Read & explore together
Judgment to Come
Micah 1:1–7 opens a prophecy of coming judgment. It names the prophet and the cities concerned, calls the whole earth to listen, describes Yahweh’s arrival in power, and explains why Samaria’s idols and wealth will be destroyed.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The word comes to Micah of Morasheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Micah says he saw this message concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. In these verses, Yahweh speaks as witness and judge against the sin of his people.
Micah 1:1–7Main takeaway
Micah 1:1–7 teaches that Yahweh sees his people’s sin and announces judgment against their rebellious centres and their idols.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Micah names the message and its subjectThe passage begins by identifying this as Yahweh’s word to Micah of Morasheth. It is also something Micah “saw”, fitting prophetic language.
Explanation
The passage begins by identifying this as Yahweh’s word to Micah of Morasheth. It is also something Micah “saw”, fitting prophetic language. The verse places the message in the days of three kings of Judah and states clearly that it concerns Samaria and Jerusalem.
02All are called to hear Yahweh’s caseMicah calls all peoples, and even the earth and all in it, to listen. The Lord Yahweh is presented as witness from his holy temple.
Explanation
Micah calls all peoples, and even the earth and all in it, to listen. The Lord Yahweh is presented as witness from his holy temple. Then the prophecy pictures him coming down in such power that mountains melt and valleys split, showing the seriousness of his judgment.
03The sin is named and Samaria’s idols are judgedYahweh says this judgment is for the disobedience of Jacob and the sins of Israel. Samaria and Jerusalem are named as centres of that guilt.
Explanation
Yahweh says this judgment is for the disobedience of Jacob and the sins of Israel. Samaria and Jerusalem are named as centres of that guilt. Samaria will become a rubble heap, its foundations uncovered, and its idols, gifts, and images destroyed, with verse 7 linking them to unfaithful gain.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details in Micah 1:1 show that this prophecy has a clear source and clear subject?
Look for who speaks, who receives the word, and which cities the message concerns.
02How do Micah 1:2–4 describe Yahweh’s coming?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Micah 1:1–7
1Yahweh’s word that came to Micah of Morasheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
2Hear, you peoples, all of you! Listen, O earth, and all that is therein. Let the Lord Yahweh be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
3For behold, Yahweh comes out of his place, and will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.
4The mountains melt under him, and the valleys split apart like wax before the fire, like waters that are poured down a steep place.
5“All this is for the disobedience of Jacob, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the disobedience of Jacob? Isn’t it Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Aren’t they Jerusalem?
6Therefore I will make Samaria like a rubble heap of the field, like places for planting vineyards; and I will pour down its stones into the valley, and I will uncover its foundations.
7All her idols will be beaten to pieces, all her temple gifts will be burned with fire, and I will destroy all her images; for of the hire of a prostitute has she gathered them, and to the hire of a prostitute shall they return.”