After crying “Woe is
me” because he was like those who attempt to gather summer
fruits and grapes and find none to eat, Micah the prophet is in
anguish over the conditions of his day. Though he desired to find
those who would do good to one another, he found just the opposite
was true. In chapter seven and verse two of his prophesy, Micah
continues his lament over his people as he declares, “The good
man is perished” where we read:
they all lie in wait
for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
The verse begins, “The
good man is perished out of the earth: and there
is none upright among men:” Micah
began with, “the good man”
or “the faithful, kind, godly, holy, saint and pious man”
“is perished” which means “vanished, gone astray or
destroyed” “out of the earth” or “throughout the
territory or country”. He further declared, “and there is none
upright” which means “straight, correct, right, level,
pleasing, just, fitting, proper, correct and fitting” “among
men” which refers to “mankind or human beings”. We can
almost sense the anguish of Micah as he makes this conclusion
concerning others who surround him.
The
verse continues, “they all lie in wait for blood; they
hunt every man his brother with a net.” Rather
than finding a “good man”
in his quest, Micah found “they all lie in wait”
which literally means “a knot, to weave or intertwine” and refers
to those who conspire to “ambush and lurk” with cunning and
crafty snares against others “for blood” or
“bloodshed and slaughter”. Micah said, “they hunt”
or “seek to catch, ravage or kill” “every man”
or “the sum total of every male” “his brother”
which refers to “his kindred, relatives and those of the same
tribe” “with a net”
or “a perforated devise devoted or dedicated to catching
prey”. Not only were the people “not good” to one
another, but they were constantly seeking to take advantage of and
destroy one another as well.
When we think about Jesus'
words to “love one another”, we may find this verse in
great contrast to His command. Rather than seeking the good of those
around them, the men whom Micah saw were malicious, evil and
conspiring against one other. The interesting words within Micah's
declaration are “all” and “every”. From what
Micah saw, it wasn't just a few people who were attempting to take
advantage of their fellowman, but “all” and “every”
person was. Do we take advantage of others in this manner? Do we seek
to trap them, pillage them and conspire against them while seeking
our own advancement and position? Have we gleefully cheered as others
are removed from positions so that our advancement may be fulfilled?
If so, perhaps we too would not be found “the good man”
whom Micah desired to see. Let us allow the LORD Jesus to reveal any
way in us that seeks to “ambush” others, and may He put within us
a heart to love one another in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
Next
time Micah shares more of the deeds of these evil men, 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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