Catholic Commentary on Micah 3

“But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.” (Micah 3:8)

Against the Leaders; Micah's Courage

Micah addresses the leaders and rulers of Israel: should you not embrace justice, you who hate good and love evil? You who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones, who eat my people's flesh, strip off their skin and break their bones in pieces. Then the contrast between the false prophets who lead people astray - they proclaim peace if given something to eat, but prepare to wage war if not given food to eat - and Micah's own authority: but as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble.

The Catechism identifies the prophetic boldness to declare transgression as the exercise of the Spirit of justice and might: the courage to name sin is a spiritual gift, not a personal character trait (CCC 1808).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, but as for me. The contrast with the false prophets is sharp: they prophesy for payment; Micah speaks from the Spirit. The but as for me is the line of integrity that separates the prophet from the professional. Somewhere in your community there is a line that requires a but as for me. When everyone else goes along, be the one who says but as for me and stands on the Spirit.

Prayer

Lord God, fill us with the Spirit of power, justice, and might to declare your word regardless of what the false prophets say. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3
Rulers and Prophets Condemned
1 Then I said:
 
“Hear now, O leaders of Jacob,
you rulers of the house of Israel.
Should you not know justice?
2 You hate good and love evil.
You tear the skin from my people
and strip the flesh from their bones.
3 You eat the flesh of my people
after stripping off their skin
and breaking their bones.
You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot,
like meat in a cauldron.”
 
4 Then they will cry out to the LORD,
but He will not answer them.
At that time He will hide His face from them
because of the evil they have done.
 
5 This is what the LORD says:
 
“As for the prophets
who lead My people astray,
who proclaim peace
while they chew with their teeth,
but declare war against one
who puts nothing in their mouths:
6 Therefore night will come over you without visions,
and darkness without divination.
The sun will set on these prophets,
and the daylight will turn black over them.
7 Then the seers will be ashamed
and the diviners will be disgraced.
They will all cover their mouths
because there is no answer from God.”
 
8 As for me, however, I am filled with power
by the Spirit of the LORD,
with justice and courage,
to declare to Jacob his transgression
and to Israel his sin.
 
9 Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob
and rulers of the house of Israel,
who despise justice
and pervert all that is right,
10 who build Zion with bloodshed
and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 Her leaders judge for a bribe,
her priests teach for a price,
and her prophets practice divination for money.
Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying,
“Is not the LORD among us?
No disaster can come upon us.”
12 Therefore, because of you,
Zion will be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,
and the temple mount a wooded ridge.

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