YHWH’s Case Against Israel

Micah 6

Y’all must listen to what YHWH says:

“You are to arise and plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say. Y’all listen to YHWH’s indictment, O mountains, the enduring foundations of the earth. YHWH has a case against ʜɪꜱ people, and ʜᴇ will argue against Israel. My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me! For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of YHWH.”

 

How should I come before YHWH, and bow myself before the exalted God? Should I come before ʜɪᴍ with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Will YHWH be pleased with thousands of rams? With ten thousand rivers of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my rebellion? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Hᴇ has shown you, human, what is good. What does YHWH require of you? To accomplish justice, to love kindness, and to be humble in walking with your God?

 

Judgment on the Wicked

YHWH’s voice calls to the city— and wisdom fears your name— “Y’all listen to the rod, and the one who appointed it. Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah+6:10 An ephah is a measure of volume (about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel), and a short ephah is made smaller than a full ephah for the purpose of cheating customers. that is accursed? Can I excuse dishonest scales, or a bag of deceptive weights? Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech. Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound. I have made you desolate because of your sins. You will eat, but not be satisfied. Your hunger will be within you. You will store up, but not save, and that which you save I will give up to the sword. You will sow, but won’t reap. You will tread the olives, but won’t anoint yourself with oil; and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine. For the statutes of Omri and all the works of Ahab’s house are observed. Y’all walk in their counsels, that I may bring you to ruin, and your inhabitants to derision. Y’all will bear the reproach of the nations.”