Micah 6:13-16

God’s case against Israel ended with a guilty verdict. They had broken their covenant, and according to the law, God was no longer obligated to honor His special relationship with them. Micah explained to them what it meant when God withdraws His hand of protection. It was going to result in their total ruin, and it had already begun. Because of their sins, their enemies were coming after them and they could no longer hide behind the promises of God.

Some of their downfall was a natural consequence of sin. Micah described it as always eating, but never been satisfied. We see this natural consequence lived out in the world around us. Micah’s description fits every sinful addiction known to man. Sex addicts become more depraved but they are unable to fill their inner hunger. Drug addiction drives the addicts to take greater and greater doses and their highs grow shorter and shorter. God does not cause this; it is a natural result of sin.

Micah told them they would store up treasures, yet it would save nothing. An economist might make the case that inflation works like this and is the result of national economic sin. They might be right, but even more is the truth that no matter how rich they were, they could not buy safety. Their wealth did not save them when the enemy was beating down the gate. Many a dictator has learned that treasure does not buy loyalty and it does not buy security.

In spite of the coming destruction, Micah observes that life would continue as normal. Workers were planting the field, pressing olives and crushing the grapes. However, before the harvest, the land would have new owners. The oil and the wine would be in the warehouses of the conquering armies.

Israel’s enemies ruined them. God’s punishment was not what He did, God’s punishment was what He did not do; he did not save them. Only a sinful fool continues disrespecting God while expecting God to save them.