Micah 6
6
Yahweh’s Indictment of Israel
1Now listen to what Yahweh says:
“Stand up and state your case. # 6:1 The reading “state your case” translates the Hebrew verb rib. Micah 6:1–5 constitutes what Old Testament scholars call a “rib-oracle”—that is, a “covenant lawsuit.” The Hebrew term rib occurs as both a verb and a noun. In a number of contexts, the verb rib carries the meaning “to conduct [or mount] a legal case [or lawsuit] against someone.” As a noun, rib denotes a “lawsuit,” “[legal] charge/case,” plus other synonymous terms. The essential significance of such an oracle in this context is that Yahweh was launching a formal legal indictment against his people Israel for their violation of the divine covenant law. The assumed setting for such a divine legal prosecution is the heavenly courtroom. In addition, there is the significance of the canonical prophet functioning as a divinely appointed prosecuting attorney, pleading Yahweh’s case against his wayward people. Micah fulfilled this role here, formally, in ch. 6, and it may also be argued that he executed this role informally throughout his entire prophetic work. The same may be said for the prophet Hosea, who participated in another rib-oracle against Israel in Hos. 4–5. For similar uses of the term rib, see Ex. 23:2–3; Deut. 25:1; Jer. 25:31.
The mountains will be your witnesses, # 6:1 In vv. 1–5, God convenes his courtroom and summons the age-old mountains to be the witnesses to Israel’s waywardness. God often met with his people on mountains (Sinai, Nebo, Ebal, Gerizim, Zion, Carmel, Calvary).
so let the hills hear your defense. # 6:1 Or “your voice.”
2Listen, mountains, to Yahweh’s accusation;
pay attention, you enduring foundations of the earth,
for I, Yahweh, have an indictment against my people,
and I will prosecute my case against Israel.
3My people, what have I done to deserve your neglect?
How have I made you tired of me? Answer me!
4Did I not rescue you from Egypt
and ransom you from slavery? # 6:4 Or “the house of slavery.”
I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you. # 6:4 Israel was led out of slavery, in part, by a woman—Miriam. She was the older sister of Moses and a prophetess. See Ex. 15:20; (Talmud) Megillah 14a. Another “Miriam” had a role in leading us out of our former slavery to sin, for the mother of Jesus was named Miriam (Mary).
5Please remember this, my people:
King Balak of Moab planned to curse you,
and how did the prophet Balaam son of Beor answer him? # 6:5 See Num. 22–24.
He spoke Yahweh’s blessing over you!
Remember how I parted the Jordan
so that you could cross over from Acacia to Gilgal. # 6:5 This sentence in Hebrew reads simply: “From Shittim [Acacia] to Gilgal.” Shittim is short for Abel Shittim (Hb. ʾabel hashshittim), which translates to “Acacia meadow.” Most scholars see a lacuna, a gap, in the Hebrew text here. The obvious inference is a reference to the miracle-crossing of the Jordan so that Israel could go from her last camp in the wilderness (Acacia) to her first camp in the promised land (Gilgal; see Josh. 3:1–4:19).
Now you should know through all my saving acts
that I have treated you fairly.” # 6:5 Or “righteously.”
Micah’s Response
6What should I bring when I enter Yahweh’s presence
and bow down before God Most High?
Should I approach him with burnt offerings,
with year-old calves to sacrifice?
7Will he be pleased with thousands of rams
and with endless streams of olive oil?
Should I offer him my firstborn for my wrongdoing,
my own offspring for the sins of my life? # 6:7 Or “soul.” The Hebrew term nepesh has a very broad semantic range. Possible meanings can include “life,” “soul,” “living being,” “self,” “person,” “desire,” “appetite,” “emotion,” or “passion,” all with various shades of meanings.
8No! Listen, O Adam’s offspring,
Yahweh has made it plain to you what is best.
He has shown you what he really is longing for from you—
only to promote justice, # 6:8 Or “to act from a sense of wise [discerning] justice.” to love kindness, # 6:8 Or “to [demonstrate] unfailing love [mercy].” This is the almost untranslatable Hebrew word chesed (or hesed), which includes the meanings of “loyalty,” “goodness,” “kindness,” “mercy,” “faithfulness,” “love,” “graciousness,” and more. Many commentators view Mic. 6:8 as one of the greatest sayings in all the Old Testament. See Mark 12:32–33.
and to walk humbly with your God.
Yahweh’s Punishment
9Yahweh’s voice is calling out to the city. # 6:9 See Prov. 1:20–21.
Wise is the one who fears the name of Yahweh.
“So pay attention, O tribe,
to the one who called you together! # 6:9 The Hebrew of this sentence is uncertain.
10Can I overlook the treasures that fill the homes
of evil people who cheated others?
They use false measures, which I despise. # 6:10 The Hebrew of v. 10 is uncertain.
11Do you really expect me to forgive those who cheat others
with a bag of wrong weights and dishonest scales?
12The wealthy are steeped in violence, # 6:12 The Hebrew word for violence is chamas (or hamas, in an alternate transliteration style). This implies more than just physical violence. It also involves economic coercion or force. The powerful often seek a monopoly on the use of force.
and the people are liars and speak deceitfully. # 6:12 See Ps. 116:10–11; Rom. 3:4.
13As for me, I will deal you a crippling blow
to ruin you for your sins.
14You will eat but not be satisfied;
you will still be hungry. # 6:14 Or “your filth is inside you.” The Hebrew verb form yeshacha is a hapax legomenon, found only here in the Scriptures. Consequently, Old Testament scholarship recognizes that there is no way to ascertain the true meaning of this term.
You will acquire but save nothing
because what you save,
I will send your enemies to destroy.
15You will plant crops but not reap a harvest,
press olives for its oil and never be able to rub it on yourselves,
and tread grapes but never drink the wine.
16For you live by the standards of the dynasty of Omri # 6:16 Omri ruled the Northern Kingdom of Israel from 885 to 874 BC, and his son Ahab followed him from 874 to 853 BC. The Omride dynasty held the throne longer than any other family in the Northern Kingdom, yet they were outstanding for their wickedness.
and follow the evil ways of Ahab and his household. # 6:16 Or “the house [family] of Ahab.” Ahab and his wife Queen Jezebel encouraged people to worship foreign gods. See 1 Kings 16:23–24; 21:25–26. Ahab’s evil sons ruled after him, first Ahaziah, then Jehoram. See also 1 Kings 22:52; 2 Kings 3:2. Micah’s ministry began more than one hundred years after the Omride dynasty ended.
Because you walk after their example,
you force me to make an example out of you!
I will hand you over to ruin
and make you a laughingstock among the nations.
People everywhere will treat you with contempt.”
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Micah 6: TPT
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