|
By David R. Sincerbox|Published Date: February 02, 2012
Micah 2:8–9
8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy;
you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly
with no thought of war.
9 The women of my people you drive out
from their delightful houses;
from their young children
you take away my splendor forever.
The Story: “But lately” is literally “yesterday”. Micah now describes the effects of greed upon the powerless and vulnerable. The traveler who expects safe passage is stripped of his “rich robe” as if he were an enemy; the traveler himself has “no thought of war” whatsoever, but merely wants to be on his way. “The women of my people” seems likely to refer to widows. Unscrupulous manipulation by the schemers results in these vulnerable women being driven from their “delightful houses” resulting in their young children being deprived of their very spiritual lives. Without the security and shelter of a home, these children could not spend time growing in the faith and maturity, but rather, as street urchins, or perhaps even sold into slavery, they were condemned to cultivate mere survival, being deprived of the benefits of their birthright as children of the covenant.
The Structure: When one acts upon one’s covetousness, it not only violates the Tenth Commandment (Ex. 20:17, Dt. 5:21) which forbids coveting, much less acting on it, but it also violates the security and stability of families. Envy violates the holy character of God Himself through the desire to usurp things that have not been given to one by the Creator. Because of this, Paul states that coveting is idolatry (Col. 3:5).
Because of our special relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son, we, being in Christ, have a certain splendor that reflects the splendor of God who, according to Psalm 145:5, is clothed in splendor. Do you think of yourself as having splendor? The fact that we do and that it comes from God is a profound and humbling reality. According to Paul, we are being transformed from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18). How should this knowledge impact our lives?
For more insight to the prophet Micah, order the book, The Minor Prophets, Vol. 2: Micah-Malachi, by James Montgomery Boice, from our online store.
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
|
PRINT
RSS