B.     Rebukes against leaders, officials and false prophets’ sinful acts (3:1-12)

1.       The sins of leaders and officials (3:1-4)

 a.      (v1). The leaders and rulers are supposed to understand justice.

 b.      (v2-3). Not only have they treated the people unfairly, they detest goodness and embrace evilness. They suppress others and take away everything from them. Their cruelty never ends. They dare to do anything for wealth. Here the people are referred to as sheep. They are being swallowed by the shepherds who are supposed to protect them (cf. Ezek 34:2-4; Ps 14:4).

 c.      (v4). There will be a day of revenge coming down to the suppressors. And to those who pretend they didn't hear the cries of the poor, their prayers will not be heard by God in the time of trouble. The reason why prayers are not heard (Prov 21:13; Psa 66:18; Isa 1:15; Mk 11:25, 26; Jas 4:3; Zech 7:13).

2.       Discerning true and false prophets (3:5-8)

 a.      (v5). Those false prophets bless those who provide them food or money and curse those who do not provide them or support them. Do not peddle the word of God for profit (cf. 2 Cor 2:17; Phil 3:19).

 b.      (v6). “Darkness” represents that the heart is blind in darkness without the word of God (cf. Mt 6:23; Isa 29:10-12; 2 Pet 1-19). The result of false prophets’ deeds—God gives them no light in their heart, so they can’t see visions or revelations from God. It’s as if they have lost their abilities as prophets in darkness.

 c.      (v7). Since God refuses to listen to false prophets’ prayers, their prophecy will not come true. Their divination will fail and they will be ashamed. They will be speechless in front of the people and be in sorrow.

 d.      (v8). Micah shows evidence that he is a true prophet. Through the Holy Spirit, he is filled with power, justice, and might, and bravely declares to the people of Judah their transgression, and to Israel their sin.

3.       The sins of the leaders have brought desolation to the country (3:9-12)

 a.      (v9). Rebukes the leaders for hating justice and distorting all that is right

 b.      (v10). From the time of Uzziah to Hezekiah—about half a century—Jerusalem had major constructions. (cf. 2 Chr 26:9, 10; Isa 9:10). Although this is a symbol of superficial prosperity but many construction was extremely wasteful (Amos 3:15). Constructions were built by forced labor.

 c.      (v11). Judges, priests and prophets are not working for God but for profit. Everything they do is for profit. They lie to themselves, thinking they are sacrificing for God. The temple still exists, so they think God is still with them and everything is fine (Jer 7:4, 12-15). They have the form of godliness but denying its power (2 Tim 3:5).

 d.      (v12). For their sins, God will send disaster upon Jerusalem. It will become a heap of rubbles, and the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets (The latter part was quoted in Jer 26:18).