Read Micah 3. As you read, identify the primary "who" that Micah speaks to. Also, notice the places where the word "justice" is used and what Micah says about it. Then come back ...
One reminder ... as we stop with the chapter break at the end of Chapter 3, we are stopping in the middle of a sermon. I don't know of any preacher who would like that! So just remember that we are pausing only ... not finished with the message.
Micah begins by addressing leadership - heads, rulers, prophets, priests. It could be easy for us to assume that the message does not apply to you and I ... just to the powerful and the influence-brokers. However, we must identify the spheres of influence that each of us have. If you are a wife or husband, a mom or dad in a home ... if you teach anywhere ... if you are in any organization where you play a part ... if you are a "boss" to anyone, you need to "listen". The message IS for us.
Two things stand out to me in this chapter.
First, I am touched by how important justice is to our God. The lack of it in Israel and Judah is primary evidence against these countries - a primary reason for the anger of God. The people are being stripped and crushed because of the lack of justice in the land. To understand a little of what God means when He talks about "justice", notice Deuteronomy 16: 18 - 20:
Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you,
and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a
bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Follow justice
and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God giving you."
Think about your family in this context. Moms and dads, how important it is to not show partiality among your children - whether young or adult. It has to do with justice. Each child is a gift from God ... the ones that are easier, and the ones that are more challenging ... the ones that do what you want and like, and the ones who do not. Ask God to show you if and where you are exhibiting any partiality within your own family - which is your "tribe".
Also, consider the issue of "bribes". Can manipulation be a bribe? It seems to me that when we manipulate spouses or children or friends or colleagues to get our way ... it is similar to working a bribe. It has to do with justice. It has to do with honesty. Ask God to show you if and where you are using manipulation as a tool to get your way instead of honest and fair communication.
It takes Godly wisdom to know when I am acting with justice and when I am not - because justice does not mean accepting wrong - Micah is very clear about that! When God speaks about justice ... it is always in the context of what is right, of righteousness.
The second thing that spoke to me from this chapter is verse 5. How like us! When we are personally full and satisfied we see nothing wrong. All is peace. All is fine. But let us get "hungry", let our personal lives not go according to plan, and we, too, begin to rail for holy war. It seems that the thought to look inside self never occurs to us. Well ... let us be different! Let us be ones who, when times of "hunger" come, ask God to enlighten us about the parts we play. Let us look to Him for clarification of lessons that need to be learned.
Before we push the pause button on Micah's sermon, I want to remind us of some words of Jesus. Jesus has just pronounced scathing "woe" upon the cities where He was performing miracles ... the woe was because of their unbelief. It is dire ... as dire as what we read in Micah 3. But right following the pronouncement of judgment, He says,
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
(Matthew 11: 28 - 30 NIV)In "The Message" translation, Peterson uses a phrase in translating these verses that I love - and I think we need to hear it today. He says, "Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace."
Oh Lord ... I do want to learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Help me ... help us ... so that we can see you as You really are. This day ... may we handle our affairs, our business, our family with justice ... Your justice.
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