The answer is: Leaders of Israel

Micah 3:1-2 - Being the leaders of the nation, they should have known better and set a good example to the people, but (v1) they didn't know judgement.

Micah certainly didn't hold back when it came to calling out the leaders of Israel! These rulers, who technically had all the power and responsibility, ended up turning that trust into a license for corruption. It's crucial to remember that in the ancient world, leaders were not simply politicians; they were charged with the moral direction of society. Their decisions affected not only harvests and taxes but also justice and well-being.

What's particularly striking in Micah's scathing rebuke is the connection to modern ideas of leadership. Generations later, Jesus echoed Micah’s call for true justice and morality, particularly chastising those in influential roles (“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees…” - Matthew 23:13). Both Micah and Jesus display common ground in expressing a robust moral vision for leadership rooted in integrity and righteousness.

Did you know Micah is only one of the minor prophets, yet his book is packed with powerful messages, prophecies of hope, and the famous words: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.” (Micah 6:8). Does that resonate with what we consider ethical today? Absolutely! These genuine calls for goodness against the backdrop of betrayal illustrate timeless lessons on how leadership should actually lead — in righteousness, not just in riches.