“Violence” has been inflated dramatically in recent social and political rhetoric. It can refer to everything from a mugging to a classification system that excludes some marginal group. But there is some biblical ground for seeing violence even where there’s not blood. Micah condemns the rich men of Jerusalem for their “violence” (6:12), but the specific actions he describes are not physical assaults but cheating in the marketplace (vv. 10-11). The logic behind this is perhaps that possessions are extensions... Read more

Micah condemns the people of Judah for following the ways of Omri and Ahab. We know from Kings that this is precisely what Judah has been doing. Within Micah 6, though, there is a sharp pun. Verse 16 condemns Judah for doing the works of the house of Ahab, while verse 8 commends the right way for Judah, a way that includes love ( ahab ) of covenant loyalty. The words are not exactly the same; the “h” on Ahab... Read more

Faced with the indictment from the prophet Micah, Israel asks what it can do to pacify a scarily angry Yahweh. No number of ascensions will do the trick: What Yahweh requires is justice, covenant loyalty, humility (Micah 6:6-8). The famous “Micah Mandate” is addressed to “man,” which translates adam . Israel is addressed as the new humanity, and also addressed as she is addressed at the beginning of Leviticus – “If any Adam among you brings near a near-bringing” (Leviticus... Read more

INTRODUCTION Micah continues his indictment of Israel and Israel’s leaders. But in chapter 6, he gives positive instruction. What God demands is what is good – justice, lovingkindness, and humility (v. 8). THE TEXT “Hear now what the LORD says: ‘Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, O you mountains, the LORD’s complaint, and you strong foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a complaint against His people, and He will... Read more