Micah Chapter 1
vs 1 The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah - the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, Hosea and Amos. Micah came from Moresheth Gath, around 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem near to the border to the Philistines. Micah's name is probably an abbreviation of Micaiah (= who is like Jehovah?)
Micah delivered his message to both the Northern and Southern kingdoms but his message was directed mainly to Judah. Judah was enjoying great prosperity at this time. During this time the Assyrians attacked the northern kingdom, which was defeated in 722 BC and was brought into Assyrian captivity (see Micah 1; Micah 5:5 ff). In the land itself Micah was troubled with problems such as formal worship without true fear of God, idolatry and oppression of the people by the leadership.
Micah delivered his message to both the Northern and Southern kingdoms but his message was directed mainly to Judah. Judah was enjoying great prosperity at this time. During this time the Assyrians attacked the northern kingdom, which was defeated in 722 BC and was brought into Assyrian captivity (see Micah 1; Micah 5:5 ff). In the land itself Micah was troubled with problems such as formal worship without true fear of God, idolatry and oppression of the people by the leadership.
vs 2 Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it, that the Sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple.
The book of Micah consists of three serious prophetical speeches each beginning with "hear".
The first part (Micah 1; Micah 2) starts with the call "Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is!" Then follows the announcement of God's judgment over Samaria capital of the northern kingdom and over Jerusalem capital of Judah. Although this message was directed specifically to the northern and southern kingdoms, all the earth should pay attention.
The judgment is for their transgressions and injustices as well as their idolatry as they had rejected the serious warnings of God. This is why the whole land was desolated and no longer a place of rest for the people of God. The inhabitants would be chased out of the land but will be gathered again in a day to come.
The Lord from his holy temple - The place where he still remains as your King, and your Judge; and where you profess to pay your devotions. The temple was yet standing, for Jerusalem was not taken for many years after this. This could be a reference to the earthly temple or God's heavenly throne.
The first part (Micah 1; Micah 2) starts with the call "Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is!" Then follows the announcement of God's judgment over Samaria capital of the northern kingdom and over Jerusalem capital of Judah. Although this message was directed specifically to the northern and southern kingdoms, all the earth should pay attention.
The judgment is for their transgressions and injustices as well as their idolatry as they had rejected the serious warnings of God. This is why the whole land was desolated and no longer a place of rest for the people of God. The inhabitants would be chased out of the land but will be gathered again in a day to come.
The Lord from his holy temple - The place where he still remains as your King, and your Judge; and where you profess to pay your devotions. The temple was yet standing, for Jerusalem was not taken for many years after this. This could be a reference to the earthly temple or God's heavenly throne.
vs 3-4 Look! The Lord is coming from His dwelling place; He comes down and treads the high places of the earth.The mountains melt beneath Him and the valls split apart like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.
We see how creation is altered by God's nearness, and nothing remains the same as the Lord descends from His holy temple upon His people as a Divine Warrior. He comes not as a supporting witness for Israel and Judah, but as the all-seeing Judge and Lord of hosts. (First5)
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I don't have to wait until heaven to approach God's throne of grace. His rescuing presence is always available to me. Leah Dipascal.
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At the time of Micah, God descended against His people because of their rebellious sin and idolatry. But God descending as a Divine Warrior isn't always in objection and judgment to His people's actions. More often it is redemptive to save His people. (Exodus 14:13-14, 15:1-18; Deuteronomy 1:30-31; 1 Samuel 17:47b) To deliver and set them free from their enemies and yes, even from the bondages they've created for themselves. (Micah 7:18-20)
First5 Prayer: Lord, I'm so thankful I don't have to wait for heaven to approach Your throne of grace. Your rescuing presence is always available to me. You wait patiently, and lovingly reach out to me in my times of great need. Your mercy and grace descend like rain when I call to You for help. There is no higher or lovelier place in heaven or earth that I'd rather be than with You. In Jesus' name, amen.
vs 5 All this is because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel. What is Jacob's transgression? Is it not Samaria? Wht is Judah's high place? Is is not Jerusalem?
Samaria and Jerusalem, the chief cities, are infected with idolatry. Each has its high places, and its idol worship, in opposition to the worship of the true God. That there was idolatry practiced by the elders of Israel, even in the temple of Jehovah (see Ezekiel 8:1-3,). As the royal cities in both kingdoms gave the example of gross idolatry, no wonder that it spread through the whole land, both of Israel and Judah.
vs 6-7
vs 8 Because of this I will week and wail.....
Micah doubtless went about, not speaking only of grief, but grieving, in the habit of one mourning and bereft of all. He prolongs in these words the voice of wailing, choosing unaccustomed forms of words, to carry on the sound of grief. He will grieve from the heart over those who perish, mourning for the hardness of the ungodly,
vs 9 For her wound is incurrable; it has come to Judah. It has reached the very gate of my people, even to Jerusalem itself.
Her wound is incurable - Nothing shall prevent their utter ruin, for they have filled up the measure of their iniquity.
He is come - even to Jerusalem - The desolation and captivity of Israel shall first take place; that of Judah shall come after.
Samarias sins were incurable and God's judgment on the city had already begun. This sin was not like a minor cut or gash but like a wound to a vital organ causing injury that would soon prove fatal. Samaria was in fact destroyed early in Micah's ministry. Tragically, Samaria's sin had influenced Jerusalem and judgment would come to its very gates. Ths probably refers to the seige in 701 BC (2 Kings 18:19)
He is come - even to Jerusalem - The desolation and captivity of Israel shall first take place; that of Judah shall come after.
Samarias sins were incurable and God's judgment on the city had already begun. This sin was not like a minor cut or gash but like a wound to a vital organ causing injury that would soon prove fatal. Samaria was in fact destroyed early in Micah's ministry. Tragically, Samaria's sin had influenced Jerusalem and judgment would come to its very gates. Ths probably refers to the seige in 701 BC (2 Kings 18:19)