Journey Through The Scriptures

A prophet such as Micah who had a powerful, and highly unpopular, message to deliver needed the fortifying power of God to speak out boldly. This was precisely what Micah claimed for himself (v. 8), as opposed to the false prophets around him. His oracle was addressed to all of Israel, for “Jacob” and “Israel” (v. 1) were synonyms for the entire nation. The injustices detailed in chapter 2 were being perpetrated by leaders whose hatred of good and love of evil was, of course, the complete opposite of what God required. With a true prophet’s unyielding indignation and commitment to speak the truth, Micah compared Israel’s treacherous leaders to hunters who killed and completely devoured their prey.

The prophets of Micah’s day did not fare any better under God’s searching gaze. These seers who were charged with delivering God’s message to His people were available for hire, with a word of peace to anyone who paid them well. Because they were unfaithful in discharging their calling, these false prophets would suffer the worst fate for one who claimed to receive messages from God: they would be plunged into darkness where they could see no visions. Micah continued to denounce evil practices such as bribery, and ended this portion of his prophetic oracle with a message of doom. As impossible as it may have seemed to the people of Jerusalem in his day, the city would be reduced to rubble and the great Temple of Solomon destroyed.