Passage Read: Micah 1-4
Meditation Verses: 3:9-12
Thought
It is because of the rulers, both political and spiritual, that Israel and Jerusalem will be overthrown. Whether king or prince or governor or priest or prophet, none are acting as the Lord commanded. They twist everything that was straight, whether common sense or the revelation of God and His instructions. They pervert truth so as to justify their wicked ways and the pursuit of their own pleasures and their oppression of the people under them. The priests only teach if they're given money, and they don't even teach the Word of God! The prophets prophesy for money, not by the Spirit of God. And yet they think they're safe; they think God will watch over them, protect them and bless them just because they speak His name over the people and offer sacrifices in His house or wherever they think is acceptable. God will show them that He cares about truth and justice by destroying all they've built and all they enjoy and by driving them out of the land. Everyone, all the people will suffer for the sins of their leaders--because they loved it that way.
Application
I need to know truth so that I can hold my leaders accountable. I need to know God's Word, so I know truth and how He wants me to live. I need to know truth so that as I lead, I can lead in God's truth. I don't want to love evil and so turn a blind eye to the sins of my leaders, whether governmental or religious. All need to be held accountable, which means I need to know what God expects, whether I am a leader or not. Their sins will affect me or my children or my descendants, and I let them by with it because I see where I can gain a benefit or two by the same behaviors. I can't put off my own obedience or be lazy about calling my leaders to righteousness, or just think I'm too busy to get involved.