Back to Micah, which we introduced on Friday. Micah 2 opens with why God is judging Judah. Note that it’s not for lack of religious activity as in, “You people don’t go to church enough!” Religious activity isn’t mentioned. The sin is in how other people are treated:

Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance. (Micah 2.1, 2, NIV)

The consequence:

Therefore, the LORD says: “I am planning disaster against this people…” (Micah 2.3, NIV

As often happens, the solution is “shoot the messenger:”

“Do not prophesy,” their prophets say. “Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us.” (Micah 2.6, NIV)

Then Micah observes:

If a liar and deceiver comes and says, “I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,” that would be just the prophet for this people! (Micah 2.11, NIV)

We have no shortage of such “prophets” today. Some are seminary-trained men running for public office. Many of them touting their “religious heritage” while saying exactly the same things that others in their party are saying. Talarico in Texas and Hamilton in Kansas come to mind.

Sometimes there really is “nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1.9)