Micah 6:13

Therefore also will I make [thee] sick in smiting thee, in making [thee] desolate because of thy sins.

Therefore also will I make thee sick {H2470} in smiting {H5221} thee, in making thee desolate {H8074} because of thy sins {H2403}.

"Therefore, I am starting to strike you down, to destroy you because of your sins.

Therefore I am striking you severely, to ruin you because of your sins.

Therefore I also have smitten thee with a grievous wound; I have made thee desolate because of thy sins.

Micah 6:13 delivers a stern warning from the Lord, articulating the direct consequences of unrepentant sin for the people of Israel (specifically Judah). This verse is part of a powerful section (Micah 6:1-8) often described as a "covenant lawsuit" (Hebrew: rib), where God, acting as both prosecutor and judge, lays out His case against His people.

Context

The prophet Micah ministered in Judah during a period of significant moral decay, social injustice, and widespread idolatry, despite outward religious observance. Leading up to this verse, God has challenged His people, reminding them of His faithfulness (Micah 6:3-5) and then contrasting it with their deep-seated corruption. Verses 9-12 detail specific transgressions, such as dishonest weights, deceitful balances, and violence. Micah 6:13 is the Lord's direct declaration of the punishment that will befall them precisely "because of thy sins," emphasizing that their suffering is a just retribution for their persistent rebellion and injustice, contrary to what God truly desires, as expressed in Micah 6:8.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: This verse underscores God's righteous character, demonstrating that He will not overlook sin indefinitely. The "sickness" and "desolation" are not arbitrary but direct, proportional responses to the nation's spiritual and moral corruption.
  • Retribution for Injustice: The judgment is specifically tied to their sinful actions. The nation's internal sickness and external desolation reflect their spiritual sickness and the ruin they brought upon their society through their unrighteousness. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that disobedience to God's covenant leads to dire consequences.
  • God's Active Role: The phrase "will I make thee sick in smiting thee" highlights God's direct involvement in executing judgment. This is not merely a natural outcome of sin but a deliberate act of divine discipline.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used here are potent. "Sick" comes from ḥālāh (חָלָה), which implies being weak, diseased, or grieved, suggesting a debilitating condition. "Smiting" is from nākhāh (נָכָה), meaning to strike, beat, or wound, indicating a direct, forceful blow. "Desolate" is from shāmēm (שָׁמֵם), conveying a sense of being appalled, astonished, laid waste, or ruined, pointing to utter destruction or emptiness. These terms together paint a vivid picture of severe, comprehensive judgment affecting every aspect of their national life.

Practical Application

Micah 6:13 serves as a timeless reminder that sin carries consequences. While God is merciful and long-suffering, His justice demands a response to unrepentant rebellion. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the importance of living righteously, not just in outward religious practice, but in genuine integrity and justice towards others. It calls us to reflect on areas where we might be out of alignment with God's commands and to seek repentance and humility, trusting in God's grace while acknowledging His just character.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 12:23

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

  • Leviticus 26:16

    I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

  • Hosea 13:16

    Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

  • Psalms 107:17

    ¶ Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

  • Psalms 107:18

    Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

  • Deuteronomy 28:21

    The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

  • Deuteronomy 28:22

    The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.

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