ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Micah 6

6:1–7:20 The Lord’s Indictment and Restoration of His People. The Lord’s indictment against his people is delivered (6:1–8), and the crisis within the covenantal relationship is described (6:9–7:7). Micah expresses trust that the Lord will defend his people (7:8–13). The Lord will shepherd his flock with compassion (7:14–20).

Mic. 6:1–2 Hear (see also 1:2; 3:1). In this “covenant lawsuit,” Micah summons the participants to the trial: Israel, the Lord himself, and the entire created order. case . . . indictment. Words that suggest a legal proceeding (compare 7:9; Isa. 41:21; 50:8). Micah invites the Lord to present his case against the people. The jury consists of the mountains and the foundations of the earth.

Mic. 6:3 my people. The Lord presents his case. He reminds Israel of its covenantal relationship with him. Answer me! challenges the Israelites to prove their charge that the Lord has wronged them.

Mic. 6:4 I brought you up . . . redeemed you . . . sent before you. The Lord directed the events surrounding the exodus (compare Amos 3:1–2).

Mic. 6:5 The mention of Balak and Balaam (Numbers 22–24) reminds Israel that the Lord wants to bless rather than curse them. remember . . . that you may know. Faith is strengthened in the present by remembering God’s covenant-keeping deliverances in the past. The people of Israel crossed the Jordan from Shittim to Gilgal on the final portion of their journey (Joshua 2–4). At Shittim the covenant was broken (Num. 25:1–9), and at Gilgal it was renewed (Joshua 5).

Mic. 6:6–7 Lord . . . God on high. The covenantal Lord is also the transcendent God. Shall I give . . . ? The proposed sacrifices increase in value and absurdity, ending with an outrage (ten thousands of rivers of oil . . . my firstborn). Micah is exposing an attitude that wrongly sees sacrifice as an entry fee, rather than as an avenue for God to administer grace and forgiveness to the repentant (see note on Amos 4:4–5).

Mic. 6:8 The Lord wants his people to respond to his redemptive acts with justice, kindness, and faithfulness (walk humbly) (see Matt. 23:23; compare Deut. 10:12–13; Isa. 1:11–17). On the meaning of “justice,” see notes on Isa. 42:1; Jer. 22:3; Amos 5:7. your God. The complement to “my people” (Mic. 6:3, 5).

Mic. 6:9–7:7 The Lord’s “lawsuit” continues. The city and its people are indicted for specific crimes (6:9–12); the divine sentence is delivered (6:13–16); and the consequences are envisioned (7:1–6).

Mic. 6:9 the city. Probably Jerusalem and its inhabitants.

Mic. 6:10–11 treasures of wickedness . . . wicked scales. The Lord cannot tolerate his people’s gaining wealth by unfair business practices (compare Prov. 11:1; 20:10).

Mic. 6:13 Therefore I strike you . . . , making you desolate. This general statement of the Lord’s judgment connects the people’s wickedness (vv. 10–12) with the specific sentence that follows (vv. 14–15).

Mic. 6:14–15 You shall sow, but not reap. Human activity is useless without God’s blessing. This is God’s sentence against his people for their sin (compare Deut. 28:30–31; Amos 5:11; Zeph. 1:13).

Mic. 6:16 Omri . . . Ahab. These wicked kings of Israel (the northern kingdom) had been a corrupting influence even on the southern kingdom of Judah (see 1 Kings 16:25–33). walked in their counsels. Replacing the Lord, their true counselor, with the ways of these wicked human kings led to desolation . . . hissing . . . scorn. Hope remains, however, because God still claims them (my people).