The sin of greed (v 1-2)

Micah points out that the essence of the people’s sin lies in greed. (1) Those committing the sin were the wealthy upper class (the leaders). The wealthy have a responsibility to help the weak, but instead of fulfilling that responsibility, they exploited the weak. Those who possess power are prone to corruption. As it is written, “They do it, because it is in the power of their hands.” (2) They do not commit sin accidentally. They devise detailed plans on their beds, and in the morning, they carry them out. Because they have power, they are able to commit acts of plunder while making them appear to be lawful actions. (3) The essence of their sin is greed. As it is written, “They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away. They exploit a man and his house, a person and his inheritance.” What should have remained as a family inheritance is plundered under the guise of legality. This is an act that violates the Law of Moses (ref. Levi. 25:8-55). To covet what belongs to one’s neighbor is sin (Ex. 20:17). (4) Isaiah says, “Woe to those who attach house to house and join field to field, until there is no more room, and you alone are a landowner in the midst of the land!” (5:8). Isaiah speaks of the situation in the city, while Micah speaks of the situation in the countryside. In other words, in that era, the sin of greed had spread throughout the entire nation, from the cities to the rural areas.

Judgement against the sin (v 3-5)

(1) The Lord, the Judge, pronounces the verdict: “Behold, I am planning against this family a catastrophe.” The word translated “catastrophe” is the Hebrew “ra’ah.” The meaning of this word is broad and can also mean “evil.” In other words, God says that He will respond to the people of Israel’s “moral evil” with “catastrophe” (there is a play on words here). (2) When God’s judgment (catastrophe) comes, they will no longer be able to walk about proudly as before. That disaster will be that the enemy comes and plunders their land. The land had originally been taken from the poor, but now it will be taken from them by the enemy. Those who lose their land to the enemy will lament, saying, “We are completely destroyed! He exchanges the share of my people; how He removes it from me! To the apostate He apportions our fields.” These words of lament will then be repeated by the enemy as words of mockery. (3) As a result, the inheritance of land to families, which was guaranteed by the Law of Moses, will no longer be carried out. The “measuring line” was used when dividing or allotting land for inheritance (ref. Joshua 18:8-10). Let us remember that judgment comes upon sin and learn to fear God. The verse that should guide the Christian life is this: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you” (Matt. 6:33).