Micah 3:1-6

Micah justifies the coming destruction

1 But I said: Hear, leaders of Jacob, rulers of the house of Israel! Isn't it your job to know justice?—
2 you who hate good and love evil, who tear the skin off them, and the flesh off their bones,
3 who devour the flesh of my people, tear off their skin, break their bones in pieces, and spread them out as if in a pot, like meat in a kettle.
4 Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he won't answer them. He will hide his face from them at that time, because of their evil deeds.
5 The LORD proclaims concerning the prophets, those who lead my people astray, those who chew with their teeth and then proclaim "Peace!" but stir up war against the one who puts nothing in their mouths:
6 Therefore, it will become night for you, without vision, only darkness without divination! The sun will set on the prophets; the day will be dark upon them.

Micah 3:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 3

In this chapter the prophet reproves and threatens both princes and prophets, first separately, and then conjunctly; first the heads and princes of the people, civil magistrates, for their ignorance of justice, and hatred of good, and love of evil, and for their oppression and cruelty; and they are threatened with distress when they should cry unto the Lord, and should not be heard by him, Mic 3:1-4; next the prophets are taken to task, for their voraciousness, avarice, and false prophesying; and are threatened with darkness, with want of vision, and of an answer from the Lord, and with shame and confusion, Mic 3:5-7; and the prophet being full of the Spirit and power of God, to declare the sins and transgressions of Jacob and Israel, Mic 3:8, very freely declaims against princes, priests, and prophets, all together; who, though guilty of very notorious crimes, yet were in great security, and promised themselves impunity, Mic 3:9-11; wherefore the city and temple of Jerusalem are threatened with an utter desolation, Mic 3:12.

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