Micah: Justice + MercyParaugs

Woe Is Me. 

By Gabriella Silva

“What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion. Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace, guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.” Micah 7:1–6 (NIV)

Imagine a farmer’s disappointment in gathering failed crops instead of the delectable fruit he anticipated for the season. In this passage, the prophet mourns over Israel, God’s chosen seed, because it produced a harvest unfit to consume. 

Rather than the good fruit God intended (justice, mercy, humility, and righteousness), Micah describes that Israel has borne wickedness and sin. The people are corrupt and dishonest, defiling even the most intimate human relationships. Simply put, godly people could not be found in the land where God had established them. God had blessed them and given them guidelines for how they should live. However, the people turned away from God and were living in sin. 

The days of Micah are not behind us. Like Israel, we live in a time marked by corruption, deceit, and unrighteousness. These things are present in our world, our nation, and sadly even the Church. The response to the widespread evil we see today is one we learn from Micah and the prophets. We must mourn over sin, turn to God for help, and point those in sin to God.

“Woe is me!” (Micah 7:1 NKJV) the prophet cries. Micah’s cry should be our own. Rather than growing numb to sin and injustice, as the people of God, we should be broken over the corruption and evil we see in the world and in the Church. Similar to Micah, the prophet Daniel also intercedes for his nation and cries to God for forgiveness (Daniel 9). 

Just as Micah and Daniel mourned in prayer, so should we look at the sin and injustice and take them to God. We should be compelled to pray and show others God’s truth because there will come a time, the day of the watchmen when God’s judgment will come upon the earth. The world’s current predicament ought to move our hearts and lead us to call upon the Lord to bring healing and forgiveness to people who desperately need it.

Our response to sin and godlessness should be action, not passivity. Let us be people who are grieved by injustice. Let us be a people who are not compromised by the corruption around us. May we turn to God, remembering His character—His patience, mercy, and love—and humble ourselves in prayer, petitioning over our nation and those who are lost in their sins. As people of God, we are called to abide in Him and bear fruit. May we produce a harvest fit for our King. 

Pause: What is your response to the evil you see in the world? 

Practice: Pray for our nation, for the world, and for unbelievers. Reflect on God’s character and His promise to bring justice to our broken world. 

Pray: Father, I confess I’ve grown accustomed to the evil and sin around me. Break my heart for this world, our nation, your Church, and those who are lost in their sins. God, forgive us for our sins. Holy Spirit, give Your people a new heart so we may love You and those around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.