Perverting All Equity

Micah 3:8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Incorporating equity within one’s judgment processes remains crucial at every level, whether concerning a nation, a community, a church, or a home. The book of Micah describes what happens when leaders pervert equity. Micah 3:11 declares that they “judge for reward,” “teach for hire,” and “divine for money.” One might assume this perversion of equity would immediately send a nation into destruction; but Micah 3:10 points out that they “build up Zion with blood.” No matter how successful and prosperous an individual or group may seem, in the end, the Lord will bring judgment. In this case, Zion shall “be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps” (Micah 3:12). When a nation, community, church, or family perverts equity, God brings judgment when He deems the time appropriate. Proverbs 14:34 clearly points out that “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Those who judge success through worldly means rather than by using biblical standards will fail to see God’s judgment coming until it becomes too late.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Your friend throws a ball and breaks a lamp in his house. He says he will give you five dollars if you tell his mother the dog knocked the lamp over and broke it. What would the Lord expect you to say to your friend?

• (For everyone): How do you feel when the leaders of your nation pervert equity? How do you think God feels when we pervert equity? How do you think your family feels when you pervert equity?

• How long will we continue to judge falsely before the Lord gains our attention? How many trials are we willing to bring upon ourselves because of a lack of balance in our judgment?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask God to open your eyes to the standards by which you judge.

• Ask God to help you to incorporate equity in every judgment you make.

SONG: Come, Let Our Souls Adore the Lord

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Equity