God's Case Against Israel
Study note
God puts Israel on trial with the mountains and hills as witnesses. In a deeply emotional appeal, God asks his people what he has done to burden them. He reminds them of how he brought them out of slavery in Egypt, sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead them, and protected them from the schemes of King Balak of Moab and the false prophet Balaam.
1 Listen to what the LORD has to say: "Stand up and lay out your case before the mountains. Let the hills hear your arguments." Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
2 Mountains, listen to the LORD's complaint! Pay attention, you ancient foundations of the earth! The LORD is pressing charges against his people. He is taking Israel to court. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
3 "My people, what did I ever do to you? How did I wear you out? Tell me!" O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
4 "I brought you up from the land of Egypt. I freed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you." For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5 "My people, think back! Remember what King Balak of Moab tried to do, and how Balaam son of Beor answered him. Remember your journey from Shittim all the way to Gilgal. Then you will understand all the ways I fought for you." O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
What the LORD Requires
Study note
The people respond by asking what kind of sacrifice God wants. Should they bring burnt offerings? Thousands of rams? Rivers of olive oil? Even their firstborn children? God's answer is one of the most famous verses in the entire Old Testament. He does not want elaborate sacrifices. He wants his people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with him.
6 What should I bring when I come before the LORD? What should I offer when I bow before the God of heaven? Should I show up with burnt offerings or year-old calves? Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7 Would the LORD be happy with a thousand rams? With ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should I sacrifice my firstborn child to pay for my sin? Should I give up my own flesh and blood to make up for what I have done? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Israel's Dishonesty Condemned
Study note
God exposes the dishonest business practices of the wealthy. They use rigged scales and false weights to cheat people. The rich are full of violence and lies. Because of these sins, God will make them sick with punishment. They will eat but never be full. They will plant but never harvest. Micah also mentions the evil laws of Omri and Ahab, two of the most wicked kings of northern Israel.
9 The LORD's voice calls out to the city — anyone with sense will pay attention to it. Listen to the warning and to the one who sent it. The LORD's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
10 "Are there still stolen treasures hidden in the homes of the wicked? Are they still using dishonest measuring cups — something I hate?" Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable?
11 "Can I overlook people who use crooked scales and bags loaded with false weights?" Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?
12 "The wealthy people in this city are soaked in violence. Everyone tells lies, and their tongues drip with deception." For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
13 "So I have already started hitting you hard and tearing things apart because of your sins." Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.
14 "You will eat but your stomach will still feel empty. You will try to save your things, but nothing will be rescued. Whatever you do manage to hold on to, I will hand over to the sword." Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.
15 "You will plant crops but never get to harvest them. You will press olives but never use the oil. You will crush grapes but never taste the wine." Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.
16 "You have adopted all the wicked practices of King Omri and followed every bad example set by Ahab's family. You took their terrible advice. So I will turn you into a wasteland and make your people a laughingstock. You will bear the mockery of the nations." For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.