Micah 2:1-3

God is always in control. Fear not.

We are living in these evil times because He meant it to be. We were made to spread the message of salvation and to do good. By our good works we show the love of God for all of His creation.

Let our light so shine that others are drawn to Jesus.

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”― Andre Gide

Autumn Leaves Every morning this week I found myself struggling to hold onto hope. I’ve struggled to hold onto my faith. I’ve struggled with my own anger, rage, despair, and helplessness. And yet, every time I turn on my TV, there is some story of someone who inspires me and lifts me up. Someone whose humanity takes my breath away.
Humanity—at its best and at its worst—is being played out in front of our very eyes. I believe that this moment is calling us all, no matter where we live, to be beacons of hope. To not lose faith. To carry on like the millions of Ukrainians who are walking for miles hoping to find. Marie Shriver

Micah 2:1.2.3.

2 Woe to those who devise iniquity, And work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand. 2 They covet fields and take them by violence, Also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, A man and his inheritance. 3 Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, against this family I am devising disaster, From which you cannot remove your necks; Nor shall you walk haughtily, For this is an evil time. The New King James Version

The Hebrew term is used here as a divine threat. In this form, the prophetic oracle is called a “woe pronouncement.” These wicked individuals lay on their beds at night thinking of evil plots. They cannot sleep because they are consumed with wickedness. The Hebrew word used here typically means “god”; however, when used of people it denotes strength or might. These evildoers were powerful, wealthy people with the ability to carry out their schemes and profit by them.

An example of poetic synonymous parallelism. Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry refers to those who commit iniquity. The image is that of an animal with a yoke placed on its shoulders that it cannot remove. The mistreatment of others has given these evildoers the impression that they are better than those upon whom they prey. Faithlife Study Bible

The ethical teaching of the prophets regularly included oracles of judgment against greed, theft, and oppression, actions of the powerful in attacking the weak. To covet is not just to have a passing thought; it is a determination to seize what is not one’s own. While the wicked devised iniquity, God made some plans of His own. The idea here is that the disaster of God would be inescapable. The NKJV Study Bible

Woe to the people that devise evil during the night, and rise early to carry it into execution! It is bad to do mischief on a sudden thought, much worse to do it with design and forethought. It is of great moment to improve and employ hours of retirement and solitude in a proper manner. If covetousness reigns in the heart, compassion is banished; and when the heart is thus engaged, violence and fraud commonly occupy the hands. The most haughty and secure in prosperity, are commonly most ready to despair in adversity. Woe to those from whom God turns away. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Jeremiah 8:3 Then death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of those who remain of this evil family, who remain in all the places where I have driven them,” says the LORD of hosts.

Hosea 7:6 They prepare their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait; their baker sleeps all night;In the morning it burns like a flaming fire.

Hosea 7:7 They are all hot, like an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings have fallen. None among them calls upon Me.

Amos 5:13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time.