Micah
2 reminds me of Robin Hood. It is ironic that this figure that stood
against a corrupt king and his ruthless sheriff has been
misrepresented into the opposite image today. The king used the law
to confiscate land, homes and produce in order to pay for his lavish
lifestyle. Robin Hood did not steal from the rich banker and
businessmen; he took back the money from the king’s tax collectors
and returned it to the working poor. In today’s chapter Micah
speaks God’s judgment on “those
who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds“.
Notice the similarity to the Sherriff of Nottingham, “At
morning’s light they carry it out
because it is in their power to
do it“. They do not break in
at night, they use the court system. “They
covet fields and seize them … They defraud people of their homes,
they rob them of their inheritance“.
This was the corrupt Northern Kingdom of Israel. It was to these
political leaders that the Lord rebukes, “I
am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save
yourselves… You will no longer walk proudly… In that day people
will ridicule you; they will taunt you“.
These rulers violated one of the basic promises of God that each
family would own a portion of the land to work and produce. But the
king “assigns our fields to
traitors“.
Micah next warns of false prophets that
first hush God’s truth, “Do
not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us“.
Instead they take advantage of God’s long suffering, “Does
the Lord become impatient?”
The spineless leaders twisted God’s patience into God’s approval.
God’s rebuttal is direct, “My
words do
good to the one whose ways are upright“.
When God’s standards are removed, there is no longer a clear right
and wrong. In this environment evil flourishes. He adds, “My
people have risen up like an enemy“.
The
chapter closes with the resulting lawlessness, “You
strip off the rich robe from those who pass by without a care… You
drive the women… from
their pleasant homes… You take away My blessing“.
God had seen enough and the plan was already in motion for the
nation to be removed from the Promised Land into captivity “because
it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy“.
Micah refers to the false prophets that only report good news as “a
liar and deceiver“; promising
“plenty of wine and beer“.
I have no doubt that Micah’s words were called hate speech by
those in control. Galatians 6:7-8 speaks to those that ridicule
God’s standards, “Do not be
deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever
sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;
whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal
life“. There is a final
reference to an event that will take place in the future. I believe
this is a picture of Christ the Good Shepherd, protecting His own
within the Sheepfold. “I will
surely bring together the remnant of Israel…
like sheep in a pen“.
John 10:10 reminds us that we have a choice to follow the Taker, or
the Giver, “The thief comes
only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the fullest“.
Jesus freely gives to all who ask. The chapter concludes, “The
One who breaks open the way will go up before them… the Lord at
their head“. Friend, are you
looking for salvation from the hand of man? That is a fable I cannot
accept.