Micah 2:1-11

Human Plans and God’s Plans

1 Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.

2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance.

3 Therefore, the LORD says: “I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.

4 In that day people will ridicule you; they will taunt you with this mournful song: ‘We are utterly ruined; my people’s possession is divided up. He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors.’ ”

5 Therefore you will have no one in the assembly of the LORDto divide the land by lot.

False Prophets

6 “Do not prophesy,” their prophets say. “Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”

7 You descendants of Jacob, should it be said, “Does the LORD become^[a] impatient? Does he do such things?” “Do not my words do good to the one whose ways are upright?

8 Lately my people have risen up like an enemy. You strip off the rich robe from those who pass by without a care, like men returning from battle.

9 You drive the women of my people from their pleasant homes. You take away my blessing from their children forever.

10 Get up, go away! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy.

11 If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!

Micah 2:1-11 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Isaiah 29:20
• 2. Psalms 36:4
• 3. Isaiah 5:8
• 4. S Proverbs 30:14
• 5. S Jeremiah 22:17
• 6. S 1 Samuel 8:14; S Isaiah 1:23; S Ezekiel 46:18
• 7. Jeremiah 18:11; S Amos 3:1-2
• 8. Isaiah 2:12
• 9. S Leviticus 26:31; S Jeremiah 4:13
• 10. S Jeremiah 6:12
• 11. Deuteronomy 32:13; Joshua 18:4
• 12. S Numbers 34:13
• 13. Psalms 44:13; Jeremiah 18:16; Jeremiah 19:8; Jeremiah 25:18; Jeremiah 29:18; Micah 6:16
• 14. S Amos 2:12
• 15. S Psalms 119:65
• 16. Psalms 15:2; Psalms 84:11
• 17. Jeremiah 10:20
• 18. S Deuteronomy 12:9
• 19. Leviticus 18:25-29; Psalms 106:38-39; S Lamentations 4:15
• 20. S 2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 5:31
• 21. S Leviticus 10:9
• 22. Isaiah 30:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "Is the Spirit of the " Lord