People Risen as an Enemy Micah 2:8

The prophecy of Micah concerning Samaria and Jerusalem was not received by the evil doers of his day. They desired that he and the other prophets who revealed the shameful acts which were among them to be silenced. In response to their reaction, Micah posed three questions from the Lord to these who were of the “house of Jacob”: “is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly”? In chapter two and verse eight, Micah shares more of the wicked ways of the people to whom he directed these questions where we read:

Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: you pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.

The verse begins, “Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy:” It is interesting to note that Micah tells of the timing of these evil doers actions, “Even of late” which means “before, before that time, before the time, heretofore, of late, of old, these days, time(s) past, yesterday, formerly or recently” “my people” or “nation or kindred” “is risen up” which means “stand or raise up” “as an enemy” or “foe”. In other words, the recent wicked behavior exhibited by these evil doers was like an enemy had invaded them and brought damage to their people.

The verse continues, “you pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.” Micah gave an example of their “enemy” like behavior: “you pull off the robe” which means “to strip, invade, strip off, make a dash, raid, spread out” “the glory, magnificence, mantle or cloak” “with the garment” or “outer garment, wrapper or mantle” which would be both the inner and outer garments were stolen from their victims. Micah goes on to add from whom they steal these garments, “from them that pass” which means “to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over”“by securely” or “with security or safety”. “As men averse” which means “to return, turn back” “from war” or “battle” these wicked men would take advantage of their own people. The wicked among their own country-men would be so evil that they would take advantage of those who thought themselves secure while walking along and be treated as though enemies had conquered them and looted their belongings.

When we pause for a few moments and think about the evil ways of these wicked men, we may see examples of the same behavior today. Those who are evil workers within our own country are like enemies who take advantage of their own people. Looters, robbers, thieves and those who cause destruction are not unlike these of whom Micah spoke within Samaria and Jerusalem. Perhaps we are as grieved as Micah was in his day, and though there are some who speak out against this wickedness, often they are silenced. Our only hope is within the Lord God Almighty who ultimately inspired the words of Micah through the Holy Spirit, and it is to Him we should turn our thoughts and prayers as we are vexed by those who take advantage of others. May the Lord have mercy upon us and our country, and may He reward those who do these pernicious acts according to their works.

Next time Micah tells how the women and children were affected, 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.