Micah 6

“Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.” Naming Arise and Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’s controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy…” Naming Hear and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.” 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.

“For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim…” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD , and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt…” 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.

“Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for…” 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.

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy…” 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.

“The LORD’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable?” 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.

“Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?” 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.

“For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.