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Daily Devotions

Micah

Micah 
Day 
Day 16

"Woe to those who devise iniquity"

Text: Micah 2:1

CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS

Micah did not labour alone as a prophet of the Lord. There were at least two other prophets who ministered about the same time, though not necessarily in the same area. These prophets were Isaiah and Hosea (cf. Isaiah 1:1; Hosea 1:1; Micah 1:1). It should not surprise us that there would be some overlap in the messages and even the words that were employed.

A SOLEMN WORD TO THE WICKED

Micah had to directly and solemnly address the wicked for their iniquities.

“Woe to those who devise iniquity,
And work out evil in their beds!
At morning light they practise it,
Because it is in the power of their hand.”
Micah 2:1

1. Pronouncement of “Woe”

a) It is a word of warning from the Lord.
b) The Lord knows what the wicked were up to.
c) Thus, a word of warning to the wicked was given, to cease and to desist.

2. “Those who devise iniquity”

a) “Iniquity” is more grievous in nature than “sin” or “transgression”.
b) “Sin” is omitting to do what is good and right.
c) “Transgression” is breaking the law of God.

3. Iniquity is deadly for the following reasons:

a) Iniquity is “devised”.
b) The perpetrator has worked out what evil he is planning to do.
c) He will mull over the wicked deeds “in their beds”.
d) Iniquity is:
i) Deliberate evil
ii) Pre-meditated sinning

4. “At morning light they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand”

a) The thought becomes the deed in the morning.
b) They utilize everything in their power to do whatever evil deed they pondered over in the night.

AN OBSERVATION MADE BY KING DAVID

David had made careful observation of his many enemies. The wicked were described thus:

“He devises wickedness on his bed”
Psalm 36:4a

The wicked are the same in any century. They devise wicked deeds on their bed.