Micah 1:8

Micah 1:8 says, Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.  Micah was not happy to be bringing these promises of destruction to those who were called God's people.  We today should not be happy at the judgment of those who are hypocritical in their claim to be God's people.  We should be filled with great sorrow as Micah was.  Verse nine adds, For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.  I believe that Micah was telling the people that there was no easy way for them to be restored to God.  Though God offers us peace and protection through our faith in Him, if we make a hypocritical profession and continue to chase other gods, then His judgment is certain.  Verse ten continues, Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.  Micah begins to speak of particular places, starting with Gath.  Matthew Henry says that though God's people would be reduced to mourning that they weren't to do so in the presence of those who were God's enemies.  When we are guilty of sin, or know someone who is, we should repent without allowing God's enemies to use our repentance to discredit God.  In the next few verses Micah refers to particular cities and God's coming judgment.  Verse eleven states, Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing.  The people of Saphir were known for their finery and beauty, but they would be stripped bare.  The people of Zaanan were known for their agricultural abilities, but these were going to fail under God's judgment.  Bethezel was near by, but there was to be no relief found there.  No matter what people feel makes them great, they will stand before God's judgment with nothing of value from this world, nor is there any place that they can flee to for safety.  Verse twelve adds, For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem.  I believe that Micah was saying that waiting for good is not enough.  While they waited, God's judgment came.  Verse thirteen continues, O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.  Micah said that the people of Lachish had started to rely on their own power and to fall into idolatry, but their military strength would fail.  The next two verses speak of the futility of turning to other nations for deliverance.  Verse fourteen says, Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.  Then verse fifteen adds, Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.  When deliverance came, it would be through God, and not through any ability of people to deliver themselves.  Verse sixteen continues, Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.  Micah said that all that the people of Israel and Judah could do was sincerely mourn their disobedience to God.  We can never find peace and security anywhere but in following the will of God.  When we fall into sin, the only thing we can do is sincerely repent and ask God's forgiveness.