Absolute Power Absolutely Corrupts - Micah

 Micah 2:1 (ESV Strong's)

1 Woe to those who devise wickedness

and work evil on their beds!

When the morning dawns, they perform it,

because it is in the power of their hand.

Absolute Power Absolutely Corrupts

Micah is prophesying to both the kingdom of Israel and the the kingdom of Judah.  He is writing to warn them about the pending doom God is bringing on them for their corrupt behavior.   He is condemning their evil practices.  In the above passage we read that they are using their power for corrupt practices to bring harm to others.   In Proverbs 1:10-20, Solomon outlines that similar behavior of those who reject God and live in folly.  Wickedness wants to create wickedness.   They devise it in their hearts.  The think that God does not see it, but He does.  He brings woe onto them.   The word “woe” is used 47 times in the Old Testament.  46 of them are in the prophets.    It is only used one time in Micah, in this verse, but carries much wait.  The nation of Israel and Judah thought they were special because they were the only nation God had chosen.   For the prophet Micah to use the word “woe” would have gotten then attention.   He was pronouncing doom on them for their corrupt use of power.  They constantly would use their power for wicked purposes to hurt the innocent.   They failed to show mercy and grace to others.  Hence the theme book of the book:

Micah 6:8 (ESV Strong's)

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

God wants us to use our power for good. He does not want us to look on our enemies for evil.