Micah 1:5

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? FOR THE TRANSGRESSION OF JACOB IS ALL THIS - all these terrors attending Yahweh's coming are caused by the sins of Jacob or Israel - i:e., the whole people. WHAT IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF JACOB? Taking up the question, often in the mouths of the people when reproved, 'What is our transgression?' (cf. Malachi 1:6, "O priests that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread ... and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee?") He answers, IS IT NOT SAMARIA? The Hebrew is literally, Who is the transgression of Jacob? - i:e., Who is its cause? ...

The Prophet teaches, in this verse, that God is not angry for nothing; though when he appears rigid, men expostulate with him, and clamor as though he were cruel. That men may, therefore, acknowledge that God is a just judge, and that he never exceeds moderation in punishments, the Prophet here distinctly states that there was a just cause, why God denounced so dreadful a judgment on his chosen people, — even because not only a part of the people, but the whole body had, through their impiety, fallen away; for by the house of Jacob, and by the house of Israel, he means that impiety had everywhere prevailed, so that no part was untainted. The meaning then is, — that the contagion of sin had spread through all Israel, that no portion of the country was free from iniquity, that no corner of the land could bring an excuse for its defection; the Lord therefore shows that he would be the judge...

1-7 The earth is called upon, with all that are therein, to hear the prophet. God's holy temple will not protect false professors. Neither men of high degree, as the mountains, nor men of low degree, as the valleys, can secure themselves or the land from the judgments of God. If sin be found in God's people he will not spare them; and their sins are most provoking to him, for they are most reproaching. When we feel the smart of sin, it behoves us to seek what is the sin we smart for. Persons and places most exalted, are most exposed to spiritual diseases. The vices of leaders and rulers shall be surely and sorely punished. The punishment answers the sin. What they gave to idols, never shall prosper, nor do them any good. What is got by one lust, is wasted on another....

Verse Micah 1:5. _WHAT_ IS _THE TRANSGRESSION OF JACOB?_] Is it not something extremely grievous? Is it not that of _Samaria_? Samaria and Jerusalem, the chief cities, are infected with _idolatry_. Each has its _high places_, and its _idol worship_, in opposition to the worship of the true God. That there was _idolatry_ practiced by the _elders of Israel_, even _in the temple_ of Jehovah, see Ezekiel 8:1, c. As the royal cities in both kingdoms gave the _example_ of gross idolatry, no wonder that it spread through the whole land, both of Israel and Judah....

FOR THE TRANSGRESSION OF JACOB IS ALL THIS - Not for any change of purpose in God; nor, again, as the effect of man’s lust of conquest. None could have any power against God’s people, unless it had been given him by God. Those mighty monarchies of old existed but as God’s instruments, especially toward His own people. God said at this time of Assyria Isaiah 10:5, Asshur rod of Mine anger, and the staff in his hand is Mine indignation; and Isaiah 37:26, Now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defensed cities into ruinous heaps. Each scourge of God chastised just those nations, which God willed him to chasten; but the especial object for which each was raised up was his mission against that people, in whom God most showed His mercies and His judgments...

EXPOSITION VERSE 1:1-2:13 Part I. THREATENINGS AND JUDGMENTS ON ISRAEL AND JUDAH, WITH PREDICTION OF EVENTUAL DELIVERANCE. MICAH 1:1 The _inscription, _or heading of the book, conveying the prophet's authority. The word of the Lord. The expression applies to the whole contents of the book, as in Hosea 1:1 and Zephaniah 1:1. It is often used for some particular message to a prophet, as J

FOR THE TRANSGRESSION OF JACOB [IS] ALL THIS, AND FOR THE SINS OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL,.... All this evil, all these calamities and judgments, signified by the above metaphorical phrases, these did not come by chance, nor without, reason; but were or would be inflicted, according to the righteous judgment of God, upon the people of Israel and Judah, for their manifold sins and transgressions, especially their idolatry: and should it be asked, WHAT [IS] THE TRANSGRESSION OF JACOB? what notorious crime has he been guilty of? or what is the iniquity the two tribes are charged with, that is the cause of so much severity? the answer is, [IS IT] NOT SAMARIA? the wickedness of Samaria, the calf of Samaria? as in Hosea 7:1; that is, the worship of the calf of Samaria; is not that idolatry the transgression of Jacob, or which the ten tribes have given into? it is; and a

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATION THE FIRST PROPHETIC MESSAGE CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The introduction (Micah 1:1) _ 2. Judgment announced (Micah 1:2) 3. The destruction of Samaria (Micah 1:6) 4. The lamentation of the prophet over the coming judgment (Micah 1:8) Micah 1:1. This introduction tells us two things. In the first place, we learn that this book contains the word of the Lord that came to Micah, the Morasthite; in the second place, we are told when Micah exercised his office. As stated in the introduction, he was contemporary with Isaiah, proba

THE JUDGMENT OF ISRAEL. The nations of the earth are summoned to take warning from the Divine judgment to be executed on Israel. Yahweh comes forth from heaven (His holy temple; _cf._ Habakkuk 2:20; Isaiah 63:15, Psalms 114), and down (_cf._ Exodus 19:11) upon the heights (Amos 4:13), His presence being revealed as by earthquake shock (_cf._ Isaiah 24:19) and volcanic eruption (Micah 1:2). The moral rebellion of the northern kingdom is concentrated in its capital, Sam

TRANSGRESSION. rebellion. Hebrew. _pasha'._ App-44. SINS. Hebrew. _chata'._ App-44. Aram, and Syriac read singular. WHAT. Whose. IS IT NOT SAMARIA?. is it not Samaria's [idolatry]? Figure of speech _Erotesis._ App-6. HIGH PLACES. Compare 1 Kings 12:31; 1 Kings 14:23.Ezekiel 6:6. These existed in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:35); hence the mention of them in the further question. Figure of speech _Erotesis._ Compare 2 Kings 16:4. ARE THEY NOT JERUSALEM?. is it not Jerusalem'