World Changing Words Devotional-Day 45

MICAH 3:1-2, 9-10 | ¹ And I said: Listen, you heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel! Should you not know justice?— ² you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin off my people, and the flesh off their bones;

 ⁹ Hear this, you rulers of the house of Jacob and chiefs of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert all equity, ¹⁰ who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with wrong!

 Micah insists that rulers must be evaluated on how well they advance the interests and lives of their people. Jesus will take this a step further with his idea of greatness as service and sacrifice.
Ancient near-Eastern societies were hierarchical and potentates focused on enhancing their own glory, reputation and power. Micah accuses the political leadership of building Jerusalem on the blood of its citizens, that is to say by exploitation.

 Leaders always bear a heavy responsibility within the biblical perspective, since their decisions impact the lives and welfare of many others, who are all precious to God.

 Do you pray for leaders?

 Who is your favorite servant-leader?

Tags: service, sacrifice