As the LORD
Jehovah continued to speak to the people of Samaria and Jerusalem
through the prophet Micah, He singled out the wicked “rich men”
who had become wealthy by using “wicked balances” and
“bags of deceitful weights” to
take advantage of people. The LORD's question to them was, “Shall
I count them pure?”, and
though they thought they were escaping judgment for their actions,
the LORD was watching them all the time. The LORD said He would make
them “sick in smiting”
them and make them “desolate because of”
their “sins”. In
chapter six and verse fourteen of his prophesy, Micah continues
recording the judgment that will fall upon these evildoers where we
read:
You
shall eat, but not be satisfied; and your casting down shall
be in the midst of you; and you shall take
hold, but shall not deliver; and that
which you deliver will I give up to the sword.
The
verse begins, “You shall eat, but not
be satisfied; and your casting down shall
be in the midst of you;” In
addition to the LORD making these wicked “rich
men” “sick”
and “desolate”,
the LORD adds, “You shall eat”
which literally means to “devour or consume” “but
not be satisfied”
or “sated, fulfilled or surfeited”. In
other words, no matter how much these men attempted to be satisfied
with their consumption of riches, they never would be. The LORD
added, “and your casting down”
which means “sinking feeling, emptiness and hunger” “shall
be in the midst of you” or “in the inner
part, middle or entrails of you”. Though they would attempt to
satisfy their continual hunger within, they would never find true
fulfillment, and this emptiness would continue to be within them.
The
verse goes on to say, “and you shall
take hold, but shall not deliver; and that
which you deliver will I give up to the sword.” Not
only would there be lack of satisfaction and emptiness within these
men, but the LORD added, “and you
shall take hold”
or “backslide, move or carry back” “but
shall not deliver”
which means “escape, save, deliver, slip
away or bring into security”. The idea is whenever these men are
overtaken by their enemy, they will attempt to “take
hold” of their families and riches, but
they will not be able to save them. The LORD added, “and
that which you deliver” or “move or carry
back” “will I give up” which
means “bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate
and dedicate” “to the sword”
or “knife”. In other words, though these “rich
men” may escape with some of their family
and riches, even those will the LORD allow to be destroyed.
As we think
through these words of the LORD through Micah, this may seem to be a
great punishment for these “rich men's” actions. Can we imagine
the LORD being against us in such measure? The severity of the
promise of destruction from the LORD would seem to be enough to deter
anyone from wanting to be these evil “rich men”, however,
many live by their wicked ways today. While we are in this world we
have an opportunity to know Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior, and
when we know Him, He becomes greater riches than anything this world
could provide. It is such a shame that many people choose temporary
riches over an eternal relationship with Jesus, and though these
morsels of wealth may appease for a time, they will never truly
satisfy. True satisfaction and fulfillment both inwardly and
outwardly is found in Jesus Christ, and those who are wise will seek
Him. Life without Jesus Christ is empty, unfulfilling and in constant
need of something new to fulfill what lingers inside. May we learn
what it means to have “true riches” and not be persuaded
by the desire for temporary things.
Next
time the LORD shares more ways the rich men will suffer for their
wickedness,
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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