The “separation of powers” is a constitutional principle that divides the United States government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Congress makes laws, the President enforces them, and the Supreme Court interprets them. The purpose is to keep any one branch from having too much power, thereby guarding against an oppressive government. But what if all three branches turn out to be corrupt? What if they are all working together to oppress the country’s citizens? Little could be done in a situation like that, short of overthrowing the whole government. Welcome to Micah 3. As the prophet enters the capital city of Jerusalem to bring the Word of God to the nation’s leaders, he is troubled by the rampant sin he observes. The courts, the palace, and the temple were all corrupt. No doubt there was also sin among the common classes throughout the land. But it was nothing compared to the evil being done by all three branches of Judah’s government, each of which was failing to promote “justice” (v 1, 8, 9). First Micah accuses the judges, by asking, “Is it not for you to know justice?” We expect a judge to know the law and interpret it fairly. We expect a court to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. Yet the magistrates of Micah’s day were crooked to the core. They may have known what the law said, but because of their depraved hearts, they hated good and loved evil. They promoted death instead of life. In fact, because of how they plundered the defenseless, Micah describes them as cannibals! They were feeding on the very ones they should have defended. So these unjust judges are going to be justly judged. The Chief Justice of the universe will sentence them to eternal death. On that day, “they will cry to the LORD,” as the defenseless had cried out to them. But it will be too late, for “He will hide His face” (v 1-4). Next, Micah talks about the prophets. They were doing lots of preaching, but their words were not true. They claimed to speak for God, but they were only leading people astray. Unlike Micah, the true prophet, they prophesied peace when there was no peace, and prosperity when the city was about to fall. It was not because they didn’t know better; they did it for monetary gain. So when destruction comes, and they cry out to God, He will be silent (v 5-8). Finally, Micah addresses the politicians. They were responsible to oversee the nation, creating and managing systems to ensure an orderly working of every governing body. But injustice was everywhere, from the civil to the religious authorities. So all will be overthrown, and God will bring true chaos (v 9-12). For further meditation: