Micah was a prophet during a very critical time for both Israel and Judah. He mostly served the nation of Judah and his ministry spanned over the kings of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The Assyrian invasions would take place first on Israel but eventually would make their way to Judah. A lot of Micah’s predictions center around warning Judah of a national disaster that is looming.
The leaders of Jerusalem were confident that they would not be overtaken because of the presence and protection of their holy temple. Micah would be the one called upon by God to confront this arrogant attitude and align their allegiance back to the Lord. This destruction that Micah warned of would be delayed by God until 586 BC when finally the Babylonians would level the city. This delay can only be attributed to God’s mercy.
Sometimes we skim over passages without realizing the detail and meaning behind the words. Using creative wordplays, Micah would warn to cities of Judah that destruction was coming.
You people of Shaphir, go into exile, naked and ashamed. Those who live in Zaanan do not dare to come out of their city. When you hear the people of Bethezel mourn, you will know that there is no refuge there.
Micah 1:11 GNB
Shaphir means “beautiful” which is why Micah predicts the city will be naked. Instead of beauty, the people would experience shame. Zaanan means “to go forth” but no one would dare venture out of their city once it was destroyed. Bethezel means “neighbor’s house” but as Micah predicts, there will be no refuge there.
The people of Maroth anxiously wait for relief, because the LORD has brought disaster close to Jerusalem.
Micah 1:12 GNB
Jerusalem is a name that suggests “peace” but Micah predicts just the opposite. There would be nothing but disaster. Why was God so furious? His judgment stems from the rampant idol worship that tore the people’s hearts away from Him. Even the capital cities of Jerusalem and Samaria had embraced such wicked idolatry.
The reminder for us is that God is a jealous God. He is jealous for us because He loves us. Who could possibly know more about what we actually need than the One who created us and called us by name before we were even born? The Lord is righteous and full of truth but His mercy extends to those who embrace repentance.
