Micah 3:1-12.  We need to remember some things as we read this section.  First Jacob is the name of a man who’s name was changed to Israel by God.  Israel had twelve sons.  The descendants of those twelve sons make up the nation of Israel (named after the father).  Solomon was the last king of the nation before it split into two kingdoms.  The Northern kingdom is often called Israel in the Bible.  The descendants of ten of the sons made up that kingdom.  The Southern Kingdom is usually called Judah in the Bible and the descendants of two of the sons made up that kingdom.  Judah is the name of the ancestor of the larger of the two “tribe” making up the southern kingdom.  Sometimes the Northern Kingdom is referred to using the name of one of the “tribes” that were a part of it, like Ephraim.  Samaria was a city which was one of the capitals of the Northern Kingdom.  Jerusalem was the capital of the original nation, the capital of the Southern Kingdom and ultimately will be the capital of the restored nation under the leadership of Jesus.  Sometimes the name Zion is used to refer to Jerusalem.  In today’s reading it appears that Micah is talking to the whole nation when he uses the names Jacob and Israel in verse 1 because in verses 10 and 12 he refers to Zion and Jerusalem.  Remember too that Micah was from the Southern Kingdom but that he was bringing a message to both kingdoms from God.

Verse 1 starts off with a question.  The question is basically an accusation, “Shouldn’t you know how to treat other’s right?”  From verses 2and 3 it is clear that they did not know how to treat each other right,  Although some people might like to think that Micah is using exaggerated language here to make his point there were times in Israel’s history when they resorted to cannibalism during a siege so it’s at least possible that these verses are literal (See 2 Kings 6 for an example).  It is more probable that Micah is making a comparison here to point out how evil the people had become, especially the political and religious leaders.

Verses 5-11 point out the evil actions of the spiritual and political leaders (Prophets and seers were spiritual leaders and Heads and rulers of house were political leaders).  According to these verses the people who were supposed to help the people understand and follow God would have no real understanding.  The were “kissing up” to those who would pay them and proclaiming disaster for those people who would not or could not give them something.  According to verse 12 Jerusalem would become a barren field, there would be no nation to be a leader of.  So the leaders are the focus of this statement of coming judgment and punishment from God.

Paul told the believers in the region of Galatia (Galatians 6:7) that you cannot fool God, he knows our actions and he will pay us back if we continue to do things which displease him; and God is very concerned how we treat others (see Matthew 22:34-40).  Two things that I think are important to keep in mind as we read this very serious section predicting judgment.  First notice that sin and disobedience creates a barrier in our relationship with God (Micah 3:4).  Second and maybe more important is that god doesn’t want that barrier between us and him.  The very words Micah spoke, warning the people, show us that God want us to turn from our evil ways and honor him with our lives.  From history we know that the Northern Kingdom was destroyed and scattered not to long after Micah gave them theses warnings.  About 150 years later the Southern Kingdom was taken captive, although they would return eventually just after the time of Jesus Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army.   But from other prophesies in the Bible we also know that one day God will restore both Israel and the kingdom.  In the mean time God is patient with us (his new people, Christians, the church) not wanting any to perish but all to turn back to him (2 Peter 3:9).  So we need to be practicing justice, treating others right; giving them a taste of the wonderful future that can have with Jesus.

God thank you for the privilege of being your representative ere on earth (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).  Let me be a good ambassador and help the world see and know you.  Help me do right by others and trust you for the outcome.  Be honored by my efforts.