Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryMicah 2

The Sins of the People In this section, Micah speaks against the sins of the people, especially their oppression and injustice. God is about to judge them because they have been greedy and cruel, taking what does not belong to them. The prophet explains how these sins are planned out and carried out with great effort, and how God’s punishment will fit their crime. The message is clear: those who harm others out of selfishness will face God’s justice.v. 1-2: The people are guilty of planning evil and acting on it. They lie awake at night thinking about how to get more land and houses, and when morning comes, they do whatever it takes to get what they want (Micah 2:1 ). They use their power to take what belongs to others, like Ahab did with Naboth’s vineyard. They do not care about the families they hurt or the unfairness of their actions. Their hearts are full of greed, and they have no compassion for others (Micah 2:2 ).

v. 3: God responds to their evil plans with His own plan for justice. The Lord

v. 4: When God’s judgment comes, people will mourn and lament. They will say, We are utterly spoiled . Their enemies will make fun of them, and their friends will be sad. The land they took by force will be taken from them and given to others. What they gained unjustly will not last, because God will make sure it is removed from them.

v. 5: God says they will lose their share in the land. Thou shalt have none to cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the Lord

Expostulation with the House of Jacob; The Sin and Punishment of Oppression In this section, Micah confronts Israel for two main sins: persecuting God’s prophets and oppressing the poor. These sins bring about judgments that fit their crimes. The people do not want to hear God’s true message and instead prefer leaders who only tell them what they want to hear. At the same time, they are cruel to the weak and helpless, taking advantage of those who cannot defend themselves. God promises punishment that matches these actions.v. 6: The people tell the true prophets, Prophesy ye not . They do not want to hear about their sins or coming judgment. They prefer messages that make them feel comfortable, not ones that challenge them to change. This is like what happened in other times, when people told God’s messengers to be silent (Isaiah 30:10; Amos 7:10 ). The people even support false prophets who say what they want to hear, especially if it means they can keep enjoying their sinful lifestyles.

v. 7: Micah asks, O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the Lord

v. 8-9: The people not only reject God’s word but also harm others. They act like enemies to their own nation. They rob travelers, take homes from women, and even take away the hope and blessings of children (Micah 2:8-9 ). This includes driving widows out of their houses and stealing the future from innocent children. God sees these cruel actions and will punish them.

v. 10: God’s sentence is clear: Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest . Because the land is polluted with sin, the people will lose their home and security. Just as God removed the Canaanites for their evil, He will now remove Israel for the same reason (Leviticus 18:27-28 ). The land will destroy them with a dreadful destruction. This is a warning for all people that this world is not our true home, and sin brings ruin and loss.

v. 11: If the people refuse to listen to God, He will let them have false prophets instead: If a man walking in the spirit of falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people . God will allow them to be misled by lies because they rejected the truth. This is a serious judgment—having only leaders who tell them what they want, not what they need. This leads to even greater ruin (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 ).

Promises of Mercy After many warnings of punishment, this chapter ends with promises of God’s mercy. These promises were partly fulfilled when the Jews returned from Babylon, but they find their greatest meaning in the time of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God promises to gather His scattered people, protect them, and lead them as their King. Even after judgment, God’s love and plan to save His people will not fail.v. 12: God says, I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee . He promises to bring together all who belong to Israel, like a shepherd gathers his sheep. God will not forget even one person. His people will be united, safe, and joyful together, just like a large flock in its fold. This was seen when the Jews returned from exile, but it also points to how Jesus brings people from all nations into one family, the church (Ezekiel 34:31; Isaiah 49:19-20 ).

v. 13: God will clear the way for His people to return and lead them Himself. The breaker is come up before them—God will break down every obstacle so His people can go free. Their King shall pass before them, and the Lord