1. contend thou—Israel is called by Jehovah to plead with Him in controversy. :- suggested the transition from those happy times described in the fourth and fifth chapters, to the prophet's own degenerate times and people. before the mountains—in their presence; personified as if witnesses (compare Micah 1:2; Deuteronomy 32:1; Isaiah 1:2). Not as the Margin, "with"; as God's controversy is with Israel, not with them. read more
2. Lord's controversy—How great is Jehovah's condescension, who, though the supreme Lord of all, yet wishes to prove to worms of the earth the equity of His dealings (Isaiah 5:3; Isaiah 43:26). read more
3. my people—the greatest aggravation of their sin, that God always treated them, and still treats them, as His people. what have I done unto thee?—save kindness, that thou revoltest from Me (Jeremiah 2:5; Jeremiah 2:31). wherein have I wearied thee?—What commandments have I enjoined that should have wearied thee as irksome (1 John 5:3)? read more
In this litigation speech, Micah called his audience to hear what Yahweh had told him to say. Yahweh had a case (lawsuit, Heb. rib) to bring against His people. The Lord was summoning Israel to defend herself in a courtroom setting. He addressed the mountains, hills, and foundations of the earth as the jury in this case (cf. Deuteronomy 32:1; Isaiah 1:2). The Lord called this jury, which had observed Israel’s history from its beginning, to hear His indictment against the nation. Compare the... read more
A. The Lord’s indictment against His people 6:1-5 read more
The Lord called the Israelites, His people, to testify how He had caused them to be so weary of Him that they ceased to obey Him. His rhetorical questions were unanswerable; He had not given them reason to become dissatisfied with Him (cf. 1 Samuel 17:29; 1 Samuel 20:1; 1 Samuel 26:18; 1 Samuel 29:8; Isaiah 5:4). His questions convey a sense of pathos; rather than simply criticizing them, He asked how He had failed them. They had complained against Him often, but He had given them no occasion... read more
God’s Arraignment of His people1-8. Micah’s message to the discouraged believers. They have lost heart because of the apparent contradiction between the promises of their prophets and the hard facts of their history. They have lost faith in God’s grace, and are trying to propitiate His favour by such sacrifices as the heathen offered to their gods. Micah appeals to nature, to history, and to the reasonable service God requires. He calls on the hills to witness what God has done (Micah 6:1-2).... read more
God’s Great Controversy with IsraelNote the change in the prophet’s attitude. He speaks no longer to a united nation, but to parties. Now he speaks to a party, pious but discouraged (Micah 6:1-8); again, he testifies against men who have turned their backs on the Law (Micah 6:9-16). Persecution for religion’s sake has appeared, and taught men to distrust each other (Micah 7:2-6) Probably the chapters date from the time of Manasseh. Sennacherib recoiled baffled from Jerusalem, but Assyria was... read more
VI.(1) Hear ye now what the Lord saith.—The third portion of Micah’s prophecy opens with a solemn appeal to Nature to hear the Lord pleading with His people. A similar summons is found in Deuteronomy 32:1 : “Give ear, O ye heavens, and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.” read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Micah 6:2
Micah 6:2. And ye strong foundations of the earth— And ye valleys in the lower parts of the earth. Houbigant. Schultens has it, Ye abiding,—or everlasting foundations, &c. And instead of testify against me, Micah 6:3. Houbigant reads answer me. read more