Micah 2:2-12

2 They covet fields and seize them; they take over houses as well, doing violence to both owner and house, to people and their inherited land.

3 Therefore this is what ADONAI says: "Against this family I am planning an evil from which you will not withdraw your necks; nor will you walk with your heads held high, for it will be an evil time."

4 On that day they will take up a dirge for you; sadly lamenting, they will wail, "We are completely ruined! Our people's land has changed hands. Our fields are taken away from us; instead of restoring them, he parcels them out."

5 Therefore, you will have no one in the assembly of ADONAI to stretch out a measuring line and restore the land assigned by lot.

6 "Don't preach!" - thus they preach! "They shouldn't preach about these things. Shame will not overtake us" -

7 is this what the house of Ya'akov says? ADONAI has not grown impatient, and these things are not his doings. "Rather, my words do only good to anyone living uprightly.

8 But lately my people behave like an enemy, stripping both cloaks and tunics from travelers who thought they were secure, so that they become like war refugees.

9 You throw my people's women out of the homes they love. You deprive their children of my glory forever.

10 Get up and go! You can't stay here! Because [the land] is now unclean, it will destroy you with a grievous destruction."

11 If a man who walks in wind and falsehood tells this lie: "I will preach to you of [how good it is to drink] wine and strong liquor" - this people will accept him as their preacher!

12 "I will assemble all of you, Ya'akov; I will gather the remnant of Isra'el, I will put them together like sheep in a pen, like a herd in its pasture - it will hum with the sounds of people."

Micah 2:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 2

In this chapter complaint is made of the sins of the people of Israel, and they are threatened with punishment for them. The sins they are charged with are covetousness, oppression, and injustice, which were premeditated, and done deliberately, Mic 2:1,2; therefore the Lord devised evil against them, they should not escape; and which would bring down their pride, and cause them to take up a lamentation, because they should not enjoy the portion of land that belonged to them, Mic 2:3-5; they are further charged with opposing the prophets of the Lord, the folly and wickedness of which is exposed, Mic 2:6,7; and with great inhumanity and barbarity, even to women and children, Mic 2:8,9; and therefore are ordered to expect and prepare for a removal out of their land, Mic 2:10; and the rather, since they gave encouragement and heed to false prophets, and delighted in them, Mic 2:11; and the chapter is concluded with words of comfort to the remnant among them, and with precious promises of the Messiah, and the blessings of grace by him, Mic 2:12,13.