Micah 2:1

“Woe to them that devise iniquity, etc.] Any kind of iniquity; idolatry, or worshipping of idols, for the word is used sometimes for an idol; or the sin of uncleanness, on which the thoughts too often dwell in the night season; or coveting of neighbours’ goods, and oppressing the poor; sins which are instanced in (<330202>Micah 2:2); and every thing that is vain, foolish, and wicked, and in the issue brings trouble and distress: now a woe is denounced against such that think on such things, and please themselves with them in their imaginations, and contrive ways and means to commit them: and work evil upon their beds; when, the senses being less engaged, the thoughts are more free; but should…”

“DENUNCIATION OF THE EVILS PREVALENT: THE PEOPLE'S UNWILLINGNESS TO HEAR THE TRUTH: THEIR EXPULSION FROM THE LAND THE FITTING FRUIT OF THEIR SIN: YET JUDAH AND ISRAEL ARE HEREAFTER TO BE RESTORED. (Mic 2:1-13) devise . . . work . . . practise--They do evil not merely on a sudden impulse, but with deliberate design. As in the former chapter sins against the first table are reproved, so in this chapter sins against the second table. A gradation: "devise" is the conception of the evil purpose; "work" (Psa 58:2), or "fabricate," the maturing of the scheme; "practise," or "effect," the execution of it. because it is in the power of their hand--for the phrase see Gen 31:29; Pro 3:27. Might, not…”

“The prophet had declared that evil should come down on Samaria and Jerusalem for their sins. He had pronounced them sinners against God; he now speaks of their hard unlovingness toward man, as our Blessed Lord in the Gospel speaks of sins against Himself in His members, as the ground of the condemnation of the wicked. The time of warning is past. He speaks as in the person of the Judge, declaring the righteous judgments of God, pronouncing sentence on the hardened, but blessing on those who follow Christ. The sins thus visited were done with a high hand; first, with forethought: Woe - All woe, woe from God ; “the woe of temporal captivity; and, unless ye repent, the woe of eternal damnation,…”

“That devise - Contrive and frame mischief. Evil work - Contrive how to work it. It is in the power - Because they can; without regarding right or wrong. Micah 2:2”

“2:1-2 Power had corrupted the wealthy, who should have been ready to help their fellow Israelites (cp. Gen 4:9; Josh 1:14). • Thinking up evil plans . . . because you have the power to do so indicates a corrupt heart, mind, and character (Gen 6:5). • When you want: They possessed the property of others in a way that amounted to stealing and broke God’s law that forbids coveting (Exod 20:17). A family’s inheritance was a sacred gift from the Lord, intended as a permanent possession (Lev 25:8-55; cp. 1 Kgs 21; Isa 5:8). God looked for righteousness among his people, but instead he found oppression (1 Kgs 10:9; Isa 5:7; 2 Pet 2:13).”

“Cir, am 3274, bc 730 to: Est 3:8, Est 5:14, Est 9:25; Psa 7:14-16, Psa 140:1-8; Pro 6:12-19, Pro 12:2; Isa 32:7; Isa 59:3; Jer 18:18; Eze 11:2; Nah 1:11; Luk 20:19, Luk 22:2-6; Act 23:12; Rom 1:30 work: Psa 36:4; Pro 4:16 when: Hos 7:6, Hos 7:7; Mat 27:1, Mat 27:2; Mar 15:1; Act 23:15 because: Gen 31:29; Deu 28:32; Pro 3:27; Joh 19:11 Micah 2:2”

“The violent acts of the great men would be punished by God with the withdrawal of the inheritance of His people, or the loss of Canaan. Mic 2:1. "Woe to those who devise mischief, and prepare evil upon their beds! In the light of the morning they carry it out, for their hand is their God. Mic 2:2. They covet fields and plunder; them, and houses and take them; and oppress the man and his house, the man and his inheritance." The woe applies to the great and mighty of the nation, who by acts of injustice deprive the common people of the inheritance conferred upon them by the Lord (cf. Isa 5:8). The prophet describes them as those who devise plans by night upon their beds for robbing the poor,…”