248 Global Ethics for Leadership
(rûah) of Yahweh (cf. Micah 3:8). He has been called to confront the
corruption of the rich ruling classes (the chiefs, magistrates, priests and
prophets), whose mission it was to lead the people and to enlighten them
by the fear of the Word of God and respect for the law. In his speeches,
we can single out one word that has the meaning of courage, the word
Ghebhûrâh.
In effect, by being filled with Ghebhûrâh, Micah thus becomes a man
who is not only strong, but also powerful, valiant and courageous. By
contrast with the prophets who change the word of God into something
that can be bought and sold, Micah appears as God’s messenger, or ra-
ther Yahweh’s man, who prevails over them.
The Ghebhûrâh, with which he is filled, thus made him able to do
what the other prophets should have been doing: condemning the crimes
and sin of Jacob and Israel. According to R. Vuilleumier the word ‘ko-
ah’ (force) is not interchangeable with Ghebhûrâh:
The first term describes strength in general, the second describes
that strength that is necessary for a man who must engage in a
terrible struggle.^203
Effectively, in Ezekiel 39:20; Joel 2:7 and 4:9, the term ghebhûrâh is
used alongside milehâmâh, the word for war.^204 One can thus under-
stand that Micah’s oracles are a declaration of war, or open combat,
against the oppressors of the people of God and their corrupt leaders.
Without any doubt, this struggle against corruption is a genuine war, a
real fight, which requires not only strength but also courage and valour.
Also of interest are the two shades of meaning of the term ghebhûrâh
that are described by B. Renaud in his analysis:
203
R Vuilleumier, and C Keller, Michée, Habacuc, Sophonie, in Commentaire
de l’Ancien Testament XIb, Neuchâtel, Delachaux et Niestlé, 1971, p.41 204
Ibid,