DISCERNING DARKNESS 

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible…. 

Micah 3:5-6, 9-11  ESV

⁵ Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray,
who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat,
but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.
⁶ Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination.
The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; 

⁹ Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel,
who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight,
¹⁰ who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.
¹¹ Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price;
its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the Lord and say,
“Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.” 

I recently celebrated my 76^th birthday.  Many thanks for the cards and kind thoughts.  I have had to realize I am one of the old men.  It is usual for one who is old to think that during his life experience all that matters has happened.  But that is not so. 

I remember sitting with my grandfather when I was six years old as he talked with the old men of that time.  This was 1942.  The depression was over and the Great War was on the horizon.  Texas was still primitive and naïve.  But these men, for the most part Christian, prized honesty.  They spoke the truth.  They expected to hear it.  The preaching of that day was different from that which prevails in 2012.  The transition from 1942 to 2012 has given me a perspective by which to understand our time.

Micah in the text for today is a headline for our preachers and politicians.  And in the midst of it Micah says, “⁶ Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination.  The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them;”.  How shall we know we are in this darkness?  Micah gives us two sure signs. 

1.  The message and character of the prophets are a sure indication of darkness.  The ministry is a profession.  In VS 9, their message is determined by their reward.  If they are well fed they “cry peace”.  And when they are not paid well there is disaster declared. 

Woe be to the church in which the ministry is only a profession.  The result of this will always be a message tuned to earn the highest reward.  We have huge churches, national radio and television ministries, and of course the never ending production of “how to” books.  The mega-churches are supposed to be the standard of success.  The radio and television stars continue with a newer demand for money.  Then there are the authors of books and study guides and sequels.  You see my point.  Follow the money trail. 

There is nothing sacred in being poor.  The laborer is worthy of his pay.  Preachers deserve adequate support as much as anyone.  The old saying “Lord you keep him humble, we’ll keep him poor” has no virtue.  But the gospel ministry is never to be a profession. 

2.  In VSS 9-10 the second cause of darkness is described.  Political offices are for sale.  In my present day experience I know of no one who expects honesty from any politician without regard to party.  They are all for sale.  It is just some are more expensive.

This is an election year.  Should conservatives gain both house of congress and the presidency will we see our “social” agenda get any attention?  I doubt it.  What has burdened the conservative constituency?  What has drawn the greatest interest and given any probability of the sweep mentioned?  The financial crisis has done it.  I must say the word “crisis” is not an exaggeration.  But any historical perspective must admit President Obama did not get us here without a herculean effort by former President Bush.

As a conclusion in VS 11, Micah looks to the trough at which politician, priest, and prophet are lined up for their dole.  His conclusion is that the dark day of judgment is a certain result of their greed and sell-out.

It would be wrong to leave this significant passage on this note.  Look at the light in this darkness, VS 8  But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord,
and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

God will not leave this His church without a true witness.  Again look at the message that marks this witness, “to declare transgression and sin”.  The church is never hurt by the Biblical preaching of sin, repentance, and faith.