Crying in Court

Read Micah 1.

The prophet Micah lived in Judah and wrote at about the same time as Isaiah.  His book is comprised of three messages of a legal case against God's people.  Though the impact caused him to deeply grieve over the judgment to come, the content did not originate from him.  This is "the word of the LORD" (v.1).  Micah only delivered what God said.

As the courtroom assembles, all people of the earth are called to listen to the case.  God is not only the judge, but He rises in verse two to be the witness against the accused.  In verses three and four, the All-powerful, Almighty God steps forward.  There will be no rebuttal witnesses and no defense.  The basis for the complaint against the defendants is based upon the Mosaic Covenant found in Deuteronomy 27-28.  If the people obeyed the LORD, they would be allowed to enjoy the benefits of God's promises to Abraham, including the promised land.  If they disobeyed, those blessings would be withheld and instead the nation would experience God's curse, or punishment.

First on trial was the northern kingdom of Israel.  Their ungodly leadership and rebellion against the LORD is well documented.  The capital of Samaria would be crushed, along with all the structures and symbols of their false worship.  The land will be cleansed of their idols and temples used to practice religious prostitution.  God used the Assyrian army to fulfill this prophecy in 722 B.C.

Second to face prosecution was the southern kingdom of Judah.  While Jerusalem maintained worship of God at the Temple, their leadership and national obedience proved to be hit and miss.  Judah is accused of acting like it's rebellious neighbor.  Again, the Assyrians will carry-out God's initial punishment against Judah.  The "conqueror" in verse 15 refers to the Assyrian king Sennacherib.

Such a message greatly affected Micah emotionally.  "For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked.  For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah." (vv.8-9).  Centuries later, the Apostle Paul expressed similar grief over the spiritual condition of the Jews.  "...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." (Romans 9:2-3)

Who are those people for whom we weep and pray for because they do not know the Savior?