.

12 Therefore, on account of you Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, And the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest.”

Think about the imagery presented here.

Utter devastation.

This devastation occurred in 586BC through the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar when he destroyed the Temple, took captives of the royal family, and left the city of Jerusalem a waste.

The devastation referenced here gives us an important reminder about the nature of sin.

Sin utterly devastates lives.

Sin not only devastates the lives of those who committed the sins in question.

Sin also devastates the lives of those around the ones who committed the sin.

Sin’s consequences have a corporate effect.

Conclusion: Our sobering study today has reminded us that positions and gifts from the Lord are to be employed in serving the Lord instead of feeding one’s selfishness and greed. When selfishness and greed are overlooked because of a misperception of circumstances, judgment for sin results that not only affects the individuals but has an effect on others under their influence also. Our only hope in these and all circumstances is Jesus Christ Who, through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrections accomplishes the heart change that we need to being the process of transformation into serving the Lord in whatever position we have with the gifts that He has given. Let us humbly look to Him always instead of feeding our sinful desires.