We see in vs one a certain people who "devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds!" "when morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hands." What I gather from these two verses is a picture of people who lay restless in bed with either a revengeful spirit or a spirit of hatred for their fellow man. When morning light comes they gather themselves up and proceed to act upon the thoughts of the previous night.
This brings us into vs. 2 where they "covet fields, take them by violence, and houses, and take them away." "They oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage." This outward action of hatred toward their fellow man tears apart one of God's greatest commandments. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself". Matthew 22:39
So what happens next?
Vs. 3-5 you start to see the "punishment of God" unfold. Vs. 3. Against this family do I devise and evil from which you shall not remove from your necks. Vs. 4 In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and vs. 5 Thout shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the Lord. During this time you see God bring to light in their eyes what they were doing to others. God starts to remove things out of their life stripping them down and eventually expelling them from the land in vs. 10
Brothers, how many times do we see people in life that react to others in hatred or anger? People who tear others down and if an opportunity arises "take what they have." How much more should we as REAL Men pray for guidance and strength to ready ourselves for these encounters. Let Gods light shine through us, so others can be guided out of the dark into the light. Away from these spirits as Micah wrote about. Be vigilant my brothers and let the Holy Ghost guide us through this world until we finally meet at the marriage supper of the lamb.
John Cottle
