Chapter 3

1 The cruelty of the princes. 5 The falsehood of the prophets. 8 The security of them both.

1. Heads of Jacob. Micah now denounces the injustice and oppression of the rulers and the false prophets.

Is it not for you? Surely these chief men of the state should have known what is just and right, and should have practiced it. However, as is so often the case, the possessors of power abused their authority. The more prominent a man is among his fellows, and the more important his work, the wider is the range of his influence. He may use that influence for good, or he may use his prominence and authority to encourage evil.

2. Who hate the good. See Amos 5:14, 15; John 3:20; Rom. 1:28–32.

Pluck off. Instead of being the shepherds of the flock to guide and protect the sheep, these leaders were butchers of the flock, living on them (see Eze. 34:2–6).

3. Eat the flesh. In this striking metaphorical fashion the prophet emphasizes the utterly selfish greed and rapaciousness of the rulers in their dealings with the common people (see Ps. 14:4; Amos 8:4).

4. He will not hear. When divine mercy is persistently rejected and the account is finally closed, it will be useless for men to plead for a removal of the judgments. Men have had their day of opportunity, and even if given another chance, would continue their willful course.

5. The prophets. In vs. 5–8 Micah denounces the sins of the false prophets, who deceived the people, and pronounces God’s judgment upon them. He shows that they thought only of themselves and of their living. In siding with the rich they closed their eyes to the social condition of the people. They did not attack the sins of the time.

Bite with their teeth. A comparison with the next clause suggests that the prophet may here be referring to eating. The expression would then signify that the prophets, when bribed with food, foretold the well-being of the people. However, because the word here translated “bite” (nashak) is always used elsewhere in the OT of the bite of a serpent (Gen. 49:17; Num. 21:6–9; Prov. 23:32; Eccl. 10:8, 11; Jer. 8:17), some think that the reference here is to the venom ejected by the false prophets when they prophesied, “Peace; and there was no peace” (Eze. 13:9, 10; cf. Jer. 8:11; 14:13, 14). Such spurious comfort only injected into the deceived soul the poison of disaster and death.

Into their mouths. These false prophets become hostile to those who do not bribe them.

6. Therefore night. These words of threatened calamity are addressed either to the false prophets or to the rulers. Micah informs them that in the time of their trouble no prophecy will come to guide them (see 1 Sam. 28:6; Lam. 2:9).

Go down. The day of judgment would reveal the falsity of the predictions of peace. The sun of their prosperity and influence would set.

7. Be ashamed. Because their predictions of peace had turned out to be deceptive.

Lips. Or, “mustache.” The covering was a sign of mourning and shame (see Lev. 13:45; Eze. 24:17, 22).

8. Full of power. In contrast with the false prophets who followed “their own spirit” (Eze. 13:3), Micah was directed “by the spirit of the Lord” (see 2 Sam. 23:2; 1 Peter 1:10, 11; 2 Peter 1:20, 21). We may analyze his threefold endowment thus: He was filled with (1) power so to proclaim the divine message that it fell with force upon the hearers (see Luke 1:17; Acts 1:8); (2) judgment and a knowledge of the justice and righteousness of God, that made his words right and fair; (3) might, and courage to deliver the divine communications against any and all opposition (see Isa. 50:7–9; Jer. 1:8, 17–19; 15:20; 2 Tim. 1:7). How opposite was Micah’s ministry from that of the self-appointed, deceitful, fawning, and timeserving false prophets, who called “evil good, and good evil” (Isa. 5:20).

9. Ye heads. Verses 9–12 briefly review the iniquity of the rulers, priests, and prophets and announce the coming destruction of Zion and its Temple. The prophet fearlessly condemns those who ought to be leaders in righteousness, for their rejection of “judgment” and their perversion of “all equity.” Those who should have been examples of purity, and the protectors and guardians of justice and fairness, were making a mockery of the laws of God and man.

10. With blood. Through extortion, rapaciousness, and judicial murders (see 1 Kings 21; Jer. 22:13–15; Amos 5:11).

11. For reward. Instead of dispensing impartial justice the judges accepted bribes for favorable decisions against the defenseless poor (see Isa. 1:23; Eze. 22:12), a practice strictly prohibited by the Law (see Ex. 23:8; Deut. 16:18–20).

For hire. The money-mad priests received gifts beyond their regular support (Num. 18:20–24) and doubtless provided instruction favorable to the generous inquirer. Thus these apostate priests corrupted their sacred office by making it a means of securing gain. Likewise the prophets, “for money,” provided suitable “revelations” for those willing to pay for them. They were afflicted with the spirit of Balaam, “who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15; cf. Jude 11).

They lean. While engaged in this wickedness the magistrates, priests, and false prophets claimed to be worshipers of Jehovah. Theirs was a formal religion that was satisfied to substitute external conformity for inner righteousness and truth. They deceived themselves into thinking that because they had the Temple of Jerusalem they had the guarantee of the divine presence and favor and a defense against harm (see Isa. 48:1, 2; Jer. 7:1–15).

12. Zion. Originally the name of the Jebusite stronghold (2 Chron. 5:2; cf. 2 Sam. 5:7), but later applied to the whole eastern ridge, and poetically to the entire city of Jerusalem (see on Ps. 48:2).

Plowed. Figurative of its total destruction. According to Jer. 26:17–19 the prophecy was given in the days of Hezekiah. The prediction was literally fulfilled in 586 b.c.

Heaps. Compare Neh. 2:17; 4:2; Jer. 9:11.

High places. Or, “wooded heights.” The once-thronged height of Moriah would become as desolate as the top of a mountain.

Ellen G. White comments

5    4T 185

9–11GC 26

10   GC 27

10, 11  PK 322

12   GC 27