Micah 1:5-7

The Lord's word concerning Jacob -- Micah 1:5-7: God's judgment was coming because "of the terrible sins of Israel, the descendants of Jacob. Samaria had led Israel to sin, and pagan altars at Jerusalem have made Judah sin. "The idol worship of Samaria was the ruin of the nation. God's prophet boldly accused Israel of breaking their covenant with God. The leaders of the nation had not led the people to serve God. The leaders of the southern kingdom were also wicked. They and the nation lived in opposition to God. Israel had made an agreement to obey God but they did not keep their covenant.

The Lord promised to leave Samaria in ruins. It would be like an empty field where vineyards are planted. It would become just a heap of rubbish. God promised to throw down all their houses and to break all their images into pieces. He had been like a husband for Israel and Israel had acted like a spiritual prostitute. They had left the one true God to worship and serve all kinds of false gods. The result of serving these gods was that Israel made images and did all kinds of evil and sinful things. The Assyria army would take away Israel into captivity and claim her wealth for her own.