Micah 1 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Micah (who is like Yah?) was from such a small town it was named Moresheth-Gath – Gath the bigger town next to tiny Moresheth. He was a rural person who sympathized with the farmers who were unjustly treated by the wealthy. He preached during the reign of the three kings mentioned in verse 1. Yet the positive response Micah witnessed only occurred in the reign of Hezekiah. So Micah probably experienced decades of little to no response to his preaching. Yet close to 100 years later, when Jeremiah was giving his defense of his solemn of judgment against Jerusalem and his threatened death, he reminds his listeners that Hezekiah did not treat Micah this way (Jer 26:18ff). Jeremiah, as other prophets did, read and studied the Scripture.
There are different ways to divide the chapter. Borrowing from James Boice’s commentary, let look at this division:
1-4 The descent of the Lord in Judgment
5-7 The fall of Samaris
8-16 The sin of Samaria has reached Jerusalem and a call for response
In verses 1-4, the Lord “comes down” (3) from his holy temple (1). The Lord is coming in judgment (5) and nothing will prevent him from coming. “The mountains will melt under him . . .” Why this wrath? Why this unrelenting judgment? That is what this book is about. Micah points out their idolatry and rebellion.
In 1:5-7, Micah directs his message to the northern tribe of Israel. At this time, Israel in the north and Judah in the south were virtually separate nations. Israel was the first to jump headlong into apostasy. Israel mixed a little of Israel’s worship with more of pagan worship. “. . . all her idols I will lay waste. For from the fee of a prostitute she gathered them . . . “
In 8-16, the southern tribe, Judah is rebuked. Yet before we look at Judah, we can’t help but see the foreshadowing of Christ in Micah as a messenger in word and action. In verse 8, we see Micah weeping over the sins of his people. Micah used the word lament twice in verse 8. These words of judgment had a profound emotional impact on Micah. This reminds us that when we speak of hell or judgment we ought to do so with a tear in our eye and tenderness in our hearts and voice.
There are a number of times when it would help if readers could read the original language; in this case Hebrew. Your notes may help you see what Micah is doing in this passage. Each city’s name is an omen for what is coming. For example in v 10, Beth Ophrah – the second part of the name sounds the word for dust. So the people would cover themselves in dust in the culture expression of mourning..
In verse 11, Shaphir, beautiful, will no longer be beautiful but will leave the city in shame. Zaanan sounds like exit, but the citizens will be locked up in the city (Wait, did they have Covid-19 back then?). Also in v. 11, Beth-ezel means the nearby city but it will be no help to nearby cities.
The citizens of Maroth (bitterness) in v. 12 will writhe in bitterness even though it longed for good. In v. 13 Lachish, a city famous for its chariot horses; those horses will be harnessed to flee not fight. Michah’s hometown Moresheth sounds like betrothed, so they will give parting gifts as they pass from the rule of their family to a new cruel husband: the Assyrians. Aczib, deceitful or disappointing, will be disappointing to the Kings of Israel. Mareshah in 15 or possessor will be possessed by someone else. Adullam was the place of refuge for King David and will once again be a place of refuge.
Jesus was not the first preacher who spoke over and over again about judgment. He was not the only preacher to offer grace. But he is the only one who points to Himself and who offered Himself for us as David pointed out in his latest Matthew devotion. During these home-bound days as we reflect on the miracle of Easter, draw near to the Christ who died for you. Thank Him for His death and bodily resurrection. And let others know of His grace. God bless you all.