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Micah 1

16 verses

TL;DR

Micah declares God’s impending judgment against Samaria and Jerusalem, describing their destruction and the sorrow of the people.

Summary

Micah’s first chapter opens with the prophet receiving a vision of the Lord’s wrath during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The Lord’s message is addressed to all people and the earth itself, declaring that God will descend from His holy temple and bring judgment upon the high places of the earth. The text then enumerates the sins of Jacob and the house of Israel, especially the idolatry of Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah proclaims that the cities will be reduced to heaps of stones and that idols will be smashed and burned. The chapter continues with vivid lamentations, describing the people’s naked grief and the inescapable wound that has come to Judah. Specific towns and cities are named as examples of those affected, and the narrative ends with a call for repentance and the promise of future deliverance.

Outline
  1. Divine judgment announced to all peoples and the earth
  2. Description of destruction of Samaria, Jerusalem, and other cities
  3. Lamentation, specific towns cited, and hope of deliverance
Themes
Divine judgment and sovereigntyIdolatry and transgressionLamentation and hope
Keywords
judgmentidolatrytransgressionSamariaJerusalemlamentationdestroyed foundationshigh placeswailing
People
MicahJothamAhazHezekiah
Places
SamariaJerusalemGathAphrahSaphirZaananBethezelMarothLachishMoreshethgathAchzibMareshahAdullam
Things
high placesgraven imagesstonesidolsfirewailingmourningdestroyed foundations
Key Verses
  • Micah 1:1: Introduction of the prophetic message and historical context.
  • Micah 1:4: Vivid description of the earth’s destruction under God's judgment.
  • Micah 1:6: Specific pronouncement of Samaria’s ruin.
  • Micah 1:8: Expression of communal lament and mourning.
Questions
  • What does Micah’s description of the earth’s destruction reveal about his view of divine judgment?
  • How do the specific cities mentioned illustrate the broader theme of Israel’s transgression?
  • In what ways does Micah balance calls for repentance with promises of deliverance?
  • What is the significance of addressing the entire earth in this prophetic vision?
  • How does the imagery of “wailing like dragons” and “mourning like owls” deepen the sense of lament?
  • What lessons can contemporary believers draw from Micah’s condemnation of idolatry?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter conveys a harsh judgment and deep sorrow, but also hints at eventual hope.