Micah 3:5-12 (NRSV)
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Verse 5Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry "Peace" when they have something to eat, but declare war against those who put nothing into their mouths. Verse 6Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without revelation. The sun shall go down upon the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; Verse 7the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.
Verse 8But 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 and to Israel his sin. Verse 9Hear this, you rulers of the house of Jacob and chiefs of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert all equity, Verse 10who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with wrong! Verse 11Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money; yet they lean upon the Lord and say, "Surely the Lord is with us! No harm shall come upon us." Verse 12Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
Devotion
Many of us seem overwhelmed by the multitude of words we hear every day! Are we selective about the people who speak those words? Micah calls out to the people around him, urging them to be aware and pay attention to the sources of the words they listen to. He writes that sometimes sources try to hide the intentions of the words that are written or spoken and suggests that they should ask questions about what really is asked of them. Are they being asked to do something for someone else to raise them up above others? Are they being asked to reach out in support of others? Are they being asked to push others out of their way? Are they speaking to acknowledge and give thanks for the gifts of others? What words will we speak in our conversations today? What words will we choose to hear today?
Prayer
Creator God, your words have created a world filled with life. Help us to listen to and share those words that give, inspire, and support life wherever our journey takes us! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.