The Book of Micah Chapter 1 was written near the time of the demise of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. Micah, a prophet, wrote the book in order to warn the sinful nations that judgment was coming from God. He warned that this judgment was going to be enough to ruin the entire nation because the Word of God told him so.

Micah’s Warning

Micah tried to warn Samaria and Israel about God’s impending judgment. Their selfish and lawless ways had made them susceptible to the wrath of God. The people had been worshiping false prophets and they turned their back on the one true God.

According to Micah Chapter 1, God had spoken to the prophet directly and said that the mountains, valleys, and water would react in horrific ways and completely destroy Samaria. The people would be cast out and their land would no longer be theirs.

Israel’s Special Purpose

Although these sinful acts were taking place in many other nations, the country of Israel was meant to be a country of priests. They were supposed to be examples of a holy land that exuded righteousness.

Instead, Israel became full of false prophets and superficial acts. They began to practice their own form of religion and they neglected the Word of the Lord. For this, according to Micah Chapter 1, God would come down to earth to judge the people Himself.

Micah’s Vision of Mourning

After God pours out His wrath, Micah said he will mourn for the death and destruction. However, he warned of this demise and knew that this is what had to happen as it was told to him. Micah also knew that Samaria and Jerusalem had become signs of resistance to the teachings of the Lord. They were now sinful places that had been turned into ruins.

The desolate countries would serve as proof to the surrounding countries of the power of God. Everywhere in the world would know of Israel’s demise and the shame they have brought on their people. According to Micah Chapter 1, true repentance and obedience to the Lord was the way to salvation.

Micah 1 (King James Version)

1 The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

2 Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.

3 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.

5 For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

6 Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.

7 And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.

8 Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.

9 For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.

10 Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.

11 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing.

12 For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem.

13 O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.

14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

15 Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.

16 Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.