Devotional Commentary on Micah 1

 

Between 1969-1984 (Willis, Rudolph, Mays, Wollf, Smith and Hillers) all argued that 1:1 is a boundary different from 1:2-7. Verse 1 indicates that the prophecy is concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Samaria did not yet fell and it is assumed that a situation prior to Shalmanezer Vth capture of the city in 723 BCE is envisaged.

Nahman Avigad found the name Michaiahu on a potsherd in the city of David excavations. In the second line of the ostracon is clearly this name. Jeremiah in 26:18 quoted already Micah as a prooftext for a future prediction and could only do so when his work was already done.

God calls for a confirmatory Courtcase. When destruction is about to be administered, the Investigative Judgment will be finished. “Listen all peoples, be attentive earth and its fullness” (verse 2). According to Redak it refers to the Holy Land and the people in it. This interpretation is wrong. Malbim is correct in explaining that it refers to the whole earth. “The Lord from His Holy Temple” (verse 2). Ibn Ezra, Redak and Mezudath David sees it as the “heavenly temple”. Witnesses are called for a courtcase. A courtcase is in the temple in heaven.

And this is enough talking about what scholasticism did with the book of Micah. I close my notes and go for God and His message now.

Notice that there is a movement of God: “For behold, the Lord comes forth from His place, and He shall descend and tread upon the high places of the earth” (verse 3). Christ the King of Kings shall go forth from the sanctuary and descend to the earth at the Second Coming for example.

The destructions following is rather a punishment that is fitting at the eschatological point later at the Hell event that is a millennium later than the Second Coming. Mountains melt, valleys split “as wax” (verse 4).

There is an investigative phase [courtcase] (1:2) before an executive phase of the judgment (1:3-4

Why is this particular scene described? Because of their sins of the wayward remnant of God: “transgression of Jacob” and “sins of the house of Israel” (verse 5). Samaria and Jerusalem, urban centers are seen as the incubators of the problem.

What the Warrior Messiah will do with these two cities in the Hell event, Samaria a heap, foundations uncovered, place for planting vineyards (6). Idols shall be destroyed. Prostitution is not favored in the Word of God (verse 7). Those who participate in it do not realize how God rejects the actions. It seems as if in the eschaton the evil will replay their prior evil actions and this horror will lead to the total absolute eradication.

Micah, who saw all this in vision, now wants to cry about it in verse 8.

In Micah’s day, the affliction of Samaria has also reached Judah since evil is contagious (verses 9-11).

One house followed the other to be linked in evil. “For the one dwelling, in disobedience hoped for good, but evil descended from the Lord to the gate of Jerusalem” (verse 12). Jesus said that at the end time there will be people crying and gnashing their teeth for not making it.

In verse 13 the Lord talks of Micah’s day. They should get fast horses since the sins of Samaria is also affecting Zion. Lachish is talked to.

The sins of Israel and the daughter of Zion are two different entities (verse 13). More cities are called upon, Gath and Achzib (verse 14).

Exile as punishment is for those who forsake the Lord. Hell eradication is for those who always refuse to have anything to do with God. The Glory of Israel is Christ that will come (verse 15). He is the possessor of this world and He bought it back with His blood.

 

Dear God

Micah saw so much in common what other prophets also saw. He added detail to certain events known to have an order in future. The nuances were sometimes also referred to by Christ. We are amazed by Your prophets and their care for our understanding. In Jesus Name Amen.