Micah prophesied the LORD's
judgment over the false prophets of Judah and Israel. Because they
were prone to base their prophecies upon whether a person “put
into their mouths”, the LORD told them darkness, no vision, no
divination nor answer from God would come to them. This judgment
would make them “ashamed” and “confounded” as
they were embarrassed before the people for their inability to
divine. In chapter three and verse eight of his prophecy, Micah
begins to show how he differed from these false prophets in “power”,
“judgment” and “might” where we read:
But truly I am full of
power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment,
and of might, to
declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
The
verse begins, “But truly I am full of power by the spirit
of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might,” Micah
began this verse with the word, “But”
which we have learned is a disassociation conjunction and means “in
contrast, however or in exception to”. The idea is that what is
about to be declared takes precedent over what has just been stated.
In this case Micah contrasted himself to the false prophets by
stating, “truly” or
“assuredly” “I am full” which
means “accomplished, completed or satisfied” “of
power” or “strength and
might”, not of himself, but “by the spirit of the
LORD”. Rather than being a
“power” found
within himself, Micah's source of “power”
was from the LORD's spirit, and not only “power”
but also “and of judgment” which
means “justice, right, rectitude, and due” “and of
might” or “strength, valor
or bravery”. Micah knew and declared that true “power,
judgment and might” come from
no other source than the Spirit of the LORD.
The verse goes on to say,
“to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his
sin.” Micah did not possess
the “power, judgment and might”
from the LORD's Spirit without reason. No, rather, he was to use
these traits “to declare”
or “to be conspicuous, tell, make known, announce, make public,
expound and proclaim” “unto Jacob his transgression”
or “rebellion” “and to Israel his sin” which
means “offense with its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or
expiation”. Rather than operating within his own power like the
false prophets, Micah would operate in the “Spirit of the LORD”
to show “Jacob”
and “Israel” their
“rebellion, guilt, penalty and punishment” as proclaimed by God
Almighty.
As
we think about these words of Micah, we see a definite contrast from
him and the false prophets who were making the people “err”
in their ways. Micah did not accept their bribes and gifts which
would pervert his judgment, but he operated with the LORD's Spirit
within him. Micah was bold, courageous, and willing to suffer any
consequences which might occur should the people reject and be
unfavorable to what he was declaring. Micah's purpose was to satisfy
the LORD and not men. He was given “power, might and
judgment” to carry out the
LORD's will and not his own, and obeying the LORD's commission to
proclaim the “transgression”
or “rebellion” of Jacob and the “sin” of
Israel was more important to him than how the people might respond or
react to him. Perhaps as we meditate upon these things we shall see
the need for more people who are filled with “the LORD's Spirit”,
who live in His “power, judgment, and might”
and are bold and courageous enough to declare the “transgressions”
and “sins” of
our people regardless of the personal sacrifice they may make for
doing so. May the LORD Jesus fill us with His Spirit and bless us
with His “power, judgment and might”.
Amen
Next
time Micah challenges Jacob and Israel to hear him,
so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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