Micah 2:6–7

⁶ “Do not preach”—thus they preach—
“one should not preach of such things;
disgrace will not overtake us.”
⁷ Should this be said, O house of Jacob?
Has the Lord grown impatient?
Are these his deeds?
Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?

The Story: People have the capacity to delude themselves and justify their own behavior (see Prov. 16:2). When they do so, they do not want to hear the truth. They, like Israel of old, want those who are proclaiming that what they are doing is wicked to shut up. Words “drop” from their mouths, such as, “Don’t prophecy”. Amos and Isaiah also experienced people attempting to shut them up in Am. 7:16; Is. 30:10. The wrongdoer often supports false prophets who proclaim, “disgrace will not overtake us. God is not like that. God is loving, not condemning.” False prophets also proclaim that God’s patience is inexhaustible. They say, “His deeds are not those which bring calamity.” Micah counters, speaking for the Lord, “Do my words do good to him who walks uprightly?” God is thus saying, “Aren’t my words good? Aren’t they meant as a blessing? But they are only a blessing to those who are obedient.”

The Structure: This passage relates a contentious dialogue between the evildoers and Micah. It is difficult at times to determine who is saying what. Some believe that the evildoers speak in verse 6 and Micah as God’s spokesperson responds in verse 7. It seems more likely, however, that Micah responds in 7d, rather than 7a.

The Psalmist stated: “Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, ‘You will not call to account?’” We must all guard against rationalizing our behavior. We all need to pray Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts! ²⁴
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

For more insight to the prophet Micah, order the book, The Minor Prophets, Vol. 2: Micah-Malachi, by James Montgomery Boice, from our online store.

The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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