Mic 7 | MHM | STEP | The Sins of the People This section describes a time of great moral decline among God’s people. The prophet Micah is deeply troubled because he sees so few good people left. Even though he may have lived during the reign of Hezekiah, when some reforms happened, Micah still saw much wickedness. He feels alone, like the only one who cares about what is right. He sees corruption everywhere: in society, among leaders, and even within families. This makes him long for the “good old days” when people were more honest and faithful to God. v. 1 : Micah cries out, Woe is me! He feels sad because there are so few good people left in the land. It is as hard to find a truly upright person as it is to find summer fruit after the harvest has ended. Just as only a few grapes are left behind after picking, only a few godly people can be found (Isaiah 17:6 ). Micah wishes he could see people as good and faithful as those from earlier generations. He mourns the loss of honesty and true faith.

‏ Micah 7

The Sins of the People

This section describes a time of great moral decline among God’s people. The prophet Micah is deeply troubled because he sees so few good people left. Even though he may have lived during the reign of Hezekiah, when some reforms happened, Micah still saw much wickedness. He feels alone, like the only one who cares about what is right. He sees corruption everywhere: in society, among leaders, and even within families. This makes him long for the “good old days” when people were more honest and faithful to God.

v. 1: Micah cries out, Woe is me! He feels sad because there are so few good people left in the land. It is as hard to find a truly upright person as it is to find summer fruit after the harvest has ended. Just as only a few grapes are left behind after picking, only a few godly people can be found (Isaiah 17:6 ^a). Micah wishes he could see people as good and faithful as those from earlier generations. He mourns the loss of honesty and true faith.

v. 2: There are not just few good people, but many who do evil. People are violent and greedy, lying in wait for blood and trying to trap their own brothers for profit. They act like hunters, using tricks to harm even their closest relatives. Everyone works hard at doing wrong and finds new ways to cheat and hurt others.

v. 3: Even the leaders and judges are corrupt. The prince and judge accept bribes to do evil, and rich people use their power to get what they want. Together, they twist and confuse justice. Even the best and most upright people are compared to briers or thorn bushes—dangerous to deal with (2 Samuel 23:6,7 ^b). When even the best are so bad, God’s punishment is sure to come. The prophets, or watchmen, have warned about this coming day of judgment.

v. 4: When things get this bad, you cannot trust anyone. Friends are not trustworthy. Even a guide or someone close might betray you. Micah warns people to be careful about what they say, even in their own homes. Sometimes, even your own wife may not be safe to trust (Ecclesiastes 10:20 ^c).

v. 5: Micah continues, saying that children disrespect their parents and families are filled with conflict. Sons dishonor their fathers, daughters rise up against mothers, and daughters-in-law fight with mothers-in-law. Instead of safety and love, there is betrayal and trouble, even within the family. Jesus spoke of such times, when a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household (Matthew 10:4; Luke 21:16 ^d). When people turn against their own families, it is a sign of deep moral decay.

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Seeking Comfort in God; The Sins of the People

After describing how terrible the times are, the prophet Micah tries to find comfort in God. Even though the people are sinful and the situation looks hopeless, he knows there is still hope if people turn to God. Micah teaches that when everything seems lost on earth, believers should trust in God, wait for His help, and be patient through hard times. He looks forward to the day when God will save and restore His people, even after punishment and trouble.

v. 7: Micah says, I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Even though things are bad, he does not give up. He decides to trust God and pray, believing that God will answer. When friends and leaders fail, God remains faithful. If people are unkind, God is gracious. In hard times, the best thing to do is turn to God for help.

v. 8: Micah tells his enemies not to rejoice over him when he falls. He says, When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Even if he is in trouble or feels lost, he believes God will lift him up and guide him out of darkness. God will comfort, teach, and direct him, even when everything seems hopeless (Psalm 37:24 ^e).

v. 9: Micah admits that God is angry because of the people's sins. He says, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. He chooses to be patient and accept God’s discipline, knowing it is deserved. But he also trusts that God will defend him, bring justice, and lead him back into the light. In the end, he will see God’s fairness and faithfulness (Psalm 37:6; Isaiah 58:10 ^f).

v. 10: Micah remembers how enemies mock God’s people, saying, Where is the Lord your God? But he is sure that one day, these enemies will be ashamed when they see God rescue His people. The enemies will fall, just as they once hoped Israel would fall (Psalm 42:10; Psalm 115:2 ^g).

v. 11: God promises that one day the walls of Jerusalem will be rebuilt. Even if the land stays empty for a long time because of sin, when God decides, He will bring restoration. The city will have strong walls and protection again (Isaiah 44:28 ^h).

v. 12: In that time, people will return to Israel from far away— from Assyria, from fortified cities, and from distant mountains and seas. No matter how far God’s people have been scattered, He will gather them back together when the time is right.

v. 13: Before this restoration, the land will remain desolate because of the sins of the people who live there. The punishment will last for a while, but it will teach everyone that God hates sin, even among His own people (Psalm 107:34 ⁱ).

Encouraging Prospects; Encouraging Promises

This section is full of hope for God’s people after a time of trouble. The prophet prays for God to care for His people like a shepherd cares for his flock. He asks God to bring them back from their lonely and scattered places and to bless them as in the past. God answers with promises of amazing things—greater even than the miracles of the past. The nations will be amazed and humbled. The prophet ends by praising God for His mercy, forgiveness, and faithfulness to His promises.

v. 14: The prophet prays, asking God to take care of His people, the flock of your heritage. He calls them sheep living alone in the forest, far from home and in danger. He asks God to feed and protect them, even while they are scattered. He also prays that God will bring them back to their own land, to places like Bashan and Gilead, where they once enjoyed peace and plenty. This prayer is for God to be their shepherd again, just as He was in the old days.

v. 15: God answers with a promise: I will show them marvellous things. He says He will do miracles for them, just like when He brought them out of Egypt. Their deliverance from captivity will be as wonderful as the miracles of the past. God’s help will be even greater than what they expect (Psalm 17:7; Jeremiah 16:14-15 ^j).

v. 16: The nations around will see what God does and be amazed. Those who once mocked and looked down on God’s people will be ashamed and silent. They will be so surprised that they will cover their mouths and not know what to say. Their ears will be deaf because they are so shocked by God’s power.

v. 17: The enemies of God’s people will be humbled. They will lick the dust like a serpent and come out of their hiding places in fear. They will be afraid of the Lord and respect His people. Even those who once opposed God will be forced to admit His greatness (Genesis 3:14; Psalm 72:9 ^k; Isaiah 49:23 ^l).

v. 18: The prophet praises God, saying, Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? God does not stay angry forever, but delights in showing mercy. Forgiveness is at the heart of all God’s blessings. There is no one like God in His willingness to forgive and show compassion (Psalm 85:1-2; Hebrews 8:12 ^m).

v. 19: God will have compassion again. He will subdue our iniquities and throw all our sins into the depths of the sea, never to be remembered again. God not only forgives, but also helps His people overcome sin. His mercy is new every day (Ezekiel 18:22 ⁿ).

v. 20: The prophet ends by trusting that God will keep His promises. He says, You will show faithfulness to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, as you swore to our fathers from days of old. God’s covenant is sure and will never fail. His truth and mercy last forever, just as He promised to Abraham and Jacob.