1 The Lord gave this message to Micah of Moresheth during the years when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. The visions he saw concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem.

2 Attention! Let all the people of the world listen!. Let the earth and everything in it hear. The Sovereign Lord is making accusations against you; the Lord speaks from his holy Temple. 3 Look! The Lord is coming! He leaves his throne in heaven and tramples the heights of the earth. 4 The mountains melt beneath his feet and flow into the valleys like wax in a fire, like water pouring down a hill. 5 And why is this happening? Because of the rebellion of Israel - yes, the sins of the whole nation! Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the centre of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital!

6 “So I, the Lord, will make the city of Samaria a heap of ruins. Her streets will be plowed up for planting vineyards. I will roll the stones of her walls into the valley below, exposing her foundations. 7 All her carved images will be smashed. All her sacred treasures will be burned. These things were bought with the money earned by her prostitution, and they will now be carried away to pay prostitutes elsewhere.” Micah 1 vs 1-7 New Living Translation

Micah was a prophet (a messenger of God) who lived well over 700 years before Christ. The people of Israel had gone through a civil war, and like Ireland, were divided into a northern kingdom and a southern one. The capital of the north was a city called Samaria, and the capital of the southern kingdom was Jerusalem.

The Lord here speaks through this prophet Micah, and says He has had enough of the wickedness of these people and that He is going to now punish them (with invading armies). What do you think this teaches us about God’s character?

Surely it teaches us that God hates sin? He must be very pure to hate sin so much.

The point is, however, that a question is asked: “What is the cause of Israel’s sin?” And the prophet points out that the two capital cities, Samaria and Jerusalem, were the problem. Like what is common in so many cities even today, they were probably full of wickedness. In fact the wickedness had become so bad that God now said: “Enough is enough!”

We need to examine our lives because often we also have some area which is a particular problem. Swearing, lies, stealing, dirty thoughts, temper, pride, selfishness, and many other such things.

Ask God that His Holy Spirit will make you aware of any things in your life that grieve Him! Even Christians need to do that. But Christians can remember too that Jesus took God’s punishment for these sins in their place. Thank Him and praise Him for this great love!

P.S. The Old Testament book called Proverbs tells us of at least 7 things that God hates. Here’s what it says in Chapter 6 verses 16-19: “There are six things the Lord hates - seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.” Something to think about.