Michée 3

1 Et je dis: Écoutez, chefs de Jacob, et vous, conducteurs de la maison d'Israël! N'est-ce pas à vous de connaître le droit?

2 Vous qui haïssez le bien et qui aimez le mal, qui leur arrachez la peau et la chair de dessus les os!

3 Ils dévorent la chair de mon peuple, lui enlèvent la peau, et lui brisent les os, et les mettent en pièces comme pour la marmite, et comme de la chair dans une chaudière.

4 Alors ils crieront à l'Éternel, mais il ne leur répondra pas; il leur cachera sa face en ce temps-là, parce que leurs actions ont été mauvaises.

5 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel contre les prophètes qui égarent mon peuple, qui publient la paix quand leurs dents ont de quoi mordre, et qui préparent la guerre contre celui qui ne leur met rien dans la bouche.

6 C'est pourquoi, au lieu de vision vous aurez la nuit, au lieu de divination les ténèbres; le soleil se couchera sur les prophètes, et le jour s'obscurcira sur eux.

7 Les voyants seront confus, et les devins rougiront de honte; tous se couvriront la barbe, car il n'y aura point de réponse de Dieu.

8 Mais moi, je suis rempli de force, de l'Esprit de l'Éternel, de jugement et de courage, pour déclarer à Jacob son crime et à Israël son péché.

9 Écoutez ceci, chefs de la maison de Jacob, et vous, conducteurs de la maison d'Israël, qui avez la justice en abomination, et qui pervertissez tout ce qui est droit:

10 On bâtit Sion avec le sang, et Jérusalem avec l'iniquité!

11 Ses chefs jugent pour des présents, ses sacrificateurs enseignent pour un salaire, et ses prophètes prédisent pour de l'argent; et ils s'appuient sur l'Éternel, disant: "L'Éternel n'est-il pas parmi nous? Le mal ne viendra pas sur nous! "

12 C'est pourquoi, à cause de vous, Sion sera labourée comme un champ, Jérusalem sera changée en un monceau de ruines, et la montagne du temple en une haute forêt.

Michée 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

The cruelty of the princes, and the falsehood of the prophets. (1-8) Their false security. (9-12)

Verses 1-8 Men cannot expect to do ill, and fare well; but to find that done to them which they did to others. How seldom do wholesome truths reach the ears of those in high stations or in authority! Those who deceive others are preparing confusion for their own faces. The prophet had ardent love to God and to the souls of men; deep concern for his glory and their salvation, and zeal against sin. The difficulties he met with did not drive him from his work. He had this strength; not from and of himself, but he was full of power by the Spirit of the Lord. Those who act honestly, may act boldly. And those who come to hear the word of God, must be willing to be told of their faults, must take it kindly, and be thankful.

Verses 9-12 Zion's walls owe no thanks to those that build them up with blood and iniquity. The sin of man works not the righteousness of God. Even when men do that which in itself is good, but do it for filthy lucre, it becomes abomination both to God and man. Faith rests in the Lord as the soul's foundation: presumption only leans upon the Lord as a prop, and would use him to serve a turn. If men's having the Lord among them will not keep them from doing evil, it never can secure them from suffering evil for so doing. See the doom of wicked Jacob; Therefore shall Zion for your sake be ploughed as a field. This was exactly fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and is so at this day. If sacred places are polluted by sin, they will be wasted and ruined by the judgments of God.

Chapter Summary

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.