Jehovah expects justice to be practiced by those shouldering responsibility among his people. To the abusive leaders of Israel, it is said: “Is it not your business to know justice? You haters of what is good and lovers of badness, tearing off their skin from people and their organism from off their bones.” Micah, “with the spirit of Jehovah, and of justice and mightiness,” pronounces God’s judgments against them. The unjust leaders, he says, judge for bribes, the priests instruct for a price, and the prophets practice divination for money. Therefore, Jerusalem “will become mere heaps of ruins.”​—3:1-12.

○ 3:1-3​—Here is a startling contrast between Jehovah, the kind Shepherd, and the cruel leaders of his ancient people in Micah’s day. These failed in their commission to protect the flock by exercising justice. They cruelly exploited the figurative sheep not only by fleecing them but also by ‘stripping off their skin’​—like wolves. The wicked shepherds deprived the people of justice, subjecting them to “acts of bloodshed.” (3:10) Through perverted judgments, the defenseless were defrauded of their homes and livelihood.​—2:2; compare Ezekiel 34:1-5.