Micah 1:1-7

1 The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

2 Hear, you peoples, all of you, 

listen, earth and all who live in it, 

that the Sovereign LORD may witness against you, 

the Lord from his holy temple.

3 Look! The LORD is coming from his dwelling place;
he comes down and treads on the heights of the earth.

4 The mountains melt beneath him 

and the valleys split apart, 

like wax before the fire, 

like water rushing down a slope.

5 All this is because of Jacob's transgression, 

because of the sins of the house of Israel. 

What is Jacob's transgression? 

Is it not Samaria? 

What is Judah's high place? 

Is it not Jerusalem?

6 "Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble, 

a place for planting vineyards. 

I will pour her stones into the valley 

and lay bare her foundations.

7 All her idols will be broken to pieces; 

all her temple gifts will be burned with fire; 

I will destroy all her images. 

Since she gathered her gifts from the wages of prostitutes, 

as the wages of prostitutes they will again be used."

Questions to consider:

• Visualize verses 2-7. Characterize God as portrayed here.
• What will happen to (a) nature and (b) the capitals of the northern and southern kingdoms?
• Imagine everyday life in Judah and Samaria. What do you think their reactions were to such judgment?
• What authority does the prophet have to give his message?

Possibilities for prayer:

I really like the way in which the Lord’s arrival is described. The images of mountains melting and valleys splitting give our minds an opportunity to begin to grasp the greatness of God. Let’s take some time to think about images that help us understand the overwhelming power and majesty of God, and pray into those. Use these next several minutes to really try to express, as much as possible, the overwhelming-ness of God.