029. V. Later Sermons Mourning Judah’s Degeneracy (6:1-7:6)

V LATER SERMONS MOURNING JUDAH’S DEGENERACY (Micah 6:1toMicah 7:6) 1. The Human and the Divine Conception of True Religion (Micah 6:1-8) The mountains summoned to hear the controversy between Jehovah and his people (Micah 6:1-2). O people of Judah, listen to the word of Jehovah. He summons you to defend yourself against his charges in the presence of the mountains. O everlasting hills and enduring foundations of the earth, as intelligent witnesses, he calls upon you to hear the controversy.

Jehovah’s accusation of Israel’s ungratefulness (Micah 6:3-5). O my people, what complaint have you against me? In what respect have I burdened you? How can you turn away from me without excuse, when you remember how I delivered you from cruel bondage in the land of Egypt, gave you illustrious leaders, brought to nought through Balaam, the seer, the crafty designs of Balak, the Moabitish king, and manifested my righteous and friendly purpose on both sides of the Jordan?^{[34] [34]} “From Shittim unto Gilgal” is regarded by many scholars as a gloss. The reply of the conscience-smitten but ignorant people (Micah 6:6-7). O Jehovah, we cannot but admit our guilt, we have forgotten and neglected thee. How can we make our peace! Shall we present ourselves in the temple? Shall we bring more valuable beasts for the burnt offering? Will it please thee if we offer rams by thousands and oil in rivers? Shall we make our last and costliest gift—our first-born son? Will such devotion win thy blessing and expiate our sin? The prophet’s answer (Micah 6:8). O my people, you need not have been in such ignorance of Jehovah’s desire. None of these things doth he really require of you. They have no moral value in themselves. What he demands, as an evidence that you desire to serve him, is that you practice strict justice in all your dealings, cherish a spirit of sincere love toward your fellow-men, and obey his revealed will in quiet trustfulness.

2. Jehovah’s Complaint against Jerusalem (Micah 6:9-16) The prophet summons the city to listen (Micah 6:9). Hearken, people of Jerusalem, Jehovah has a message to your city. Wise is the man who listens with reverence. Listen, O nation of Judah, and you who are responsible for its well-being.^{[35] [35]} An obscure verse. The emendation would read “Hear ye, O tribe and its assembly (?)”

Jehovah denounces her as a city of false dealing (Micah 6:10-12). Can I longer, saith Jehovah, overlook the amassing of wealth by fraud? Can I withhold justly deserved punishment from those who use scant measures and trade with lying scales and weights? The city is given over to evil deeds; her rich men think only of the wrongs they may commit with impunity; her people can utter only lies. Her punishment will be a siege (Micah 6:13-15). In such circumstances I am forced to do that which will help you to repent So grievous is your sin that my judgment must be terrible. An army I will set about the city. You shall suffer the horrors of a siege, the lack of sufficient food, the impossibility of escape, the capture of the property you try to save, and the confiscation of your harvests.

Well deserved because of her attitude (Micah 6:16). For your ideals and methods in religious and political affairs are those of the dynasty of Omri. Its sacrifice of all other considerations to its selfish ambition for power and splendor was the secret of its bloody end. Since you have this same ambition, it will just as certainly bring to you overwhelming ruin,—as captives, you will be the butt for the jests of strangers.^[36][36] With a slight alteration reading, with the Greek version, “nations” for “my people.” This gives a natural sense.

3. The Lament of Righteous Jerusalem (Micah 7:1-6) Her lack of truly righteous citizens (Micah 7:1-4 ^a). Alas! I am like a garden after the fruit has been gathered, or a vineyard where only gleanings remain. There is nothing left worth picking. My choicest citizens, the earnest, loyal, generous, and good men in whom I would rejoice, are no more. Every one considers his neighbor as his lawful prey, and hesitates at no crime to gain his end. The leaders of the people conspire together for evil. The best of them are like thorns,—useless except to inflict pain. The prophet’s comment (Micah 7:4-6). The day of reckoning, which thy prophets foresaw, O city, cannot be far distant It will be a day of dismay and confusion. No one will know whom they can trust. All the usual bonds of friendliness and kinship will go for naught Not even will one rely on his wife and children.