#DailyDevotion Are You Listening To the LORD?
Micah 6 9 Listen, the LORD is calling the city. (It is good sense to respect His name, to obey the punishing rod and the One Who appointed it.)
In the parlance of my day, “Listen up Bucko!” Shema is the word for listen in Hebrew. When the LORD says to do it, you better open your ears and be prepared for action. Although the Hebrew here doesn’t have the shema until the secod sentence. The first is more “the voice of the LORD cries to the city.” He’s giving them a chance to repent. The LORD rarely sends disaster without previous warning. He doesn’t want to destroy everyone. He wants them to repent. The Church is here today, calling to the world to repent, and the world’s response is “don’t judge.” They, like the ancient people of Jerusalem don’t respect His name or obey His punishing rod. We should hear the call of the LORD Jesus Christ to respect His name, receive His discipline and turn from our sins to provide us every good to Him for every good.
10“Are there yet treasures of the wicked in the homes of the wicked and a short bushel that is cursed? 11Can I consider pure the man with dishonest scales, and a bag of false weights? 12Her rich men do many violent crimes; those who live there tell lies and have deceiving tongues in their mouths.
The LORD condemns the wealthy of Jerusalem for their unfair business practices. I’m sure the poor weren’t too far behind. The LORD had warned them in the Torah to use honest measuring devices i.e. scales, weights, and containers (can anyone find a true 2×4 today?). Yet they cut corners to make more profit and the people suffered because of it. On top of that, many of the rich were involved in violent crimes. Perhaps they had a protection racket going on. The non-rich are not getting off easy either. He condemns the inhabitants of Jerusalem for telling lies. I would guess the lies were to protect themselves from their wicked deeds or were lying as the wicked deed, bearing false witness of their neighbors in court to get their possessions. I think we can take heed from this to practice all our business with integrity and to keep the eighth commandment.
13Then I, too, will begin to strike you with heavy blows and lay you in ruins for your sins. 14You will eat and not be satisfied but be inwardly empty. You will put things away but won’t save them; and anything you save I will let the sword cut down. 15You will sow but not reap. You will crush olives but not rub yourself with oil; and trample grapes, but you will not drink the wine. 16You keep Omri’s rules and do everything Ahab’s family did and follow their advice. So I must make you a horrible example, a city whose inhabitants others hiss at, and you will be scorned as My people.”
The LORD’s punishment upon them will match their sins. The blessings the LORD promised if they were faithful in His instructions now become their curse as they are reversed. Do we use grace, mercy, kindness, steadfast love and forgiveness as an excuse to sin?
Ahab’s daughter married into the Davidic line. No doubt she brought her family’s idolatry into Jerusalem. Just as Samaria was destroyed for their idolatry so will Jerusalem be destroyed. What idols are we keeping in our hearts? What are we trusting for good instead of Jesus?
Merciful God and Father, give us Your Holy Spirit so we may listen, believe and live our lives according to Your holy will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.