Micah 3:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Creator of all, who fashioned humanity ‘for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them’ (Eph. 2:10), also shows concern for those who wander off the path. Thus, He asks, ‘Is it not for you to understand judgment?’ Here, judgment refers to a fair and unbiased decision or condemnation that has been rendered regarding them. It is essential to grasp that understanding judgment goes beyond mere academic study; for one who has committed sins, what harm would it truly bring? Or what anguish could it inflict upon the wicked? However, this ‘understanding of judgment’ pertains to those who are habitual sinners, who, through experiencing the consequences of impending disasters, face the rightful retribution of their oppressors. Ultimately, they will recognize the true nature of authority vested in them and the greatness of the Lord's judgments. Therefore, He emphasizes the necessity for you, through the impending actions that are about to transpire, to comprehend judgment—you who are perennially drawn to evil and disregard what is good—those who launch a fierce and unrestrained assault on My endeavors, akin to the most savage of beasts—who strip sheep bare, savagely tearing their flesh and cooking it as though in pots. This imagery illustrates every form of greed, insatiability, and unchecked power. Since they have engaged in such deeds, they will cry out, but I will not extend my care to them; and had they called for mercy, I would have refrained from bestowing it. This is because they wronged their subordinates and employed all manner of cruel and deceitful tricks against them. This can undoubtedly be applied to the scribes and Pharisees, who, as the leaders of the people, ruled over the multitudes as if they were mere flocks, ruthlessly persecuting the believers in Christ, and like predators, dividing and consuming the saints without any semblance of compassion. Consequently, they heard the Lord's words through the prophet Isaiah, who proclaimed, ‘When you stretch out your hands ... to me, I will turn away my eyes ... from you. And if you multiply your prayers, I will not hear you: for your hands are full of blood’ (Isaiah 1:15).

As stated in the Septuagint, "And He shall say, Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob, and you rulers of the house of Israel." This statement connects to the preceding words, where it is noted that the Lord will be their leader, instructing them to listen. Rather than refer to them as "the remnant of the house of Israel," all but the Seventy render it as "the leaders of the house of Israel." The Lord, who has paved the way for His people and leads them as a shepherd, also guides the simpler folk, whom He identifies as His flock. He warns those who refuse to follow His leadership, who, consumed by pride, act as judges but do not walk in His ways. He calls out, "Hear, you heads of the house of Jacob, and you leaders of the house of Israel." What is it that He wishes them to comprehend? "It is not your place to know the truth, since you despise good and pursue evil," meaning they lack the worthiness to grasp God’s profound truth, which a depraved mind cannot fathom. How can you understand God’s truth when you reject goodness and chase after wickedness, despising the righteous while favoring the sinful and wealthy?

Reflecting further upon these words, if disliking good is already sinful, how much worse is it to hate it? Similarly, if failing to avoid evil is a vice, how grave a sin is it to actively seek it? The prophet then illustrates the harshness of the judges and their inhumane treatment of those beneath them. In the Septuagint, it reads, "Those who strip the skin from them and their flesh from their bones." They have consumed the flesh of my people, stripped them of their skin, shattered their bones, and piled their flesh as if it were food in a cauldron. They will cry out to the Lord, and He will not listen; He will turn His face away in their time of need, for they have acted wickedly in their evil pursuits. It is not enough for them to pillage the flock subjected to them; they further oppressed their bodies with cruel dominion, breaking their bones to dust, ensuring nothing remained intact. Indeed, just as they delivered My flock to the devil and his followers, robbing My people and stripping them of all their dignity and beauty, casting their bones and flesh into a boiling pot stirred by the king of Assyria, they too will find that on the Day of Vengeance, when they cry out to the Lord, He will not hear them, for they did not heed those who sought their help. They will reach out to the Lord, but He will turn His face away from them, as they have turned away from those who beseeched them. They will endure this loss for their abundant wickedness and desires: they were not rulers but tyrants, not leaders but ravenous lions, not instructors to their followers but predatory wolves to the sheep. They indulged themselves and grew fat, thereby preparing themselves as the most sumptuous sacrifice for the impending judgment of the Lord. Thus far, the words have been directed at the corrupt leaders. The subsequent passages, however, address the false prophets and deceitful teachers who mislead God's people with insincere flattery, falsely promising them insight into the Holy Scriptures.