Micah 7:8-20

Zion speaks

8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, because when I fall, I will rise; if I sit in darkness, the LORD is my light.

9 I must bear the raging of the LORD, for I have sinned against him, until he decides my case and provides justice for me. He will bring me out into the light; I will see by means of his righteousness.

10 Then my enemy will see; shame will cover her who said to me: "Where is the LORD your God?" My eyes will see her ruin; now she will become something to be trampled, like mud in the streets.

Micah responds to Zion

11 A day for the building of your walls! On that day, the boundary will be distant.

12 On that day, they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, from Egypt to the River, from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.

13 And the earth will become desolate because of her inhabitants, because of the fruit of their actions.

Micah intercedes for the people

14 Shepherd your people with your staff, the sheep of your inheritance, those dwelling alone in a forest in the midst of Carmel. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as a long time ago.

God agrees

15 As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show Israel wonderful things.

The prophet continues

16 Nations will see and be ashamed of all their strength; they will cover their mouths; their ears will be deaf.

17 They will lick dust like the snake, like things that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds to the LORD our God; they will dread and fear you!

18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity, overlooking the sin of the few remaining for his inheritance? He doesn't hold on to his anger forever; he delights in faithful love.

19 He will once again have compassion on us; he will tread down our iniquities. You will hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea.

20 You will provide faithfulness to Jacob, faithful love to Abraham, as you swore to our ancestors a long time ago.

Micah 7:8-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 7

This chapter begins with a lamentation of the prophet, in the name of the church and people of God, concerning the general depravity and corruption of the times in which he lived, Mic 7:1-6; then declares what he was determined to do for his relief in such circumstances, Mic 7:7; comforts himself and the church with a good hope and firm belief of its being otherwise and better with them, to the shame and confusion of their enemies that now rejoiced, though without just reason for it, Mic 7:8-10; with promises of deliverance, after a desolation of the land for some time, Mic 7:11-13; and with the answer returned to the prayers of the prophet, Mic 7:14,15; which would issue in the astonishment of the world, and their subjection to the church of God, Mic 7:16,17; and the chapter is concluded with admiration at the pardoning grace and mercy of God, and his faithfulness to his promises, Mic 7:18-20.

Footnotes

• [a]. Rejoice (feminine singular)
• [b]. Heb lacks ruin.