No Light at the End of the Tunnel
From Micah’s standpoint the outlook is bleak. Those who are ‘on the make’ are unlikely to change and those in positions of responsibility (rulers, heads, princes and even village elders) unlikely to listen or break cover. Others, in a position to speak and with the capacity to achieve positive change for the benefit of the whole (ie justice) are silent and seem indifferent. Far from hearing the cries of the victims they even abuse the very people they are there to protect and then have the audacity to claim that God is on their side.
It was a time of rapid social change and transition. The old agrarian community which had kept them going for so long was breaking down with the beginning of the iron age. Rather like the industrial revolution in Europe or more recent changes from heavy industry to electronic technology, or from manufacturing to a service industry, massive adjustments were called for.
Micah, in the good prophetic tradition, is well aware that for those who believe in God no situation is entirely without hope, but right now there is little to hope for unless somebody does something. Everything seems to be falling apart. What has happened to the vision and the dream of their forebears (vv 6-7)?
Once, when they were slaves in Egypt and wanderers in the wilderness, they had a sense of unity. They knew where they were going and why. When they set up a king and a Court and a Temple they had noble dreams and high ambitions. But where has it all gone? Is it now too big for anyone to control? Are the surrounding nations, giants like Assyria, calling all the shots? Of course they have a standard of living now the like of which they never knew in those dim and distant days but it all seems out of control. Nobody can get a grip on it. It’s perfect for a few to do well and let the devil take the hindmost.
When there is nothing you can do it is time to be, so Micah simply makes it clear whose side he is on. He joins the voiceless. He shares their tears. (1: 8-9). Solidarity. He learns to see and feel from where they are. And that was a massive statement.