Micah chapter 1
1:1 Samaria and Jerusalem: The two seats of government of the northern and southern kingdoms, respectively, are
addressed. The capitals are the seats of corruption which filtered down to and infected the entire kingdoms.
1:8-16 Wailing and going about naked were signs of deep mourning. Beth-aphrah, Saphir, Zaanan, Beth-ezel, and
Maroth are all cities of Judah that have passed into obscurity. They seem to be mentioned by the prophet because,
by playing on the sounds and meanings of their names, he is able to graphically describe grave effects of the
Assyrian invasion of Judah. The glory of Israel is a reference to the leading citizens and nobility of Israel who have
been fleeing continuously before the Assyrian invasion.
Micah chapter 2
2:12, 13 The breaker is come up before them: This is a reference to Israel's Messiah (Jesus) who will break down
every obstacle between the people and their God. He will restore them, forgive their sins, and implant within them a
new heart.
Micah chapter 3
3:5-8 Cover their lips: They will be put to shame and will show this shame openly by covering their lips, which was
an oriental gesture to indicate shame and mourning.
Micah chapter 4
4:1-3 The phrase in the last days, as well as a comparison with other prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 2:2-4, indicates that
the prophet is looking beyond the restoration from the Babylonian captivity to the days of the Millennium when
every promise given to Abraham and to Israel will ultimately be fulfilled.
4:4-8 The vine and fig tree are both native to Israel. They flourish into luxuriant, natural arbors under which people
can sit and enjoy fellowship while being shaded from the heat of the day. Both were used symbolically to represent
the basic covenant between God and Israel in all its potential fruitfulness.