←Micah 6→BSB

In This Chapter 11 people 9 places 69 terms 1 resource

People

Aaron 4 Miriam 2 Beor 2 Omri 2 Ahab 2 Israel Jacob (Patriarch) Jeshurun (Israel) Moses Balak Balaam

Places

    Key Terms

    Sin 5 Sound Wisdom 5 To Redeem (Deliver) 3 Burnt Offering 3 Rebellion (Offense) 3 Love 2 Deceit (Act) 2 Deceit (Deception) 2 Redeem To Redeem (Liberate) Redemption (Right) To Redeem (Substitute) Let Be Redeemed Redemption (Deliverance) Offering Gift (Tribute) Sin Offering Peace Offering Offering Made by Fire Offering (Contribution) Drink-Offering Guilt-Offering Sacrifice (Offering) Wave-Offering Voluntary Offering Gift (Offering) Dedication (Ceremony) Offer Sacrifice Sacrifice (Act) Sacrifice (Ritual) Whole Burnt Offering Offering (Special) Offering (Voluntary) Sin Offering (Guilt Removal) Rebel (Act) Be Rebellious Rebel (Against Authority) Rebellion Rebelliousness To Sin Guilt (State) Transgression Sin (Act) Sin (Incur Guilt) Guilty (Responsible) Guilt (Consequence) Guiltiness Trespass (Sin) Sinful Sin (Offense) To Stand Guilty Sin (Guilty) Sin (Wrongdoing) Guilty Considered Guilty Guilty Of Sin Previously Sin Against To Love Love (Appreciation) Kindness (Solidarity) Be Kind Kindness (Benevolence) Kindness (Graciousness) Kindness (Affection) Deceive Deceit (Betrayal) Laziness Deceit (Covert)

    Resources

    Courts and Trials Articles

    The Case against Israel

    ⓘ The Lord presented, argued, and decided the case...

    The Lord presented, argued, and decided the case against his rebellious people, Israel. This section is formally presented as a legal court case (cp. Isa 1:2–4; Jer 2:4–9; Hos 4). Using the scenario of the courtroom, the Lord challenged his people to state their case against him, for he had a case against them (Mic 6:1–5)—they had not fulfilled his requirements (6:6–8), so they were guilty (6:9–12). The guilty verdict is followed by Israel’s sentencing (6:13–16).
    ⓘ mountains and hills: All creation is called as...

    mountains and hills: All creation is called as a witness (cp. Josh 24:27); in other ancient Near Eastern treaties, the gods of the respective countries were called as witnesses.

    1Hear now what the LORD says:

    “Arise, plead your case before the mountains,and let the hills hear your voice.2Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment,you enduring foundations of the earth.For the LORD has a case against His people,and He will argue it against Israel:
    3‘My people, what have I done to you?Testify against Me how I have wearied you!
    ⓘ The Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt...
    • The Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt and had preserved them and blessed them throughout their journey to the Promised Land. God encouraged and warned Israel always to remember what he had done for them from Sinai onward (Exod 3:15; Deut 5:15; Pss 77:11; 111:4; see also Pss 78, 136).
    • Balak . . . Balaam: (see Num 22–24).
    • Acacia Grove, located on the east of the Jordan River, was Israel’s base camp before entering the Promised Land (see Num 25:1; Josh 2:1; 3:1). The trip from there to Gilgal (west of the Jordan River) bears witness to God’s covenant faithfulness. God’s saving acts brought the Israelites into the Promised Land.
    4For I brought you up from the land of Egyptand redeemed you from the house of slavery.I sent Moses before you,as well as Aaron and Miriam.5My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseledand what Balaam son of Beor answered.Remember your journey from Shittim† to Gilgal,so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
    ⓘ Israel’s case was hopeless, but they queried the...

    Israel’s case was hopeless, but they queried the Lord as to how they could placate or please him. The proffered items are listed in a crescendo of significance, from calves to rams and olive oil to firstborn children. None of this was sufficient or acceptable to God, who judges the heart (1 Sam 15:22; 16:7; Jer 17:9).
    6With what shall I come before the LORDwhen I bow before the God on high?Should I come to Him with burnt offerings,with year-old calves?7Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,with ten thousand rivers of oil?Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression,the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
    8He has shown you, O man, what is good.And what does the LORD require of youbut to act justly, to love mercy,and to walk humbly with your God?

    The Punishment of Israel

    ⓘ People in Jerusalem were here invited to learn...

    People in Jerusalem were here invited to learn the lesson from Samaria: If you oppress others in order to have an abundance for yourself (6:10–12), you will never have enough however much you get (6:13–15), and eventually you will lose even that (6:16). It is fitting for such people to become an object of scorn, not to receive honor and adulation (6:16).
    9The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name):“Heed the rodand the One who ordained it.
    ⓘ The Lord had specific accusations against his people....

    The Lord had specific accusations against his people. They had become a community of deceit that was ripe for rejection and destruction. Falsely acquired wealth, unethical business practices, threats, and violence characterized this supposed people of God (see 2 Kgs 6:25; Hos 12:7–8; Amos 8:5–6). They could not change, because lying was their way of life (cp. Prov 6:16–19). Israel was completely corrupt.
    10Can I forget any longer,O house of the wicked,the treasures of wickednessand the short ephah, which is accursed?11Can I excuse dishonest scalesor bags of false weights?12For the wealthy of the cityare full of violence,and its residents speak lies;their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.
    ⓘ I will wound you! This phrase introduces all...

    I will wound you! This phrase introduces all of the curses that God had promised to bring upon the disobedient and rebellious people of Israel (see Deut 28:15–68).
    13Therefore I am striking you severely,to ruin you because of your sins.14You will eat but not be satisfied,and your hunger will remain with you.What you acquire, you will not preserve;and what you save, I will give to the sword.15You will sow but not reap;you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil;you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.16You have kept the statutes of Omriand all the practices of Ahab’s house;you have followed their counsel.Therefore I will make you a desolation,and your inhabitants an object of contempt;you will bear the scorn of the nations.”†