Micah 6:15

Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

Thou shalt sow {H2232}, but thou shalt not reap {H7114}; thou shalt tread {H1869} the olives {H2132}, but thou shalt not anoint {H5480} thee with oil {H8081}; and sweet wine {H8492}, but shalt not drink {H8354} wine {H3196}.

You will sow but will not reap, you will press olives but not rub yourself with oil, likewise you will press grapes but not drink the wine.

You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.

Thou shalt sow, but shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but shalt not anoint thee with oil; and the vintage, but shalt not drink the wine.

Context

Micah 6 is a powerful section, often called "Yahweh's Lawsuit" against His people. God pleads His case, reminding Israel of His faithfulness (e.g., deliverance from Egypt, Balaam's prophecy) and then confronting them with their widespread injustice, idolatry, and ethical failures. Verses 10-16 detail the specific sins, particularly economic deceit and violence, and outline the resulting judgments. This verse (6:15) is part of those promised consequences for their disobedience and unfaithfulness, particularly in contrast to the righteous living God requires in Micah 6:8.

Key Themes

  • Futility of Labor: The core message is that human effort, no matter how diligent, will be rendered fruitless without divine blessing. The natural cycle of sowing and reaping is broken as a direct consequence of sin.
  • Divine Judgment: This verse is a clear manifestation of God's disciplinary judgment upon a rebellious people. It's an economic curse, ensuring that the fruit of their toil will not be enjoyed.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The passage illustrates the direct link between a nation's moral and spiritual decline and its material hardship. This serves as a solemn warning against neglecting God's commands.
  • Loss of Enjoyment: Beyond mere economic failure, there's a profound sense of loss of joy and satisfaction from one's hard work, symbolizing a deeper spiritual emptiness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used here emphasize the active engagement in work ("sow," "tread," "make wine") followed immediately by the negation of the expected outcome ("not reap," "not anoint," "not drink"). This stark contrast highlights the divine intervention that frustrates their efforts. The phrase "thou shalt not anoint thee with oil" implies not only a lack of oil for consumption but also for personal use and celebration, which was common in ancient Israel. Similarly, not drinking the sweet wine, a symbol of joy and prosperity, underscores the removal of blessing and the absence of celebration.

Related Scriptures

This theme of working hard but not benefiting from one's labor due to divine judgment is echoed in other prophetic books, such as Haggai 1:6, where the people are similarly afflicted. It also strongly parallels the curses outlined in the covenant law, specifically in Leviticus 26:16 and Deuteronomy 28:38-40, which describe similar scenarios of sowing much but gathering little, and treading grapes but not drinking the wine. These passages reinforce the principle that divine blessing or judgment directly impacts the fruitfulness of human endeavors.

Practical Application

Micah 6:15 serves as a timeless reminder that true prosperity and satisfaction are ultimately dependent on God's blessing, which is often tied to our faithfulness to Him. While we are called to work diligently, this verse cautions against relying solely on human effort or accumulating wealth through unjust means. It encourages introspection, prompting us to examine our spiritual state and whether our lives align with God's will. When we neglect justice, mercy, and humility before God, our efforts, no matter how strenuous, may ultimately prove futile. It encourages seeking God's favor first, understanding that His hand can either bless our labor or withhold its fruit.

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.

  • Zephaniah 1:13

    Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

  • Amos 5:11

    Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

  • Jeremiah 12:13

    They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, [but] shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 62:8

    The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn [to be] meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

  • Isaiah 62:9

    But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

  • Deuteronomy 28:38

    Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather [but] little in; for the locust shall consume it.

  • Deuteronomy 28:40

    Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint [thyself] with the oil; for thine olive shall cast [his fruit].

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