This third chapter of Micah deals with the conduct of Israel's leaders (including the civil leaders and the prophets-religious leaders). In vv.1-4, Micah on behalf of the Lord says to the civil leaders, "You have allowed corruption to run unchecked among the people. You have allowed some to oppress others and have not stopped them. You think you have done something good for them, but you have allowed them to get far away from Me...so that when they cry to Me for help, I will not help them.
This is a particularly critical lesson for those who are leaders or influencers in the lives of others. By the leaders not leading the people toward righteousness they affirmed evil as appropriate. In doing so, they doomed the people under their charge because they assisted them in getting further and further away from their covenant relationship with God. God NEVER blesses sin and unholiness. Yet, the leaders (by refusing to denounce the unholy acts of the people) affirmed sin as "okay." Ultimately, the leaders led the people astray by not standing up for God.
in v.5, the charge is brought against the prophets who spoke on God's behalf. Micah states that they prophesied good for those who fed them and war against those who did not. Again, as has been the case in the previous chapters...blessing is equated to material prosperity. God's judgment against the prophets was to stop giving them revelations and not to answer their prayers (vv.6-7). God would shame them since they abused their office.
In v.8, Micah declares that he (on the other hand) is filled with power and speaks as a true prophet. This is to show the contrast between power and not having power, and to make clear that the problem with the lack of prophesy was not God...but the evil prophets in vv.5-7.
The New Testament affirms that the goal and objective of religious leaders is not to be material gain. God will always provide, but a man who, like the prophets in v. 5, who chooses to advance himself materially through ministry is not even qualified to be a minister.
The final statement of judgment for the chapter is in vv.9-12. Because of the evil leadership of the civil leaders and the evil exercising of ministry of the prophets, the people will suffer. There are consequences when evil runs unchecked. In v.12, the image presented is that the land will be overrun and destroyed by the oppressors coming (the Assyrians).
God's character will not allow Him to honor evil or bless unrighteousness. When those who have influence and the responsibility of leadership do not do their job, people suffer. It is the responsibility of leaders to do justice, love mercy, and lead people...not to become popular through compromise and softening God's standard. In the end, no matter how many times we say that the standard is softened, it is NOT. The standard is always the same, because God is always the same.
Proverbs 26:4-5 is the takeawy for me today. "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes."
Two principles are revealed here. It is "foolish" (ok, bad play on words) to try to answer a fool by his rules. Every foolish proposition carries with it some certain standards that make sense to the fool but do not make sense to the rest of us. Don't waste your time trying to package wisdom according to his standard. Many academic arguments run like this. If this is true, and this is true, then obviously this is true. Here is an example: "God is sovereign; God made man, God knew man would do evil; God did not stop him; God approves of evil." This is a fools argument (and many really smart guys make it). The wise man knows that God does not approve of evil. He hates it. So, say it!
That is principle 2. We are told not to answer the fool according to his rules (folly) but to answer him so he will not be self-deceived and self-condemned. There is no reason for a wise man to be hamstrung by the fools argument. Just say what is true. God hates evil. He loves man. He sovereignly chose to give man freewill. Man used his freewill to rebel. This does not make God responsible for rebellion...no matter what He "knew" at the time. It is not for the wise man to convince the fool according to the fool's rules; it is the wise man's role to call foolishness what it is, speak the truth, and move on to important things.
Be blessed.
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2 comments:
Given the exegesis of Micah and the two principles you extracted from Proverbs, what is the relationship between placing a stumbling block in the path of the weak and answering a fool according to his folly? What should a leader do when something that may cause someone to stumble comes from their belief in a lie?
Thanks.
Kamatu,
If I understand the question you pose, when we agree to play by the "fool's rules" we do nothing to help that person see the truth as it exists. We should speak truth. Doing so shouldn't be construed as placing a stumbling block...it should be seen as revealing truth. I think the idea the writer of Proverbs is communicating is not that we refuce to answer "the fool", but that we do it according to truth. That being said, whatever we do should be done with the purpose of redemption, restoration, and with the heart of grace. Therefore, our apporach is to listen and understand the "fool's" position, and then communicate contextually the truth so it may be received, understood, and applied.
Thanks for the comment.
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