The Daily Office for October 10, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
In today's Old Testament reading, Micah is emboldened by the realization of the true source of his power and the nature of his mission. He now confronts the rulers, priests, and false prophets with their sins and warns them of the judgment to come. The rulers and princes have violated their sacred trust. They have made the nation great by making its citizens miserable, with the result that the nation is filled with sin instead of righteousness.
The proof of this is given in verse 11. Those to whom judgment is given perform the function of their office for personal gain. The priests taught to become wealthy, which was expressly forbidden by Moses. This in and of itself was evidence of the fact that they were false. The problem was that they divined, which is never used in a good sense in the Old Testament, instead of prophesying for Jehovah. The tragedy is that the activity of rulers, priests, and prophets alike was carried on under the guise of religious activity. They boasted of God's presence among them and their relationship to Him. They made the fatal mistake of mistaking God’s favor for favoritism. God’s judgment, though, is impartial and falls on all wrongdoers, whether they are rulers, priests, prophets, or whatever.
Collect for the Day
God our Saviour, who sent Paulinus to preach and to baptize, and so to build up your Church in this land: grant that, inspired by his example, we may tell all the world of your truth, that with him we may receive the reward you prepare for all your faithful servants; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.