Most of you have encountered people who are straight-up evil. They don’t have any redeeming qualities, and their words and actions produce strife for all those around them. It’s been that way since the beginning of time. Today’s passage should give you some comfort. God gives a warning to those who plot evil.
Micah 2:1
“Woe to those who scheme iniquity, Who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, For it is in the power of their hands.”
Calamity Coming
Micah is one of the minor prophets. His message isn’t less than the more well know prophets. He packs some powerful prophecy into his relatively small book. Here is this passage he sends out a warning to those who plot evil and comfort to those (read Israel) who are suffering from these scoundrels. He uses the term “Woe,” which loses some of its power in English but shouldn’t be overlooked. Woe means either pain or calamity, and here both could apply. Some severe consequences are coming for those who plot evil.
Hope for the Powerless
Often those who do evil are the ones in power and who have no fear of repercussions. They dream, scheme, and act upon their plans because they have the power. To the powerless, they feel helpless, but God speaks through Micah and tells us that He is watching and they will reap what they are sowing. God doesn’t let evil go unpunished even if it doesn’t happen when we think it should.
A Warning to Those Who Plot Evil
How do you go forward when justice is coming? You set your mind, not on the evil, but the things of heaven. We can get consumed with what others are doing and not focused on what God has given us. As a Christian, you have a full plate of work that Jesus has commanded. You need to share the Gospel, make disciples, read your Bible and love others. This should fill most of your day if you have a full-time job. Do these to the best of your abilities.