ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna – Leaders or Ringleaders?
KEY VERSE
“The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us” (Micah 3:11).
Bible Reading:
Micah 3:1-12 (KJV)
1 And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment?
2 Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
3 Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.
4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him:
6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
MESSAGE
Captain John Hawkins Simpson once built a house on the Canford Cliffs, near Bournemouth, England. He chose a site that was too close to the edge of the cliff. Concerned friends and neighbours warned him of the danger of siting the building there, considering that landslides frequently occurred along the coast, and the weight of the house would cause a disaster. Mr. Simpson ignored the warnings and went ahead to erect a beautiful building there. He enjoyed it for a while. Then came the inevitable catastrophe he was warned about. What remains of that house now is known as “Simpson’s Folly” – a heap of ruins on the beach.
In today’s text, the obstinate attitude of the Jewish leaders – both the princes and the prophets – is similar to that of Simpson. Prophet Micah decried, in the strongest terms, the egregious sins of these leaders who had actually become ringleaders. The princes or governors of the people had become so callous, covetous and corrupt that they were compared to ravenous animals. They shunned divine counsel and sued for wickedness, and God resolved that He would ignore their prayers. The so-called prophets in the land had become exploitative, fleecing, yet flattering the people. They chose to walk in darkness, and God decided he would keep them in the dark, shutting them out of divine revelation and inspiration. This terrible scenario provoked a holy zeal in Prophet Micah, who, full of power by the spirit of the LORD, denounced the people’s transgressions, in contrast to the flattering prophets.
The impunity of the ringleaders of Micah’s day is not different from the prevailing disturbing carriage of today’s greedy leaders and desperately materialistic and flattering so-called gospel ministers. These self-styled “prophets” are leading multitudes of ignorant people away to perdition. However, like the case of the corrupt prophets and seers of Micah’s time, they will not escape God’s righteous judgment, their self-deluding confidence notwithstanding.
As you reflect on this matter, it is only fitting for you to examine your position on it. Are you part of the ringleaders? Are you deceived because of your penchant for flatteries? Why not learn from “Simpson’s Folly”? On the other hand, are you spirit-filled and bold, like Micah, to declare the truth? Do you have ears for the sound word of God?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Refine it as you may, stubbornness against God will never produce gain
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
John 19-21
COMMENTARY
1. Leaders Who Betray Their Trust – Micah condemned the leaders of Israel who had become corrupt and self-serving. Instead of protecting the people, they devoured them like ravenous animals. The princes judged for bribes, priests taught for hire, and prophets divined for money. They had abandoned their divine calling for personal gain.
2. The Danger of Flattering Prophets – The false prophets of Micah’s day flattered the people with messages of peace while leading them into sin. They refused to speak the truth because they were paid to speak what people wanted to hear. This is a warning against ministers who prioritize popularity over truth and financial gain over faithfulness.
3. God’s Response to Corrupt Leaders – God declared that He would hide His face from these leaders. Their prayers would not be heard. They would be left in darkness without divine revelation. This is a sobering truth: persistent sin and corruption can lead to divine silence and judgment.
4. The Boldness of True Prophets – Micah was different. He was “full of power by the Spirit of the LORD” and boldly declared the people’s transgressions. He did not flatter or compromise. True ministers of God must speak the truth, even when it is unpopular. They must be filled with the Spirit and have the courage to confront sin.
5. The DCLM Ministry’s Call to Integrity – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes integrity and faithfulness in ministry. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that ministers must not use their position for personal gain but must faithfully declare God’s Word. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to examine themselves and ensure they are not among the corrupt.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and integrity in leadership.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to examine their hearts and stand for truth.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, search my heart and reveal any corruption or self-serving motives. Help me to be like Micah—full of Your Spirit and bold in declaring Your truth. Protect me from the deceit of flattering words. Keep me from the sin of leading others astray. Help me to be a faithful leader who serves You and Your people with integrity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
