Chapter 1

(Verses 1 through 4) The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the LORD from His holy temple. For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of His place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under Him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as waters that are poured down a steep place.

In verse 1 Micah introduces himself, tells when this word came to him from the LORD, and declares that it concerns both Samaria and Jerusalem . Since these cities were the capitols of Israel and Judah , respectively, they are here used to represent the two nations. He calls upon “all ye people,” which is usually considered as referring only to the people of the two nations. Then he broadens the address, and says, “O earth, and all that therein is.” Thus the whole world is called upon to observe this great event. The principal item of this event is that the LORD will be witness against all who are thus called forth. He will be a witness from His holy temple. He will come “forth out of His place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.” Since heaven is the throne of God, and the earth is his footstool, He will come down from His throne, and walk upon the earth. He is so great that, when He does this, the mountains shall melt under Him, “and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.

(Verses 5 through 9) For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel . What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria ? And what are the high places of Judah ? Are they not Jerusalem ? Therefore will I make Samaria a field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof. And the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it as the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot. Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah ; he is come unto the gate of my people, even Jerusalem .

In verses 1 through 4 Micah introduced himself, told when he received the word he was to declare, and told what the LORD was going to do. Here he tells us why the LORD is going to do this. It is because of the transgression of Jacob, the house of Israel , and the house of Judah . In order that there be no doubt as to what sin is under consideration, he asks some questions. “What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria ? And what are the high places of Judah ? Are they not Jerusalem . Not only were these two cities the capitols of the two kingdoms, but they were also the worship centers thereof. So it is easy to see that the problem of both kingdoms is indeed one problem. They have corrupted the law given them by the LORD, and are worshipping idols instead of the LORD, Who has brought them forth from Egypt , and made them into a great nation, which they have themselves divided into two kingdoms. They have turned away from the LORD to worship the idols of the other nations around them. Because of this, He will completely destroy Samaria , making it as a heap of rubble in a field, and as what is left of the plantings of a vineyard when its fences are all broken down. Samaria , as were many other cities in that day, was built upon a hill so that it would be easier to defend. But the LORD declares that He will cast down the stones thereof into the valley, even down to the foundations of the city. Nothing will be left. GOD often refers to the worship of idols as adultery or fornication. So that is what is under consideration as He says, “And all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.” Just as all of Samaria ’s wealth had been accumulated while seeking after idol gods, the LORD would completely destroy it, and leave her to have to depend upon those gods for her survival. Of course, since they have no power to do anything, even to provide for their devotees, she will be in dire circumstances. Micah says that because of this he will make a terrible mourning for her. He will even “go stripped and naked,” and will make for her “a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.” Her turning away from her idolatry is utterly hopeless. Her wound cannot be cured; but has even infected Judah , and has come unto the gate of Jerusalem . So it has spread throughout both kingdoms. And it must be punished.

(Verses 10 through 16) Declare ye it not at Gath , weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust. Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Beth=ezel; he shall receive of you his standing. For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem . O thou inhabitant of Lachish , bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion : for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee. Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth-gath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie unto the kings of Israel . Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come from Adullam the glory of Israel . Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.

 This is a declaration to the people that they will gain nothing by expecting the LORD to turn away the judgment He has determined for them. They can even roll in the dust. But that will not turn away His anger. Several cities of Judah and Israel are named, and their inhabitants are warned that this evil will surely come upon them. There is not even any promise of leniency if they repent. Some might think verse 15 to be a reference to the coming of the Christ. But that seems not to fit the details of this proclamation. Rather, it seems to indicate that although the houses of Achzib shall be “a lie,” or a false hope to the kings of Israel , yet an heir, or a few descendants of the people of Mareshah shall survive, but they will come forth unto Adullam. And that remnant shall be all that is left of Israel . It will be the glory of Israel . So the people are told to make themselves bald, and cut their hair, signs of great mourning, for their delicate children. For they are gone into captivity from them. Nothing can prevent that.

(Verses 1 through 3) Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage. Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.

This woe is pronounced upon Israel and Judah because they have forsaken the law of the LORD, and have followed the dictates of Satan. They think that if they have the power to do something, it is therefore all right for them to do it, whatever it may be, and whatever effect it may have on others. (This seems to be the same philosophy that moves the world today.) So, even in their beds, while they should be sleeping, they are devising evil that they propose to do as soon as the day comes. They think of fields, houses, and other items of wealth that someone else has, and devise means of taking it from them, even by violence, if they think they are able to make that work. Because of this manner of living, the LORD declares that He will bring upon them an evil from which they cannot escape. It is also one that shall humble them. They will no more go haughtily. “For the day is evil.”

(Verses 4 through 6) In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: He hath changed the portion of my people: how hath He removed it from me! Turning away He hath divided our fields. Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD. Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they may not take shame.

When the LORD shall bring upon them this great evil, someone shall take up a parable against them, and make a great lamentation for them, declaring that the LORD has completely changed their portion. Whereas He has heretofore taken care of them, and provided for them, He has now turned away from them, so that they will not even have a descendant to “cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.” That is, all their children shall be taken away captive to a foreign land. They tell the prophets not to prophesy to them, because they are afraid of what they will hear. And the prophets shall no more prophesy to them. That is, they will be left without prophets.

(Verses 7 through 11) O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the LORD straitened? Are these His doings? Do not My words do good to him that walketh uprightly? Even of late My people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war. The women of My people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away My glory for ever. Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

With a series of questions, the LORD proves that surely He is not the cause of the condition in which Israel and Judah now find themselves. He still has just as great power as ever. His Spirit is not at all straitened. And these evils in which this people are engaged are not His work, and neither are they the result of His word, or His teachings. His word always does good to the man who walks uprightly. But these who are named the house of Jacob have forsaken His word, and have done such evils that they have angered Him to the point that He has determined to send upon them this judgment which He has already described to them. So now He tells them to get up, and leave; because this is no longer their rest. They have polluted the land, and it will destroy them with a sore destruction. The only prophets they are going to have in this time are those who walk, not in the Spirit of the LORD, but in the spirit and falsehood of the one who is the father of falsehood, Satan. These prophets will lie, and find their prophecies in wine and strong drink. But these are all the prophets they will have in this difficult time.

(Verses 12 and 14) I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel ; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their King shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

After all the woes that the LORD has pronounced upon Israel , He still gives them a wonderful promise. Although He will send them into captivity, and will disperse them into all the world, He will surely assemble all of the remnant of them. He will bring them all together as a flock of sheep. He will protect them in His fold. Then He will break open the gate and let them spread out over the land. There will be such a multitude of them that they shall, just by reason of their number, make a great noise. Their King, which surely is the Lord Jesus, will pass before them, and the LORD will be the head of them. Remember that Jesus told us, “I and my Father are one.” So as Jesus is their King, surely, the Father is their head.

(Verses 1 through 4) And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel ; Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron. Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but He will not hear them: He will even hide His face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

Micah calls upon the “heads of Jacob,” that is, the king, the princes, and the other leaders of the nation. His question to them is, “Is it not for you to know judgment?” They who are the leaders of the LORD’S people surely ought to know judgment. That is, they ought to know what is according to His commandments, and what is not. Yet they are the very ones “who hate the good, and love the evil,” and totally abuse the LORD’S people. The description he gives of their dealings with the people are, of course, metaphoric rather than literal. For if it were literal, there would be none of the people remaining. Their treatment of them is such that it is as if they did flay their skin off them, and tried to chop them up into pieces as if to put them into a pot for cooking. We even use a similar expression today. When someone succeeds in taking from another everything he has, especially if it done by unfair or illegal means, we speak of the one who has done this as having skinned the one he has so treated. Now because they have done these terrible things, they will be brought to the place where they will cry unto the LORD; and He will not hear them. He will deliberately hide His face from them. This He will do because “they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.”

(Verses 5 through 7) Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.

During the time of this great judgment both people and prophets shall be shut up in darkness. There will be no more vision given them of the LORD. Those who have been, or have claimed to be, prophets, will be so shut up in darkness that they shall be ashamed. Or, it might be said that those who do prophesy will be brought to shame, because none of their prophecies will be fulfilled. God will give them no answer; but will leave them to grope along in the darkness of their own deceitful wisdom.

(Verses 8 through 12) But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel , that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? None evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Now Micah declares that, unlike the prophets of whom he has just spoken, he is by the Spirit of the LORD filled with power, judgment, and might, to “declare unto Jacob his transgression, and unto Israel his sin.” Then he calls upon the leaders of the house of Israel to hear what he says. And he gives them a description of their situation. They have built up their whole economy by blood, or violence, and iniquity. Even their “heads,” or judges, judge for reward, their priests teach for pay, and their prophets prophesy for money. In spite of this terrible situation, they claim to be serving the LORD. “They lean upon the LORD,” that is they claim that He is among them, and will let no harm come upon them. Do we not find a comparable situation in many places among those who claim to be serving the LORD today? The people, in words claim the protection of the LORD, but in works deny Him. For this He declares a judgment. “Therefore shall Zion be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.” If this is what He would send upon them for their iniquities, what can we expect if we follow their ways?

(Verses 1 and 2) But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

This is a scripture that is often misinterpreted. Many want to apply this to the “ Gospel Church ,” while, in reality, it reaches beyond the church. This entire chapter deals with the restoration of Israel and Judah . Although the LORD has declared that He will destroy them both by bringing upon them their enemies, who shall devastate the land, and take them away captive, He also promises that He will restore a remnant, and raise them up to a glory greater than any they have ever known before. And to this agree also many of the other prophets of the LORD. When that remnant is brought back, and re-established, the house of the LORD shall be established as here set forth, and all the nations shall be made to know that the God of Israel is indeed the God of the whole earth. And they will come to Jerusalem year by year to worship the King, Who is none other than Christ Jesus our Lord. To this agrees the prophecy of Zechariah, especially the fourteenth chapter, as well as also the writings of Isaiah and others. It will be a time of great rejoicing for all who love the LORD.

(Verses 3 through 7) And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

Verse 3 is one to which the gospel church can make no legitimate claim. While the doctrine of our Lord Jesus indeed is “Love thy neighbor as thyself;” and to follow this would cause men to “beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks,” and forsake the learning of war, the practice of the church has never followed this. Not only is history filled with the accounts of wars fought between nations that both claimed to be serving the Lord, but it comes down to the individual churches fighting “tooth and toenail” for whatever particular point of doctrine they think to be most important. In this battle there is no effort to find “middle ground” in which are many, and sometimes more important points of doctrine than the one that causes so much contention. Instead the idea seems to be, “This is the one point that you must acknowledge, or I must do everything I can to destroy you.” What would do more good than anything else in bringing about such peace in the church as is described as being in the day spoken of by the prophet, is the acknowledging, not in word only, but in deed and in truth, our Lord’s own declaration concerning the matter. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” I firmly believe that salvation is altogether by the grace of God, with no help from anything, or anyone else. However, at the same time I know many who believe that in some manner their works have something to do with it. But they love the Lord just as I do, and, probably, show more love for their fellow man than I do. And I can unequivocally say that I have as much love and fellowship for them as I do for one who believes exactly as I do. If we will concentrate upon the things our Lord has said are the most important, we can pass over the other differences much more easily, and by so doing, we might have greater peace among all who do love Him. In the day whereof the prophet speaks there will be great peace, so that weapons of war will be needed no more, and there will be no need of the study of the “art of war.” For “Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation.” All of the LORD’S people shall sit quietly, each under his own vine and fig tree. “And none shall make them afraid.” The reason this will take place is that “the LORD has spoken it.” All men will certainly walk in the name of their god—not necessarily the one they claim, but the one to whom they yield themselves. But in that day, the prophet says, “We will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.” In verses 6 and 7 the LORD is speaking of Israel and Judah . Although at the time of this writing, they were two separate kingdoms, when the LORD restores them they will be one. So He says, “In that day, I will assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.” Such is His promise of restoration to Israel .

(Verses 8 through 10) And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion , unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem . Now why dost thou cry out aloud? Is there no king in thee? Is thy counselor perished? For pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

In verse 8 the promise of the restoration is summed up again for Jerusalem , “Unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Zion .” Thus the LORD declares that there shall be no failure in what He has promised. “The kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem .” Since this cannot fail, why should Jerusalem mourn, and cry as a woman in travail? The answer is that, although she has the promise of the LORD that she shall be restored, she is now desolate. She is left without king or counselor. She is going to be driven out, and carried away, even to Babylon . Yet even there the LORD will redeem her, and deliver her from the hand of her enemies.

(Verses 11 through 13) Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion . But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they His counsel: for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion : for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the LORD of the whole earth.

This is a reference to the great battle described by Ezekiel, in chapters thirty-eight and thirty-nine of his prophecy. And Zechariah also describes it in the fourteenth chapter of his writing. The nations that will be gathered against Jerusalem in that day will intend to overcome Jerusalem , and take her captive again. But they will not know the thoughts of the LORD. He is only gathering them together as one gathers sheaves to be threshed. In that battle these nations will all be completely overcome, and all their wealth consecrated to the LORD, Whom they will be made to acknowledge as the LORD of the whole earth—not just the LORD of Israel.

(Verses 1 through 3) Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: He hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore shall He give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of His brethren shall return unto the children of Israel .

Inasmuch as the first part of verse 2 is quoted by Matthew as the answer given to Herod concerning where the “King of the Jews” was to be born, it is often quoted by others. But the remainder of this passage is seldom considered. And that is a great loss to many who would like to know more about the word of the LORD. Here the prophet calls upon the “daughter of troops,” Jerusalem , to “gather thyself together in troops,” or assemble in a manner to listen to this proclamation. The substance of this declaration is that the LORD will lay siege against them, and “they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.” One might smite another on the body with a rod without intending to kill him. But when one deliberately strikes another on the cheek with a rod, it is evidently in an effort to destroy him. And this is what the Jews set out to do to our Lord Jesus. In fact they thought they had succeeded in doing away with Him when they had Him crucified. There can be no doubt that He is the Judge of Israel. For He declared , “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” Remember also that just a little while before He was arrested He called the attention of His disciples to another prophecy that is in perfect harmony with this. “I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.” So this is as important as the remainder of the text. Then Micah addresses the town of Bethlehem, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” This portion of this text has been so many times explained that none should have any difficulty in understanding it. Certainly, it does tell us where Jesus was to be born. But it also tells us that He is to be Ruler in Israel , and that He has been established as such from eternity. It is not just some new experiment the LORD has decided to try, as some would have us believe. Verse 3 is the one that is seldom even considered. Yet it is the capstone of the whole text. “Therefore will He give them up until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of His brethren shall return unto the children of Israel .” As he introduces this with “therefore,” we understand that what follows is because of, or is predicated upon something that has been said before. So we look back to verse 1. “They shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.” “Therefore will He give them up until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth.” In Chapter 4 the prophet has told Jerusalem to “Be in pain, and labour to bring forth,” following this with the promise of deliverance from the Babylonian captivity, and even restoration from the great dispersion to an eternal glory. Now, since the children of Israel have smitten the Judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek, He will give them up. Notice that He did not say that He would give them up forever; but only until “she which travaileth hath brought forth.” That is, only until the LORD’S appointed time. When that time comes, “the remnant of His brethren shall return unto the children of Israel . It is really amazing how many times the LORD promises Israel that a remnant shall be restored, and made into a great nation. There is no room left for doubting that He will do exactly as He has promised.

(Verses 4 through 7)And He shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; and they shall abide: for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall He deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.

In the day of Israel’s restoration everything will be so peaceful that, if one could even imagine such a thing as an invasion by the Assyrians, (And this is the nation that did take Israel captive.) it would take only “seven shepherds, and eight principal men” to utterly lay waste the land of Assyria. This is the kind of deliverance that the LORD will give to Israel in that day. Israel shall be such a blessing to many people that Micah compares them to “a dew from the LORD, as showers upon the grass.” In a land normally as dry as that of Israel , the morning dew and the showers were always very welcome refreshment.

(Verses 8 and 9) And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thine hand shall be lifted up upon all thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.

In the day when the LORD shall restore Israel , though Israel be only a remnant, they shall be great. The Gentiles around them will accord them the same respect that the beasts of the forest show to a lion. Their power shall be so great that none can stand against them. When they lift up their hand against their enemies, those enemies shall be cut off.

(Verses 10 through 15) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: and I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strongholds: and I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities. And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

One might think this to be a declaration of punishment upon Israel even in the great day of her promised restoration. But as we examine these things that the LORD says He will take away from her, we find that in each case He is conferring upon them a blessing. They had maintained horses and chariots as instruments of war, and had depended upon them for protection. In that day they will have no more need of such. For the LORD will Himself be their protection. They had built many cities as strongholds, or fortifications for their protection. These will no more be needed. So they will be cut off and thrown down. Think what a wonderful thing it would be for us today if we truly had no need for our military establishments and personnel. Sadly, we have to admit that as long as human nature continues as it is today, such things will continue to be needed. But in that day Israel will have no more need of them. So they shall be discarded. The soothsayers and those who practiced witchcraft had many times led Israel astray from the LORD their God. They will no more be able to do so. For they will be removed. All the idols will be taken away, so that they will no more entice Israel into idolatry, as they so often had before. Israel had planted many groves, and established cities for the worship of idols. These the LORD will destroy. So, in all this, the LORD is consecrating Israel to His service, and removing every temptation from them, so that they may be holy unto Him. At the same time, He will, in His anger and fury, execute such vengeance upon the heathen as they have never known, or even heard of.

Chapter 6

(Verses 1 through 5) Hear ye now what the LORD saith, Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with His people, and he will plead with Israel . O My people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants, and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittam unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

As is so often the case, when the LORD declares judgment against anyone, or any people, He calls upon them to answer His charges, if they can, and tell Him what He has done that has caused them to do the terrible things they have done. Here He calls upon the mountains and hills to be witnesses of this “controversy,” or the examination He is holding with His people. He asks His people, Israel , what He has done that has so wearied them with Him that they have turned from Him, and have done all these wicked things. He reminds them that He is the one Who redeemed them out of the house of servants, and brought them out of Egypt , sending with them as leaders Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. He reminds them of what Balak and Balaam did to them, and tells them to consider this that they may know, or understand, His righteousness. Certainly if they consider these things they will have no answer to His charges. They will have to confess that He has indeed been gracious and merciful to them.

(Verses 6 through 8) Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

This is not just frivolous musing by the prophet concerning what course of action he, or we, should follow. The questions he raises are serious ones. Knowing that we have sinned, what can we present before the LORD to make satisfaction for our sins. True enough, under the law, the Israelites were ordered to make sacrifices to the LORD. He even declared that all the firstborn were to be dedicated to Him. But He commanded Israel to redeem all the firstborn children. The prophet mentions the calves, the rams, and the oil, all of which were ordered to be used as sacrifice to the LORD. But he questions, “Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” It is evident from the language he uses that he does not think that even this would be acceptable to the LORD. And indeed it would not. Hear what Samuel said to Saul. (I Samuel 15:21-22) “And Samuel said, ‘Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.’” Now Micah reminds us what the LORD is pleased with, and what He has required of us. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Surely this is more pleasing to the LORD than all the sacrifices we might offer to Him. Since the solution is so simple, we often wonder why we do not make use of it. The LORD has already shown it to us. We cannot claim that we do not know what He would have us do. Our problem is that our old human nature is so rebellious that we just will not keep close enough watch on our selves. And this lets us do many things that are not pleasing to the LORD. And when we have failed to do His commandments, the only thing we have to fall back upon is His mercy. Our sacrifices will not make it right. And neither would those of the Israelites.

(Verse 9) The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see Thy name: hear ye the rod, and Who hath appointed it.

The change from third person to second person in the first two clauses of this sentence may make it seem a little confusing. Perhaps it would be a little clearer with this change: “The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see His name.” That is, the LORD is making this declaration to the city, and any wise person in the city will recognize His name in the warning. It is His word. The message is, “Hear ye the rod, and Who hath appointed it.” That is, “Give heed to the rod, and recognize Who has appointed it.” This is very important, since the LORD is the One Who has appointed this rod

(Verses 10 through 15) Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. Therefore will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins. Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword. Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

The questions in verse 10, instead of being asked to obtain information, are for the purpose of reminding Israel that these conditions continue to exist. So the question in verse 11 can only receive a negative answer. Then He proves this with the declaration of verse 12. “For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.” This signifies that not only have they spoken lies, but that they continue to do so. Because of this the LORD will send such punishment upon them that it will make them both sick and desolate. They will not have enough to eat to satisfy them, they will be thrown down, and will not be able to deliver themselves, and anything or anyone that they try to deliver, the LORD will give up to the sword. They shall plant, but there will be no produce for them to reap, and if their olive trees and vineyards produce, they will not get the benefit of that. So a terrible desolation is decreed for them.

(Verse 16)  For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of My people.

Omri and Ahab were wicked kings of Israel that led Israel into much wickedness and idolatry. And their statutes were what the Israelites were following instead of the commandments of the LORD. So these things are the cause of the desolation that the LORD is going to send upon them. They must bear the reproach of the LORD’S people.

(Verses 1 through 4) Woe is me! For I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: and they wrap it up. The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

This is the prophet’s, or rather the LORD’S summation of the condition of Israel . It is as after the summer fruits have not only been gathered, but even after the gleanings are over. There is nothing worthwhile left. The good man is gone. He has perished out of the world. There is no integrity left. The prince, the judge, and the great man, are all seeking bribes, and other ill gotten gain. The best among them is like a brier. If one deals with him he will get pricked, or scratched. For they are sharper than a thorn hedge. That leaves no remedy but “the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh.” That is, a day of judgment, is to be visited upon these watchmen. And it will be a day of utter confusion for all of them

(Verses 5 through 7) Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

The lack of integrity is so great that no one can be trusted. The closest friends will prove treacherous, and even family members will betray each other. A man’s enemies are the members of his own family. In Matthew 10:34-36, our Lord uses this same language to describe the condition that would prevail because of His coming into the world. The difference between these two passages is that there Jesus was describing the division that would come about because some would believe in Him, and others would not; and here Micah is simply describing the depravity of the people of Israel . Since the situation is thus in Israel , Micah declares, “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” He knew that, although there was no man in whom he could have any confidence, The LORD would still hear him, and he could depend upon Him.

(Verses 8 through 13) Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets. In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed. In that day also He shall come even to thee from Assyria , and from fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain. Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.

Verses 8 through 10 seem to be Jerusalem ’s address to her enemies. She calls upon them, and warns them to not rejoice at her calamities. She is confident that the promise of the LORD will be fulfilled. When she falls He will cause her to arise, and though she may sit for a time in darkness, He will be her light. She understands that her desolation has come upon her because she has sinned against him. And as Job said concerning himself when in his great trial, “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Certainly, there was a difference between Job’s circumstances and those of Israel , in that Job was not being punished for his sins, and Israel was. Nevertheless, the LORD had promised that when His judgment against Israel is satisfied, He will make a restoration of her remnant, and will cause them to be great. So Jerusalem says, “I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me.” She is still bearing His indignation. But there are signs that He may soon plead her cause, and execute judgment for her. She declares that when He does this, “He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me,’ Where is the LORD thy God?’ Mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.” In this she is only repeating what the LORD has promised her. And He does not make false promises, and neither does He permit anyone, or anything to interfere with the fulfillment of His word. In verses 11 and 12 the prophet assures Jerusalem that there is coming a day when her walls shall be rebuilt, and the decree of destruction shall be removed. This, no doubt refers, in part, to the rebuilding of the city by Zerubbabel, but the scope of verse 12 is much greater than was ever realized at that time, and much greater than has ever been realized to date. “In that day also He shall come to thee from Assyria , and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.” No doubt, this is yet to take place. And it will in the final restoration of Israel . Notwithstanding this promise of final greatness, there is a time in which the land must lie desolate “because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.” The people of Israel in the day of the delivery of this prophecy had so forsaken the commandments of the LORD that nothing could turn aside His wrath, and cause Him to withhold the judgment He had decreed.. Desolation must be upon the land.

(Verses 14 and 15) Feed Thy people with Thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood , in the midst of Carmel : let them feed in Bashan and Gilead , as in the days of old. According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things.

Apparently, verse 14 is the prayer of the remnant of Israel , and verse 15 is the LORD’S answer to that prayer. They see themselves as a very small remnant, a small enough flock that they have been dwelling “solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel .” Their prayer is that the LORD will increase them, and let them spread out to Bashan and Gilead , places of fertile pastures, where they may graze, and become a great flock. The LORD’S answer is that He will bring them forth just as He brought them out of the land of Egypt . And He will show him [ Israel ] marvelous things.

(Verses 16 through 20) The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of Thee. Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

When the LORD does the marvelous things He has promised in verse 15, the nations [Gentiles] will see these works, and be completely confounded. They will have nothing to say, and “their ears shall be deaf.” That is, they will not even believe what they hear with their own ears. But they will be afraid of the LORD. Who can bring about such things. The prophet declares that there is no other like the LORD. He pardons the iniquity, and passes by the transgressions of the remnant of His heritage. And the reason that He does not retain His anger forever is that He delights in mercy. This is something that has been many times experienced by all of those who trust in Him. But it is something the world cannot understand. Even though, at the time of this declaration, He had declared a great punishment upon Israel , the prophet winds up his proclamation with a strong promise of the LORD’S mercy that will be showered upon Israel at His appointed time. “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.” There can be no doubt that every promise of the mercy of God to Israel will be meticulously performed. Not one word shall fail. Because the LORD has promised it. And His word is not committed to us that we might change either what it says, or its address. His promises to Israel are to Israel , and will be performed to Israel , not to the gospel church, as some try to tell us today.