Daily Devotions
Micah
"No one to determine boundaries"
Text: Micah 2:5
PROPERTY BOUNDARIES
The record of the division of land in Israel may be found in Joshua 13-19. Joshua had to lead a powerful army to conquer the different nations that had previously existed in the land (Amorites, Ammonites, Moabites, Philistines etc.).
In Leviticus 25, provision was made for all to ensure that the inheritance apportioned would remain within the family. Even if a person becomes poor and he has to sell his land to a wealthier person, he may redeem his property if his circumstances are better. In any case, the year of Jubilee would see that his lost property is returned to him (Leviticus 25:28).
Ultimately, the Lord Himself claims full ownership of the land of Israel (Leviticus 25:23). He had the right and the prerogative to make the fiftieth year the Jubilee Year where a person will regain his lost property.
IN TIMES OF WAR
The Lord had threatened disaster on the land of Israel. The wicked had exploited the land to their personal advantage. They had oppressed the poor and many had suffered terribly. Invasion from powerful enemies like the Assyrians and Babylonians would change the property laws drastically.
“Therefore you will have no one
to determine boundaries by lot,
In the assembly of the LORD.”
Micah 2:5
1. “Therefore you will have no one to determine boundaries”
a) The records may have been lost.
b) The judges are no longer in power.
c) The land is in the hands of the enemies.
d) They would have picked the best properties for themselves.
e) They would have no one to determine boundaries.
2. “By lot”
a) There were occasions when things were determined by the casting of lots.
b) This would involve temple priests.
c) But if the temple did not exist anymore, even this avenue would not be available.
3. “In the assembly of the LORD”
a) This is a reference to the congregation.
b) But if the country is devastated, they would not be able to form a congregation.
c) And if an assembly of the LORD is not possible, the issue of determining property boundaries cannot be ascertained and confirmed.
d) All deeds of sale are done in public so that everyone knew who the property owners were.
A SAD DAY FOR THE TWO NATIONS
A sad day would come for both Israel and Judah. Their lands would be devoured by enemies. Their inheritance from the Lord would be gone forever. There would be no Jubilee Year as far as the enemies were concerned. All that God had promised to give to His people would be lost. This was the fate that awaited the two nations if they were to persist in their wicked ways.