Read Micah 1
Background: Reading the opening chapter of Micah is like walking into a courtroom where a trial is just getting underway. God the Judge is presiding and giving his charge to the Jury, made up of the nations of the world. He Himself is also the prosecutor presenting all the charges and evidence against the accused: the peoples of Israel and Judah. They were guilty of idolatry and all the immorality and injustice that brought with it. Not only did God announce the charges and evidence, He also elaborated on the punishment such a crime deserved.
Key Verses:
8 For this I will lament and wail;
I will go stripped and naked;
I will make lamentation like the jackals,
and mourning like the ostriches.
9 For her wound is incurable,
and it has come to Judah;
it has reached to the gate of my people,
I will go stripped and naked;
I will make lamentation like the jackals,
and mourning like the ostriches.
9 For her wound is incurable,
and it has come to Judah;
it has reached to the gate of my people,
to Jerusalem.
Thoughts: Even though God was the rightful judge and well within His rights to demand justice, He was not at all vindictive. He was in mourning that it was necessary to bring these things to court and demand that the defendant "serve his time." He was also saddened that having seen Israel suffer for her sin, Judah was following down the same path. In the remainder of the chapter, God instructs the towns of Judah not to come to the aid of, mourn for, or feel sorry for Israel. Instead, they should learn their lesson and repent.
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