God Will Punish Samaria and Judah

Micah wrote to warn Israel of God's impending judgment upon the people of for breaking His covenant and turning to idolatry. He likewise gave a similar warning to Judah. They were just as guilty as Israel and would be judged on the same terms. God's justice and love are observed as He disciplined the nations and His own people. The prophet also gave proof that God is concerned about the spiritual restoration of His people. He is willing to receive them back if they repent. Micah pictured God as the sovereign Lord of the earth that controls the destinies of heathen nations and of His own people, Israel.

God is a living God but many people pay no attention to Him. His coming judgment on these nations should be an example to the entire world. He came down and crushed underfoot every pagan altar. The pagan altars were called "high places." His judgment is described in the words, "And the mountains shall melt under Him and the valleys shall be cleft like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place." The Bible says of Hezekiah, "He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses." (2 Kings 18:4-6) God will come to punish sin and the nations should tremble.

The Lord's word concerning Jacob -- Micah 1:5-7: God's judgment was coming because "of the terrible sins of Israel, the descendants of Jacob. Samaria had led Israel to sin, and pagan altars at Jerusalem have made Judah sin. "The idol worship of Samaria was the ruin of the nation. God’s prophet boldly accused Israel of breaking their covenant with God. The leaders of the nation had not led the people to serve God. The leaders of the southern kingdom were also wicked. They and the nation lived in opposition to God. Israel had made an agreement to obey God but they did not keep their covenant.

The Lord promised to leave Samaria in ruins. It would be like an empty field where vineyards are planted. It would become just a heap of rubbish. God promised to throw down all their houses and to break all their images into pieces. He had been like a husband for Israel and Israel had acted like a spiritual prostitute. They had left the one true God to worship and serve all kinds of false gods. The result of serving these gods was that Israel made images and did all kinds of evil and sinful things. The Assyria army would take away Israel into captivity and claim her wealth for her own.

Micah likewise felt deep pain that the Assyrians would rejoice in their victory over Israel. These people would be taken away in nakedness and shame. Their enemies would have no concern for them. Their God cared and they did not even appreciate His concern. No one would step forward to neither assist Israel nor protect Judah. Trouble would come instead of any good news. The people became bitter and had no hope. These people hope for peace and help and none would come because they had left God. God would use the wicked nation of Assyria to carry out His judgment against His people.

God's nature demands anger against sin -- Micah 1:13-16: God said, "Get the war chariots ready, you people of Lachish. You led Jerusalem into sin, just as Israel did." Lachish was a strong city about four miles from Micha's home. The army that was there, even with their strong chariots, could not defend the land against the Assyrians. The army of Assyria was being sent by God to punishment His disobedient people. The people in Lachish had trusted in the army instead of God. Now the army will provide no help. In our own self-centeredness we forget about our need for God. As a result of God's judgment upon them Lachish will have nothing left.