Jonah 3
Micah 3 primarily deals with the wrongdoing of Israel’s leaders—those who hold power—and the judgment that will result from it. It is divided into three main parts. The first (verses 1–4) is a rebuke of the wickedness of the leaders. The second (verses 5–7) continues with a warning about false prophets. Finally, the third (verses 8–12) concludes with words about a true prophet and the coming judgment on Jerusalem.
1verseThe LORD’s word came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2verse“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”
3verseSo Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the LORD’s word. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey across.
4verseJonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried out, and said, “In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown!”
5verseThe people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from their greatest even to their least.
6verseThe news reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7verseHe made a proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, “Let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water;
8versebut let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and animal, and let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.
9verseWho knows whether God will not turn and relent, and turn away from his fierce anger, so that we might not perish?”
10verseGod saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. God relented of the disaster which he said he would do to them, and he didn’t do it.
The Responsibility of the Leaders and Judgment (Verses 1–4)
Micah rebukes Israel’s rulers and judges for not knowing God’s justice. They mistreat the people, trample on justice, and are indifferent to the suffering of the weak. God warns that He will not listen to the prayers of these evil leaders, and that He will not help them when they face trouble.
A Warning Against False Prophets (Verses 5–7)
False prophets seek only their own interests. When food is plentiful, they call for peace, but when it is against their interests, they proclaim war. God says that He will no longer reveal Himself to these false prophets, and that they will wander in darkness.
A True Prophet and the Destruction of the City (Verses 8–12)
Micah confesses that he is filled with the Spirit of God, and that he proclaims justice and God’s will with strength. He then prophesies that Jerusalem will become desolate because of the leaders, the prophets, and the priests’ injustice. In this way, Micah makes it clear that God will surely judge the power class and religious leaders who lack justice.
Meditation Points
- Reflect on the firm judgment against those who distort God’s justice.
- Let us consider that true spirituality is not outward authority, but truth and justice, and love for the weak.
Applying It to Me
- Let us reflect on whether we are acting justly even in the small responsibilities entrusted to us, and whether we might be distorting the truth for our own benefit.
- Let us examine whether our words and lives are close to the appearance of a true prophet before God, or whether there is the appearance of a false prophet who pursues the world’s interests.
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