Read Micah 1:10–16
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Micah 1:10a–b say not to do where? What does verse 10c–d say to do where? What are the inhabitants of what three places doing (Micah 1:11a–c)? In what way (verse 11d)? Who desired what (Micah 1:12a)? But what come, instead, from Whom (verse 12b)? To where (verse 12c)? Whom does Micah 1:13a address? Telling them to do what (verse 13b)? What part did she have in Israel’s sin (verse 13c–d)? What will begiven to whom (Micah 1:14a)? What will be the outcome of Achzib’s relationship with Israel (verse 14b)? But what will the Lord bring to what places (Micah 1:15)? What do Micah 1:16a,c tell them to do to themselves? Why (verse 16b, d)?
How should we respond to the judgment of God’s sinful people? Micah 1:10–16 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should respond to the judgment of God’s sinful people with deeply felt, and expressed, grief.
All Scripture is useful for teaching us. But Scripture should direct all of the faculties of our soul, not only the mind and the will, but the affections. This passage seems intended to do just that. Micah expressed his own great grief (Micah 1:8-9) over the judgment that was coming to Israel and Judah (Micah 1:2-7). Now, he summons all of Judah and Israel to join in the same grief.
Israel’s shame (Micah 1:10a–b). This grief is not for public consumption. Gath was a famous city of Philistine enemies. As intense as their weeping is going to be, it must not be done in front of the Gittites.
Israel’s pain (Micah 1:10c–d). In a minor Israelite city, however, they were to be rolling in the dust with their grief.
Israel’s captivity (Micah 1:11). The inhabitants of Shaphir are exiled in naked procession (verse 11a), while the inhabitant of Zaanan is confined to his city under siege, and the inhabitant of Beth Ezel grieves because his city no longer exists.
Judgment spreading from Jerusalem (Micah 1:12). We saw judgment beginning in the household of God at Jerusalem (Micah 1:9). But it does not stay there (cf. 1 Peter 4:17–18). The disaster that comes down from YHWH at the gate of Jerusalem is spreading to Maroth (literally, “bitter town”). One reason to grieve is the knowledge that it is coming to you, too.
Because sin had spread to Jerusalem (Micah 1:13). Judgment is spreading out from Jerusalem because sin had spread to Jerusalem. The people of Lachish are warned to escape as fast as they can from the wrath that is coming to them from Jerusalem. But the sins of Israel (the northern kingdom) had first migrated to Jerusalem in the first place.
And Israel is losing what it had (Micah 1:14). Israel’s goods will be given to foreign cities (verse 14a). At one point, it they had won a victory at a place called Achzib (literally, “deception”). But this was not a sign of good things to come, but a “deceptive” hope.
Especially their upper-class (Micah 1:15). The crown princes and “glorious” royalty of Israel would be exiled to other places, including Adullam, which was famous for being a place to which David fled while on the run.
Bringing Israel into profound mourning (Micah 1:16). Addressed to Israel as a woman (feminine verbs), verse 16 pictures her shaving her head bald as a buzzard—her shorn locks falling upon her precious children, as they are carried off away from lady Israel.
This passage communicates a grief of such intensity as can be felt. One must not respond to sin, or the judgment that comes upon it, with coldhearted indifference.
Where do we see God’s chastening coming upon the churches? How are you responding to it?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us, for we have not been moved to grief by the judgments that have fallen upon the churches. We have been cold-hearted to the condition of your people. And thus, we have been coldhearted toward You, and what You love, and toward Your honor in the world. Grant that we would care deeply about the condition of Christ’s church, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP137 “By Babylon’s Rivers” or TPH79A “God, the Nations Have Invaded”