Micah 1:5 KJV
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?
In other words:
All these bad things will happen because Jacob ‘s people have refused to obey God. These things will happen because Israel’s people have done wrong things.
You may ask who has caused this. It is the leaders in your capital cities, Samaria city and Jerusalem city.
For the transgression of Jacob is all this
All the terrors attending Yahweh’s coming are caused by the sins of Jacob or Israel, that is, 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?” (compare Malachi 1:6,7), He answers, Is it not Samaria? Is not that city (the seat of the calf-worship) the cause of Jacob’s apostasy (1 Kings 14:16, 1 Kings 15:26,34, 1 Kings 16:13,19,25,30 )?
Samaria should have been an example to all of Israel, an example of true religion and justice, but instead it was the dirty pool, and the tank, where all idolatry and corruption was kept alive in, and who in spite of this still were proud of themselves because they had Jacob as their father, and boasted of him.
What are the high places of Judah?
What city is the cause of the idolatries on the high places of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem (compare 2 Kings 18:4 )?
Judah (Jerusalem) has kept the high places there for people to offer gifts to false gods. That is, idolatry and a deadly infection.
In a previous reflection, we saw that God has a lawsuit with his people. And that was because of all offenses and waste.
As centers of wickedness in verse 5 the two capitals are mentioned: Samaria and Jerusalem:
▪︎ Who is the beginning of Jacob’s transgressions? – Isn’t it Samaria?
▪︎ And who of the heights of Judah? – Isn’t it Jerusalem?
Today there is no difference. The cities are the cultural centers par excellence. That is where the degeneration of a people usually becomes visible first.
Is that a reason to look down on the city, as many do?
Certainly not. Because someone from the countryside is no better in himself.
In the city, God holds up a discovering mirror to us.
It is as if He wants to say, See what becomes of you if you do not fear Me.
Such a mirror should bring you to your knees.
Encourage constant intercession for missionary and evangelizing work, as is done in the major cities.
So that Christ will triumph there too, and His Spirit will go around re-creating, so that the city may not have a decomposing but a blessing effect to the whole country.
× 0 ×
Internet: http://harryschoemaker.nl
Website: https://devotionals.harryschoemaker.nl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwide.ekklesia/
About Author
