Micah 2:5

Micah 2:5 says, Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.  I believe this verse and the next few relate to hypocritical worship.  Casting lots was used to determine God's will, and at times to determine an inheritance.  I believe that God was telling the people of Israel that there was no need to go through the motions of worship when they did not submit to the leadership of God.  If we are not following God in our lives today, then there is no use in pretending that we are worshipping Him by going through religious gestures.  Verse six adds, Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.  Micah said that God had called for those who prophesied to guit.  The prophets had ceased to proclaim God's word but were instead proclaiming what the people wanted to hear.  We can never change the word of God just because it is unpopular.  If we do, then we can not expect God to bless our words nor our work.  Verse seven continues, O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?  God asked if those who were called the house of Jacob, or God's people in other words, believed that the way they were living was directed by God.  As followers of Christ today, we must always live our lives for God's glory.  When we are following God's leadership then we can walk uprightly in the world.  Verse eight states, Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.  God said that lately those who were called His people had risen up as enemies against Him.  Instead of treating strangers with courtesy, they had started taking everything they had from them.  Verse nine adds, The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.  God said that women and children, like the strangers, were mistreated.  Instead of caring for them and showing the love of God to them, God's people had taken away His glory.  The way we treat others as followers of Christ should always bring glory to Him.  Verse ten continues, Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.  Those who were called God's people were told to arise and depart because they had polluted their covenant with Him.  They could not rely on their physical birth and their empty worship to bring the blessings of God to them, and neither can we today.  Verse eleven says, If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.  I believe this is a warning against claiming to walk by the leadership of God when we are lying about that relationship.  We might as well be drunk on wine, since we are not filled with the Holy Spirit.  Verse twelve adds, I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.  God said He would gather the remnant of Israel.  God has never been totally devoid of those who follow Him.  When Christ came, He died to redeem all who put their faith in God.  Verse thirteen continues, The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.  Matthew Henry says that some believe the breaker refers to John the Baptist, but we can be certain that God is referring to the restoration of those who believe in Him.  Through Christ, God is our King forever.