Bible Study - Micah 3:5-12 - 10-7-2009

In Micah 3:5-12, the prophet continues his indictment against the leaders of Israel, specifically against the corrupt prophets of Israel who gave prophecies of blessing to those who paid well and prophecies of doom to those who could not pay.  Additionally, the leaders gave judgment for a bribe and the priests taught only for money.  Again, we find Micah preaching against injustice, corruption, wicked rulers oppressing the poor, etc.

In our discussion this morning, we turned first to the news media and press, noting that with President Obama's trip to Copenhagen to support Chicago's bid for the Olympics, we heard a lot of talk about whether or not this was a good political strategy for him, but we didn't hear much talk about whether or not it was a good thing to do.  The reporting seemed to be about political posturing and folks angling situations for their own good.  We felt this reporting was lacking and that it somehow echoed the problems Micah was addressing.

Corruption of leaders has been with us for a long time:  in Micah's time, in Jesus' time, right now, and every time in between.  Looking with some charity, we noted that many corrupt leaders might at least be starting from a place of good.  By wanting to serve, by wanting to make positive changes in the world, leaders may end up doing bad things in order to try to bring about positive change. 

In the media, reporters are faced with the reality of needing to keep ratings high in order to keep their newspapers / shows in business.  In trying to do a good thing, continue to report the news, they feel they must make it entertaining to compete with other media.  In the effort to continue to be able to report the news, some sacrifices may be made to quality, balance, fairness, etc.  In short, bad things are done in order to bring about a good result. 

This happens in politics, media, religion, and really in leadership of any kind.  Think of politicians being influenced by special interest groups and lobbyists.  Most are likely trying to do the right thing, but efforts to do so are often corrupted by money and by the feeling of self-importance.  A politician may feel he needs to stay in office lest someone else lead in the wrong way.  We see this in party politics, where keeping the opposing party out of office (out of a genuine feeling that the opposing party is wrong), leads to corruption.  The feeling of self-importance, out of desire to do good, can lead to all of what Micah condemned.

Perhaps some of the leaders of Israel fell into similar traps.  As the saying goes, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

In addressing the unjust leaders of our times, we would do well to pray for them as Jesus taught, praying for our enemies, blessing those who curse us.  We would do well to pray that our leaders will resist the temptation to do the wrong thing for the right reasons.  We would do well to pray that our leaders might risk failure rather than give into temptation. 

Remember what is revealed about God through Micah's prophecies.  God is just.  God is merciful.  God will punish injustice and cruelty.  God wants us to treat each other well and to "rule" one another with kindness, with justice, with fairness, and with mercy.

Can we change the ways of corruption?  Can we prevent people from making bad decisions out of desires to do good?  On a large scale, we very likely cannot.  In individual's lives, we likely can.

To this last end, I was reminded of one of our parishioners who has spoken many times with me about his problems with college football.  I love college football, so his criticisms were hard for me to hear, but he had many good points regarding how much money goes to football, the lower academic standards to which football players are often held, and what those things says about the skewed values of many colleges.  This parishioner encouraged me, if I ever gave money to my alma matter, to include a letter addressing my problems with such practices, and to insist that the money only go to academics.

I raise this story as an example of how one man is trying to work against corruption.  In my estimation, he is fighting a losing battle, if not a lost battle.  The point is not, however, whether or not he will succeed in his efforts to bring about change.  He is continuing to fight the battle, and he is doing so in very positive way.  Rather than shouting his complaints from the proverbial hilltops, he is trying to influence individuals.  He has seen a problem in the world, and he is seeking to correct it.  He is being true to himself.  He is being true to his beliefs.  He is seeking to influence others, one person at a time.  He is doing what he can and leaving the rest up to God.

We will not be able to change the whole world.  Indeed, the whole world is not any of ours to change.  It is God's world to change.  While we are called to right wrongs where we see them, we must recognize our limitations in bringing about change and let go of any anxiety or despair that we cannot do more.

Ultimately, God will redeem the world.  He has already begun to do so in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  When Christ comes back, all will be made right.  Our hope in changing the world rests in that conviction, not in the power of our own hands.  We are called to do the right thing, even if it means risking failure, rather than go down the path toward corruption.  The rest, we leave to God.