Micah 1

“The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah…” Naming Ahaz and Hezekiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord…” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.” Naming Aphrah and Declare keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of…” Naming Israel and Lachish keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth-gath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into…” Naming Make keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.