Micah - Swords to Plowshares

This judgment is not private or concealed, but is intended to serve as a witness to all the world (v2). Israel was meant to be God’s ambassador nation, a witness to all the world of God’s holiness and glory.

They had failed to glorify God in this way through their continual disobedience and idolatry. So now they would become a witness of God’s holiness and glory through their destruction. God will be glorified through obedience or through judgment.

Verse 4, God’s destructive presence is demonstrated.

Israel will be judged for her idolatry (v6-7).

Micah’s Lament (1:8-16)

In verses 10-15 Micah composes a poem of lament filled with wordplay and allusions. There is likely a chiastic structure present - a literary structure that uses pairs of ideas or references to emphasize the center of the structure.

10a - “Tell it not in Gath, weep not at all”

10b - “In Beth Aphrah. Roll yourself in the dust.”

11a - “Pass by in naked shame, you inhabitant of Shaphir.”

11b - “The inhabitant of Zaanan does not go out.”

11c - “Beth Ezel mourns; in its place to stand is taken away from you.”

12a - “For the inhabitant of Maroth pined for good.

12b - “But the disaster came down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.”

13 - “O inhabitant of Lachish, harness the chariot to the swift steeds (She was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion for the transgressions of Israel were found in you).”

14a - Therefore you shall give presents to Moresheth Gath”

14b - “the house of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.”

15 - “I will yet bring an heir to you, O inhabitant of Mareshath.”

15b - “The glory of Israel shall come to Abdullam.”

Gath and Abdullam - References to David. David laments Saul’s death and says "Tell it not in Gath,” in 2 Samuel 1:20. Abdullam is the cave where David hid from Saul. The glory of Israel will be forced to hide in exile just like David.

Beth Aphrah & Mareshath - wordplays on the rest of each verse. Beth Aphrah means “house of dust” and Mareshath means “inheritance.”

Shaphir & Achzib - united in their use of the long i sound. They also provide irony for each of their statements. Shaphir means “beautiful” and Achzib means “deception.”

Zaanan & Moresheth Gath - wordplay allusions that are probably being used to call to mind other words that sound very similar.

Zaanan has something to do with flocks of sheep, and the word meaning “go out” shares the same letters with the word for flock. Robert Bell writes that it would have a similar affect to an English speaker saying “no houses in Houston.”

Moresheth Gath shares 3 of 4 letters with the word for “engaged woman.” Brides would regularly receive going away presents for when their marriage. Bell once again writes that in affect Micah is saying that “they can kiss their town goodbye.”

Beth Ezel & Lachish.

The meaning of the first of this pair is difficult, but Ezel has the same letters as the word for “to take away,” which in effect doubles the meaning of his warning.

Lachish (LaChiSH) parallels in sound the word for “swift steed” (ReCheSH) and was known for its strong and swift chariots, but even they would flee.

And the final and central pair, Maroth and Jerusalem. Maroth means “bitter things” and they wished for good. But evil came upon the people of Jerusalem - meaning “peace.”

Summary: Micah uses wordplays and puns to emphasize the terrible judgment coming. Even everyday words would remind them of the awful destruction. The names of the towns sometimes demonstrate the appropriateness of God’s judgment and other times the irony of God’s judgment. And finally, this coming judgment is pure chaos, spreading over all the nation and into every place.

God’s Hopeful Promise of Protection for a Remnant (2:12-13)

God’s judgment of Wicked Leaders and Zion’s Destruction (3:1-12)

Zion’s Exaltation Again (4:1-8)

This section communicates the end times restoration and exaltation of Zion and God’s place of rule. Where the Temple mount was destroyed in 3:12, now the LORD’s House will be raised up above all the Earth, and all the world will stream to it in honor, reverence, and worship to God!

The World that Follows God in the Final Day

God will teach all, even the Gentiles, to follow and obey Him. (2)

God will settle disputes and judge everything. (3a)

God will establish worldwide peace (3b-4)

All humanity will walk in obedience and love for God (5)

God’s Anointed King (5:1-6)

While Israel would be under the seige and attack from enemies, God would raise up a ruler from the house of David - a king who would lead them into victory.

This points to the true Messianic King of Israel who will rule all the Earth and one day bring about a world united under God’s Kingship through this anointed King.

God’s Lawsuit and Requirement for Israel (6:1-16)

Micah’s Final Prayer to God (7:14-20)

Summary:

Micah demonstrates God’s coming judgment against Israel and then Judah for her sins. God’s covenant with Israel contained many requirements which they had continually refused to obey. This rebellion brought destruction and righteous judgment on them. But God would not forget His promise to them and their Fathers. Instead He would eventually provide a King who would rescue them, shepherd them, and build God’s Temple to be exalted over all the world. Instead of God’s people being under attack and seige, they would be in the center of God’s ruling kingdom. All the world will one day be subject to God and love Him. They will worship him and live in peace. God’s anointed king, from the line of David, will one day administrate God’s rule over all the Earth.

Resources Used:

The Book of the Twelve: Fuhr & Yates

Interpreting the Minor Prophets: Chisholm Jr.

The Theological Messages of the Old Testament: Robert Bell

The Lexham Bible Dictionary

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