He Will Hide His Face to Those Who Love Evil
Scripture Passage: Micah 3:1-4 (NASB)
1 And I said,
“Hear now, you leaders of Jacob
And rulers of the house of Israel:
Is it not for you to know justice?
2 You who hate good and love evil,
Who tear off their skin from them
And their flesh from their bones,
3 Who eat the flesh of my people,
Strip off their skin from them,
Smash their bones,
And chop them up as for the pot,
And as meat in a cauldron!”
4 Then they will cry out to the Lord,
But He will not answer them.
Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time
Because they have practiced evil deeds.
SUMMARY
Micah rebukes the leaders of Israel, who should “know justice” but instead love evil and hurt their own people. Micah tells the leaders that when they cry out to the Lord, God will not answer them but will “hide His face from them” because they practice evil deeds.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Micah is especially harsh in this passage towards the leaders of Israel because they not only do evil things but because they “love” evil. Micah accuses the leaders of wanting to do bad things. As a result, the leaders’ actions are especially despicable. Micah describes their actions in extreme terms – the leaders “eat the flesh of my people, strip off their skin from them, break their bones and chop them up as for the pot and as meat in a kettle.”
These terms might seem far from us. And yet, when we read about the world today, this is not so far off. Such things as Micah describes are literally happening in many countries around the world. Even in the United States, whatever your political views, we can agree that the events of the last month have been unprecedented and hurtful. Our country is more divided than ever, and violence and vitriol rule the headlines. People all over the country are letting their anger, rage and desires rule them instead of God’s word. In this time, Micah’s words are a reminder to the church. We are supposed to be spiritual leaders. It is the church’s role to model unity, love, and care to all. If we do not, God holds us responsible.
APPLICATION
These days, my soul feels as divided as our country. As the pandemic rages on, more and more I feel the desire to let go of God’s teaching and just do what I want. And as work piles up, I use that work as a convenient excuse to ignore God’s word. But Micah tells me bluntly that God looks at my turning away from Him as the ultimate sin. As so many QTs this year reminded me, my sin has harsh and extreme consequences, not just for me but for my family, my co-workers, my brothers and sisters in the church.
This Christmas time cannot come soon enough. I need to take the upcoming weeks to reset my heart, which right now is far from God. To read His Word, to pray and to beg God to let His healing and purifying light reach every corner of my mind and heart.
PRAYER
Lord, You show over and over again Your love for me. Even when I look away, You turn my eyes back toward You. You show me Your word and remind me of my need for You. Why You continue to love me and all of Your creation this way is such a mystery. I am just overwhelmed by Your love. Lord, change me. Fill me with the desire to do good. Help me not to love evil, apathy, anger. Help me instead to love You and to love my neighbor, my family, my co-workers, as I love myself. And help our country, Lord. Pierce us all with Your love. We know that only You and Your love can cure the strife, division, sickness and unhappiness that covers this country. We pray for your mercy and your blessing, that we can all experience true revival and a return to You at Christmas. We pray all this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
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