Miquéias 1

Miquéias 1

Vernon McGee - “Tread upon the high places of the earth.” You recall that the high places were the locations of idol worship. Idols were set up in groves upon the hills and mountains. Also in that day the cities were situated on elevated places. Both Samaria and Jerusalem were built on mountains. The Lord Jesus mentioned that a city that is set upon a hill cannot be hid, and the city has a tremendous influence upon the area around it (see Mt 5:14-note). When the city is the seat of government, it has a tremendous influence not only upon the immediate area but often upon the entire world. That is the case of many great cities in the past and present. Also cities are centers of great sin. For these reasons God is coming down upon them in judgment—He will “tread upon the high places of the earth.” (Micah 1:3-4 Commentary - Mp3) Kaiser - The scene is very similar to when the Lord touched down on Sinai: there were earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other similar examples of the infinite power of God (Ex. 20:18–21). Apple - Similar descriptions of such awe-inspiring manifestations of Jehovah occur in Ex. 19:18,19; Jdg 5:4-5; Isa. 64:1; Hab. 3:6. The Lord can come in blessing or He can come in judgment Here God is angry at His people because they have broken the covenant (referring to the Mosaic Covenant, not the Abrahamic Covenant). (Ed: See also Ps 18:7–10; 68:8; 65:9–13; 114:3–8) Scofield thinks that "These words predict Shalmaneser's destruction of the northern kingdom, Sennacherib's invasion, and Nebuchadnezzar's invasion." Micah 1:4 The mountains will melt under Him and the valleys will be split, Like wax before the fire, Like water poured down a steep place. the mountains Judges 5:4; Psalms 97:5; Isaiah 64:1-3; Amos 9:5; Nahum 1:5; Habakkuk 3:6,10; 2 Peter 3:10-12; Revelation 20:11 a steep place Heb. a descent. Mountains will melt under Him (cp Ps 68:2; 97:5; Nah 1:5; Hab. 3:6) - NET Note says "This is a figurative description of earthquakes, landslides, and collapse of the mountains, rather than some sort of volcanic activity (note the remainder of the verse)." Like wax...Like water - Vivid pictures of the effect on the topography when Jehovah treads the earth in judgment! Woe! (cf Omnipotence) See discussion of importance of observing and interrogating "similes" Matthew