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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
1:2-2:13 The Announcement of Judgment on Israel and Judah. The first major section describes the impending judgment:
1:2-16 God's Punishment of Samaria and Judah. The prophecy opens with the pronouncement of judgment on Samaria (vv. 2-7), with Judah following (vv. 8-16).
1:2-7 Judgment on Samaria. The coming of the Lord and the reason for his appearing (vv. 2-5a) is followed by four rhetorical questions from the Lord (vv. 5b-7). The undoing of creation (v. 4) anticipates the undoing of Samaria (vv. 6-7).
1:2 Hear. This verb marks the beginning of major divisions (1:2; 3:1; 6:1). As witness against Samaria, the Lord will bring accusations and provide evidence (1 Sam. 12:5; Mal. 3:5). Holy temple refers to the Lord's dwelling in the heavens (cf. Ps. 11:4; Hab. 2:20). It is parallel to "his place" (Mic. 1:3).
1:3 Coming out implies Yahweh's marching out for battle (cf. Judg. 5:4; Isa. 26:21; Zech. 14:3). High places designates either geographical "heights" (cf. Amos 4:13) or the cultic Canaanite shrines located on them.
1:5 Jacob . . . house of Israel. These terms and the mention of the capital cities of Samaria (northern kingdom) and Jerusalem (southern kingdom) underscore that the whole nation is in view (2:12; 3:1, 8-9).
1:6 I will expresses the Lord's intention to act (1:7, 15; 2:3, 12; 4:6-7, 13; 5:10-15; 6:14; 7:15). Samaria a heap. A similar fate awaits Jerusalem (3:12). uncover her foundations. The threat speaks of judgment and introduces the concept of public shame (cf. 4:11; 7:10).
1:7 All her carved images . . . wages . . . idols. Yahweh's judgment and destruction will be extensive. fee of a prostitute. The spiritual infidelity of the city is likened to the actions of a prostitute, as elsewhere in the OT (Judg. 2:17; Ezek. 16:33-36).
1:8-16 Judgment on Judah. Micah's mourning (vv. 8-9) is followed by a list of the cities that will face disaster (vv. 10-15) and the threat of exile (v. 16).
1:8 go stripped and naked. Mourning was usually signified by the wearing of sackcloth (Gen. 37:34; 1 Kings 21:27; Joel 1:8) and head covering (2 Sam. 15:30); hence this may be a more intense mourning, or else an image of going into exile (cf. Isa. 20:3-4). jackals . . . ostriches. Judah is pictured as a land laid waste (Isa. 34:13; Jer. 50:39).
1:9 It has reached probably refers to the yet-to-be-identified "disaster" (v. 12). The delayed identification of what exactly has reached to the gate spotlights the subject when finally disclosed.
1:10-15 Using the names of towns taken by the Assyrians, Micah's extensive wordplay reflects the various disasters that Judah will face. For the cities identified in vv. 10-15, see map.
1:10 Tell it not in Gath. Micah seeks to prevent either sympathy or rejoicing from outside observers over the coming destruction (cf. note on 2 Sam. 1:20). Beth-le-aphrah ("House of Dust") plays on the similar sound of the Hebrew ‘apar (dust). roll yourselves. Those under judgment must give full expression to their grief.
1:11 Shaphir sounds like a related word for "beautiful" and contrasts with nakedness and shame. Zaanan sounds like the Hebrew for "come out." In fear, the trembling inhabitants do not come out for battle. Beth-ezel ("House of Taking Away") expresses lamentation that the village was "taken away," i.e., destroyed.
1:12 Maroth conveys the concept of bitterness. Thus, a "bitter" town longs for good. The word disaster (Hb. ra‘) is a key word in Micah (see ESV footnote at 2:3). The "disaster" from Yahweh, who "will come down" (1:3), has come down to Jerusalem's gate (cf. v. 9).
1:13 Steeds (Hb. larekesh, lit., "to the steeds") sounds like Lachish. Ironically, the people are urged to harness not chariot horses to fight but swift courier horses to flee.
1:14 Moresheth-gath. The town is here associated with the word me’orasah ("one who is betrothed," Deut. 22:23). Assyria will receive a dowry (i.e., parting gifts), along with the bride (i.e., Moresheth-gath). Achzib sounds like the noun ’akzab ("deceptive, deceitful"; cf. Jer. 15:18). The kings of Israel, expecting Achzib to provide a source of revenue from its pottery production, will be deceived.
1:15 The Hebrew for conqueror or "dispossessor" (yoresh) sounds like Mareshah and is often used to describe Israel's dispossession of Canaan. Those who formerly dispossessed the Canaanites will now themselves be dispossessed. glory of Israel . . . Adullam. The first town listed, "Gath" (v. 10), recalls David's lament over Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:19-27). The last town listed, "Adullam," recalls David's flight to Adullam, where he was pursued by Saul (1 Sam. 22:1; 2 Sam. 23:13). Now David's descendants likewise flee from a hostile conqueror.
