As we completed our study in
the second chapter of the prophecy of Micah, we saw the words of the
Lord concerning gathering and assembling Israel and Judah together
again with the “breaker” coming through to lead the way
for them to return to His care once again. Although there was
apostasy and transgressions within Samaria and Jerusalem and the
people within these places would be judged for them accordingly,
still the Lord's promise of mercy was given to them. In chapter three
and verse one, Micah the prophet asks the heads and princes of Jacob
and Israel a question concerning “judgment” where were
read:
And I said, Hear, I
pray you, O heads of Jacob, and you princes of the house of Israel;
Is it not for
you to know judgment?
The
verse begins, “And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of
Jacob, and you princes of the house of Israel;”
Let us notice that this verse begins with the word “And”
which serves to remind us that originally the chapters and verses of
the Bible were not in place as they are now. They serve to aid us in
locating certain scriptures for reference, but originally the
writings were a continuation of words written by the authors. Micah
wrote, “And I said”
which means to “say, utter or speak” “Hear” or
“listen, pay attention to, take interest in and obey” “I
pray you, O heads” which
refers to the “top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, or
height” or the leadership “of Jacob”or
“supplanter”, “and you princes”
or “chief, ruler, and commander” “of the house of
Israel” or “dwelling place
or habitation of the governed by God”. In other words, Micah
focuses his attention upon the leadership of Jacob and Israel as he
begins this next section of his prophecy.
The
verse continues, “Is it not for you to
know judgment?” Micah posed a
rhetorical question to the leadership within Jacob and Israel, “Is
it not for you to know” or “to
recognize, acknowledge, and be acquainted with” “judgment”
which means “justice, right,
rectitude and ordinance”. Those who were leaders and rulers of
Jacob and Israel would be familiar with judgment because they carried
out judgment all the time. It is to these rulers Micah directs his
words.
We are
left in the middle of a thought as we leave this verse in Micah,
however, we may ponder the idea that Micah is addressing the
leadership within these countries first. Those who rule over others
should have the primary responsibility to know the consequences for
the wickedness which occurs among their people. In this instance, the
Lord uses Micah to speak to the rulers of these countries, and we
might think about what He would say to the leadership in our
countries today?
Next
time Micah tells the people how they love evil and hate good,
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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