Lead Not With Power, But With Love
Scripture Passage: Micah 2:1-5 (NASB)
1 Woe to those who devise wrongdoing,
Who practice evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they do it,
Because it is in the power of their hands.
2 They covet fields, so they seize them;
And houses, so they take them.
They exploit a man and his house,
A person and his inheritance.
3 Therefore this is what the Lord says:
“Behold, I am planning against this family a catastrophe
From which you cannot remove your necks;
And you will not walk haughtily,
For it will be an evil time.
4 On that day they will take up against you a song of mocking
And utter a song of mourning and say,
‘We are completely destroyed!
He exchanges the share of my people;
How He removes it from me!
To the apostate He apportions our fields.’
5 Therefore you will have no one applying a measuring line
For you by lot in the assembly of the Lord.
SUMMARY
Micah warns the leaders who do evil acts for their own advantages. They scheme all night to seize the land and other properties that had belonged to farmers. These kinds of acts are not only violating God's command but the wicked behavior of leaders had a big impact on people who followed them. God's punishment is certainly more harsh for the leaders of Israelites than non-believers or non-followers.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
The book of Micah is so new to me that I needed to research further to understand this passage for me to meditate on. Why was land ownership so important during that time? I found that in the early days of the settlement in Israel, when land was being apportioned, some obviously did better than others. Land in the fertile valleys were more desirable than the land on the hillside. The leaders took advantage of that because they both had power and opportunity. As a result, small landowners lost out to big landowners. Better land meant better crops. The discovery of iron meant better tools which produced better harvests and better weapons. However, this created selfishness and corruption rather than bringing benefit to the whole community. The greedy leaders took the fields of weaker ones, and also took the women and the children for slaves. This was a big deal in Israel because first, these leaders were vesting commercial interests which were not set by God. Secondly, these sneaky leaders were lying awake at night scheming out their evil plans. They were seeking to outwit the little man of what little he had. People who are called to lead need to be true servants as Jesus mentioned. Being a leader is not only about empowering but is all about humbling oneself to be a true follower of Jesus who showed how to see the world - by loving your neighbors with all your heart.
APPLICATION
God consistently shows and trains me in many books - Acts, Deuteronomy and Micah. This year it has been how to be a leader, as my husband and I took on a new role to lead and become more involved in ministries at church. Leading a new group in this pandemic era where we have many limitations has definitely not been easy, but through these books and passages, I sense that God is watching what and how I am doing. He sees my intentions and actions. I need to be more awake and act according to God's words.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for speaking to me through Micah. Although I can be a physical leader to communities or groups, please remind me that it is You that we are ultimately following. I am weak and not good enough, but thank you for giving me an opportunity to serve you and communities through your love. I want to do my best to carry out my calling and allow my commitments to bear fruit for our community. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Please share your personal meditations on this Scripture passage with the HolyWave community in the comments section below. (We reserve the right to moderate comments.)