The Prophets Who Lead My People Astray – Micah 3:1-8

Christianity Today recently published a podcast on the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.  It is a fascinating look at a megachurch whose leader exerted his authority, controlled the lives of his congregants, but had little to no accountability.  He is the kind of leader Micah is describing and who Micah faults. 

And I said:  Hear, you heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel!  Is it not for you to know justice?— 2 you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin from off my people and their flesh from off their bones, 3 who eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones in pieces and chop them up like meat in a pot, like flesh in a cauldron.  4 Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.

5 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.  6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination.  The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; 7 the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.  8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. (Micah 3:1-8)

The same leaders, the people of power whom Micah addressed in chapter 2, he now addresses again, and now he likens their mistreatment of their people to cannibalism.  Stealing their property and other injustices is like feeding off them.  And there is no doubt that judgment is coming for that, but that when it does come their pleas to Yahweh for help will go unheeded.

And the prophets are portrayed as those who prophesy what people want to hear as long as the people pay them.  For them, their trade will be unsuccessful because Yahweh will not speak to them.

Micah, on the other hand, is filled with the Spirit to prophesy in Yahweh’s name and power about the sin Jacob is committing.

Why are we surprised when we encounter leaders who serve themselves and do what they do only for personal gain?  This has been happening since time immemorial.  Israel was supposed to be an exception to this because of their covenant with Yahweh and their redemption by His hand.  But they did not keep covenant.  The downfall of any community or nation is failure of the whole to trust God for His provision (“Give us this day our daily bread”) and resorting to their own abilities and devices to take care of themselves. 

Who are you trusting?