Micah 6

1

Listen now to what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. The mountains, and so forth That is, the princes, the great ones of the people. Challoner.—But Hebrew intimates real mountains, which had witnessed the impiety of the people, ( Calmet.) and had been defiled with their altars, and so forth Prot. “Contend thou before the,” and so forth ( Bible.) as God’s advocate. He condescends to justify his conduct towards Israel. Isaiah 3:13. Calmet.—He had shewn them great favours, but they were ungrateful. Off. for good Frid. Worthington.

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2

Hear, you mountains, the LORD’s indictment, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel.

3

My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me!

4

For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Slaves. Their prison, in Algiers, and so forth is dreadful. Calmet.—Mary. She taught the women. Chal. Theod.—She was a figure of Christ’s mother, as Moses and Aaron were of himself. Worthington.

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5

My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 5. From Setim to Galgal. He puts them in mind of the favour he did them, in not suffering them to be quite destroyed by the evil purpose of Balach and the wicked counsel of Balaam; and then gives them a hint of the wonders he wrought in order to bring them into the land of promise, by stopping the course of the Jordan, in their march from Setim to Galgal. Challoner.—Galgala, “limits,” may denote those of the Jordan, between which river and Setim Israel was encamped. Numbers 22 and 25.—Justices. Sym. “mercies.” Calmet.

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6

How shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 6. What shall I offer, and so forth This is spoken in the person of the people, desiring to be informed what they are to do to please God. Challoner.—They can answer nothing in their own defence.

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7

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Fat. Hebrew “torrents of oil.”—First-born, like Jephte, or the king of Moab. Judith 11 and 4 Kennicott. 3:27. Saturn taught the Phœnicians this impiety. Eus. præp. iv. 16. Calmet.

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8

He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 8. Solicitous. Hebrew also, “humbly.” Bible.—This was preferable to all other sacrifices of the old law, ( Worthington.) and was frequently inculcated. Deuteronomy 10:12. Psalms 49:9. Isaiah 1:11. Yet the carnal Jews always made perfection consist in exterior ceremonies.

Ver 9. City, to all mankind.—Salvation. Hebrew “wisdom shall consider thy name.” Syr. “doctrine to those who fear his name.”—It? Who will attend? Calmet.

Ver 10. Full of wrath, and so forth That is, highly provoking in the sight of God. Challoner.—False weights are often condemned. Deuteronomy 25:13. Calmet.

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9

The LORD’s voice calls to the city— and wisdom fears your name— “Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it.

10

Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah that is accursed?

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

An ephah is a measure of volume (about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel), and a short ephah is made smaller than a full ephah for the purpose of cheating customers.

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11

Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights?

12

Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.

13

Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound. I have made you desolate because of your sins.

14

You shall eat, but not be satisfied. Your hunger will be within you. You will store up, but not save, and that which you save I will give up to the sword.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 14. And thy. Septuagint “I will cast thee away into thyself.” Bible.—Hold of some fruit. Calmet.—Thy wife shall miscarry; (Vat. and so forth) or if she bring forth, the children shall perish by the sword.

Ver 15. New. Septuagint “grave.” Bible.—“It is good for thee, when thou knowest thy error, to have no disciples.” Saint Jerome

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15

You will sow, but won’t reap. You will tread the olives, but won’t anoint yourself with oil; and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine.

16

For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of Ahab’s house. You walk in their counsels, that I may make you a ruin, and your inhabitants a hissing. You will bear the reproach of my people.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 16. The statutes of Amri, and so forth The wicked ways of Amri and Achab, idolatrous kings. Challoner.—They were the most infamous of Israel. 3 Kennicott. 16:25. 30. Worthington.—Hebrew “the statutes of Amri are kept.” Septuagint “The precepts (ámi) of my people shall parish” Bible.—You, rich men. Calmet.—Septuagint “you shall receive the reproach of people.” Bible.

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