Commentary on
Micah 1:7-11
8 Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.
9 For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of My people, even to Jerusalem.
10 Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.
11 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; He shall receive of you His standing.
Commentary on 1:7 [22 May 2006]: What does it mean to have “gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot”? Is not connection with and trust in the world’s political and financial institutions “sleeping with the enemy,” when Yehuveh alone can defend and provide for the people He is restoring? Wealth and security gained from such dependence will indeed be restored to the benefactors, and those who have turned to harlotry for support will be removed. Once again Yehuveh will have people who “trust” solely “in the name of Yehuveh” and look solely to Him for safety, support, financial policy and guidance. Zephaniah 3:12.
Commentary on 1:9 [30 April 2006]: The decision to forfeit Yehuveh’s gift of territory and homeland marks an irreverence which will never be reversed. Yehuveh’s only choice will be to remove this leadership and most of the present population and begin again with a “an afflicted and poor people” who will “trust in the name of Yehuveh.” Zephaniah 3:12.
Commentary on 1:10-15 [28 April 2006]: Though I don’t agree with all that Wycliffe states concerning this passage, his comments are insightful. From the little he notes here, it is clear that almost all of the message has been lost in translation! “Note, beginning with verse 10, that the listing of the cities shows the route of the invader. Whereas the first five cities are north of Jerusalem, [This comment implies invasion from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, or Russia, but the present indications are that it will come from Iran, to the east. Furthermore, even in this analysis he misses, for the very first city, Gath, is southwest!] the last five are southwest or south of the city. The prophet, in oratorical style, names the cities according to the sound of their names as well as according to meaning. Not only Jerusalem, but also the surrounding locations would suffer. In Gath (gat) do not announce it (taggidu). In Beth-le-Aphrah (House of dust) in dust I have rolled myself. Both were heathen cities. The prophet dreaded the outpouring of the scorn of these people when they should learn of the sin and consequent punishment of those who were called the people of Jehovah. To roll in dust signified abject and intense mourning.
“11. Dweller is feminine in form. Micah foresees the women of these doomed cities pass before the men. In nakedness and shame they will go into captivity, and the men will be powerless to help against the might of the enemy. In 1:6 the prophet introduces the prophecy against Samaria. In 1:11 the punishment upon Judah is without an introductory statement. The female dweller of Zaanan (Outlet) shall not go out, i.e., out of the house. She will be in terror because of the coming invader. Wailing of Beth-ezel (House of Separation) shall take away from you his stay or strength. This town, which was probably fortified, would be expected to help resist the invader. But its people would lament over the suffering of others until their strength would be gone.
Gael Bataman
Originally Written: 28 April 2006
Latest Update: 15 October 2007
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