The Coming Destruction. Micah 1:1-16
INTRODUCTION TO MICAH
Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, but their activities lay apart. Micah lived in the country and was concerned with both Israel and Judah, while Isaiah’s career is closely associated with the fortunes of Jerusalem.
The book of Micah shows a clear understanding of the events of the time. He foresaw the invasions of Shalmaneser and Sennacherib, the dispersion of Israel, and the destruction of Jerusalem. Alone among the prophets he foretells the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, Mic_5:2. “His special office, as a herald of coming judgment, causes a predominant severity of tone; but all harshness is softened into exquisite beauty at the close.
Judgment Sent Forth unto Victory
I. JUDGMENT, Micah 1-3
1. For Idolatry, Mic_1:1-16
The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw [through divine revelation] concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
THE COMING DESTRUCTION
Hear, O peoples, all of you; Listen closely, O earth and all that is in it, And let the Lord GOD be witness [giving a testimony of the judgment] against you, The Lord from His holy temple [in the heavens]. [1Ki_22:28]
For behold, the LORD is coming down from His place He shall come down and tread [in judgment] on the high places of the earth. [Zec_14:3-4; Mal_4:2-3; Mat_24:27-30; Rev_1:7; Rev_19:11-16]
The mountains shall melt under Him And the valleys shall be split Like wax before the fire, Like waters poured down a steep place.
All this is because of the rebellion and apostasy of Jacob And for the sins of the house of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). What is the rebellion and apostasy of Jacob? Is it not [the abandonment of God in order to worship the idols of] Samaria? What are the high places [of idolatry] in Judah (the Southern Kingdom)? Are they not Jerusalem [the capital and center of corruption]?
Therefore I [the LORD] shall make Samaria a heap of ruins [and of stones and arable land] in the open country, A place for planting vineyards; And I will pour her stones down into the ravine And lay bare her foundations. [2Ki_19:25; Eze_13:14]
All her idols shall be broken in pieces, All her earnings [from her idolatry] shall be burned with fire, And all her images I shall make desolate; For from the earnings of a prostitute she collected them, And to the earnings of a prostitute they shall return.
Because of this I [Micah] must lament (mourn over with expressions of grief) and wail, I must go barefoot and naked [without outer garments as if robbed]; I must wail like the jackals And lament [with a loud, mournful cry] like the ostriches.
For Samaria’s wound is incurable, For it has come to Judah; The enemy has reached the gate of my people, Even to Jerusalem.
Announce it not in Gath [in Philistia], Weep not at all [and in this way betray your grief to Gentiles]; In Beth-le-aphrah (House of Dust) roll in the dust [among your own people].
Go on your way [into exile–stripped of beauty, disarmed], inhabitants of Shaphir (Beautiful), in shameful nakedness. The inhabitant of Zaanan (Go Out) does not go out [of the house]; The wailing of Beth-ezel (House of Removal) will take away from you its support.
For the inhabitant of Maroth (Bitterness) Writhes in pain [at its losses] and waits anxiously for good, Because a catastrophe has come down from the LORD To the gate of Jerusalem.
Harness the chariot to the team of horses [to escape the invasion], O inhabitant of Lachish– She was the beginning of sin To the Daughter of Zion (Jerusalem)– Because in you were found The rebellious acts of Israel.
Therefore you will give parting gifts On behalf of Moresheth-gath (Micah’s home); The houses of Achzib (Place of Deceit) will become a deception To the kings of Israel.
Moreover, I will bring on you The one who takes possession, O inhabitant of Mareshah (Prominent Place). The glory (nobility) of Israel will enter Adullam [seeking refuge]. [1Sa_22:1]
Make yourself bald [in mourning]–shave off your hair For the children of your delight; Remain as bald as the eagle, For your children will be taken from you into exile.
GOD’S WITNESS AGAINST HIS CHOSEN
Micah was contemporary with Isaiah and Hosea. Jeremiah quotes from him. Compare Mic_3:12 and Jer_26:18.
In Mic_1:1-4 the prophet summons the nations to behold the just punishment which Jehovah would mete out to His faithless people. Mic_1:5-6 portray the desolation of Samaria. Destruction would settle on the homes and fields of men, and the prospect of this so affected the prophet that he divested himself of outer garment and sandals, that his disheveled condition might depict the calamities that he announced. Mic_1:10-16 make clear that Judah also would suffer similar chastisements. Aphrah and Shaphir would be hurried into captivity. So universal would be the calamity that Zaanan would not come to bewail with the neighboring city of Bethezel.
The prophets were true patriots and they felt that all good citizens should lament with them, Mic_1:16, in the hope of averting impending judgments. Are we feeling the sins and sorrows of our time, as Jesus felt those of Jerusalem, when He wept over the city?
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