Hearing but Not Listening

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When Leaders Love Darkness – Micah 3

Dear Friends, Micah 3 is a hard chapter. It is addressed first to the heads of Jacob and the rulers of the house of Israel — those who should have known justice. Instead the prophet asks a piercing question: “Is it not for you to know justice?” Then he describes what they actually do: they hate the good and love the evil. They tear the skin from the people and break their bones, as if they were butchers preparing a meal.

The priests and prophets are no better. They cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against anyone who does not put food in their mouths. They claim the Lord’s presence — “Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us” — while they take bribes, give oracles for money, and build Zion with blood.

The result is devastating. Because of this, Micah says, Zion shall be ploughed as a field, Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height. More immediately, God will hide His face from them. They will cry to the Lord, but He will not answer. The night will come upon the prophets and they will have no vision.

This is not only ancient history. Whenever those entrusted with care — whether in church, family or public life — use their position for themselves rather than for those they serve, they walk the same path. Whenever we prefer comfortable words to costly truth, or treat God’s presence as a guarantee rather than a holy calling, we risk the same spiritual darkness.

The chapter ends with a remnant of hope, but only after the warning has been heard. God still speaks through His Word. The question is whether we will listen before the night comes.


Pause & Pray: Ask the Lord to search your own heart for any place where you have loved comfort more than justice, or used spiritual language to excuse self-interest. Pray for those in leadership, that they would fear God more than they fear people. Thank Him that He still calls His people back before it is too late.

Verse to Remember: “Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.” (Micah 3:4 ESV)

Question to Consider: In what area of my life am I tempted to assume God’s blessing while ignoring His clear call to justice and truth?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church

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