Micah 7:2-12

2 The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.

3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire— they all conspire together.

4 The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion.

5 Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.

6 For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Israel Will Rise

8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

9 Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

10 Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets.

11 The day for building your walls will come, the day for extending your boundaries.

12 In that day people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, even from Egypt to the Euphrates and from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain.

Micah 7:2-12 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 12:1
• 2. S Jeremiah 2:29; Jeremiah 8:6
• 3. Psalms 10:8
• 4. S Proverbs 6:17; S Micah 3:10
• 5. S Isaiah 3:5
• 6. S Jeremiah 5:26
• 7. S Proverbs 4:16
• 8. S Exodus 23:8; S Ezekiel 22:12
• 9. S Numbers 33:55; S Ezekiel 2:6
• 10. S 2 Samuel 23:6
• 11. S Job 31:14; Isaiah 22:5; S Hosea 9:7
• 12. Jeremiah 9:4
• 13. S Ezekiel 22:7
• 14. Matthew 10:35-36*; S Mark 13:12
• 15. S Isaiah 21:8
• 16. Psalms 130:5; Isaiah 25:9
• 17. S Psalms 4:3
• 18. S Psalms 22:17; S Proverbs 24:17; S Micah 4:11
• 19. Psalms 20:8; Psalms 37:24; S Amos 9:11
• 20. S 2 Samuel 22:29; Isaiah 9:2
• 21. Lamentations 3:39-40
• 22. S Psalms 119:154
• 23. S Psalms 107:10
• 24. Isaiah 46:13
• 25. S Psalms 35:26
• 26. S Psalms 42:3
• 27. S Isaiah 51:23
• 28. S 2 Samuel 22:43; S Job 40:12; S Isaiah 5:5; Zechariah 10:5
• 29. Isaiah 54:11; S Amos 9:11
• 30. S Isaiah 11:11
• 31. Isaiah 19:23-25; Isaiah 60:4