Bible Study (9-30-2009) - Micah 3:1-4

These four verses are part of Micah's rebuke of Judah's leaders, their injustice, cruelty, and monstrous behavior.  Verses 2-3 could be largely metaphor (tearing flesh off bones), and these verses could also be pointing to some of the cult practices* under King Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16:1-4).  In any case, Micah promises that God's judgment will come upon those wicked rulers; "they will cry to the Lord, [and] he will not answer them."

* As an interesting side note, some of the cult practices of Ahaz may have been sacrificing humans to the god Molech (2 Kings 23:10).  This was done in the valley of Hennom, just outside Jerusalem  In Hebrew the valley of Hennom, "Ge-Hennom" is the name from which "Gehanna" comes, translated as "hell" in the NRSV (Mark 9:42-28).

Our discussion began with wondering how people could do such horrible things to each other as described in Micah 3:3.  We remembered then, how often such atrocities still occur (the Holocaust, the Spanish Inquisition, genocides in the Sudan, Cambodia, etc.).  We further thought about practices by some in authority which may metaphorically strip the flesh off people's bones (unjust laws, oppressive governments, even individuals who will lie, cheat, and steal to get their way).

What are we to do in the face of such atrocities?

Here are some of the thoughts we had:

• Atrocities have gone on a long time; it is helpful to remember that we are not alone.  The Lord is with us.
• Perhaps we, like the prophets, should stand up and speak to leaders/people to do the right thing.
• We shouldn't do evil to prevent evil.
• How can we declare others as sinful until we have first become perfect?
• God will take care of things - leave the justice and punishment to God.

There is never satisfaction from doing evil or from taking advantage of others.  Doing so only results in more hunger.  People who do evil and injustice are starving to death, continually seeking more of that which cannot satisfy.  They need Jesus, the living bread (John 6:48-51).

Regarding the ideas that we cannot judge until we become perfect ourselves (Matthew 7:1-5) and that God will judge and punish the wicked and evil-doer, we wondered if we still have a part to play in speaking out against evil and injustice.  We do.  Our challenge in not judging others is not that we should not speak out against evil and injustice, but that we should not (mistakenly) make ourselves righteous in doing so.

2 Timothy 2:22-25 tells us how we are to give correction and speak against things such as evil and injustice.  Rather than speak with vehemence and venom (even if we are correct), we are to correct one another with gentleness and patience.  By doing so, we might be able to see the other person more clearly and allow God's grace to work in the other and in us.  By attacking with the vim and vigor of our passions, on the other hand, we will likely only cause a fire to spread (James 3:1-10). 

Micah gave scathing rebuke to the leaders of Judah, and God gave him those words of judgment to speak.  Speaking out like Micah may feel good to us, but it may not be helpful.  We should speak out against evil and injustice, but we must take care when we do lest our words cause more harm than good.  We must also remember to lay aside some of our passion when we speak, thereby removing the log from our eyes so that we can see clearly.  Even the most terrible sinners are themselves hurt and broken children of God, in need of Jesus, the living bread, rather than their wicked deeds which only leave them with greater hunger.  We must do what we can to stop evil and injustice without doing evil ourselves.  The rest, we must leave to God.  He will bring about justice and righteous judgment to all.