Verses chosen for reflection
Micah 3:1-3
[1] And I said:
Hear, you heads of Jacob
and rulers of the house of Israel!
Is it not for you to know justice?—
[2] you who hate the good and love the evil,
who tear the skin from off my people
and their flesh from off their bones,
[3] who eat the flesh of my people,
and flay their skin from off them,
and break their bones in pieces
and chop them up like meat in a pot,
like flesh in a cauldron.
The prophet Micah was called to preach against the evils that Judah was doing. One of the evils concerned the leaders' complete disregard for justice. Instead of administering justice on behalf of those abused; these leaders were carrying out acts of injustice against the poor.
These leaders abused their God given authority and stripped those in need of everything like cannibals would. They stripped the poor of their land and obtained bribes from the powerful. They favoured the wealthy but treated the poor badly. Not only did they acted unjustly against the poor, they went against them violently. At the end of the day, the poor in the land were made to feel that it rather hopeless situation.
How did these leaders become so wicked and evil? How did they fail to administer justice and became the face of injustice themselves?
It certainly wasn't an overnight madness. It was a process of allowing power to corrupt and greed to pervade. Micah ministered at the height of Judah's wealth and military power.
Due to their constant lust after such wealth and power, the people and leaders had forgotten about God's commandments. They went against the commandments as they thought they were able to do whatever they liked. They felt invincible. They went against God's prophets and attempted to shut them up, as if doing so would prevent God from bringing true justice. Yet, the Lord knew all that they had done and brought judgement against their wicked ways.
The land we are staying on is a prosperous one. Like Judah, we might have the tendency to forget about God's calling in our lives. We might have the tendency to rely on our own strength and go about thinking that we are our own man. When we begin to do so, we will ignore the cries of those in need. We will not lay a finger or even inquire about those who struggle with their daily livelihood. We might become so full of ourselves and even abuse our authority and power against those who are considered "weak" in the society.
Hence, the importance of humility and graciousness even in the midst of material prosperity. The humility and graciousness to share our resources and care for those in need. The importance of knowing that God cares very much for the poor. The importance of being convicted that God is asking the believers not to only share our finances, but also our heart with them. This will be true justice for the poor. The kind of justice that Christians can bring into the world. The kind of holiness that is social for God wants us to truly love one another.
Rest
Lord, help us to be humble and gracious, even as You blessed us with much. Open up our eyes to those in need and help us not to pass them by. Give us the sense of true justice by caring for persons in need and praying that they will also come to know you, as Lord and Saviour. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jason
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