Micah 7:13

Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.

Notwithstanding the land {H776} shall be desolate {H8077} because of them that dwell {H3427} therein, for the fruit {H6529} of their doings {H4611}.

The earth will be desolate for those living in it, as a result of their deeds.

Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the fruit of their deeds.

Yet shall the land be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.

Commentary

Context of Micah 7:13

Micah 7:13 stands as a sobering interjection within a chapter that oscillates between lament, confession, and a powerful declaration of hope and future restoration. Following verses that speak of God's faithfulness and the eventual rebuilding of Jerusalem and the expansion of its borders (Micah 7:11-12), this verse serves as a stark reminder of the immediate or impending consequences of the people's sin. It clarifies that while God's ultimate plan is salvation and restoration, there will be a period of desolation and judgment for the land due to the unrighteousness of its inhabitants. This prophetic warning was particularly relevant to Judah, facing the threat of Assyrian and later Babylonian invasions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Justice: The verse powerfully underscores God's unwavering justice. The desolation is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of human actions. God is righteous in His judgments, ensuring that actions have corresponding outcomes.
  • Consequences of Sin: It highlights the severe repercussions of widespread disobedience and moral decay. The "fruit of their doings" directly leads to the land's ruin, emphasizing that sin carries collective and environmental penalties. This aligns with the biblical principle of reaping what is sown.
  • Accountability: The phrase "because of them that dwell therein" places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the people. It is their choices, their "doings," that bring about the desolate state, not some external force or arbitrary divine whim.
  • Desolation as Judgment: The desolation of the land served as a visible sign of God's displeasure and judgment upon His covenant people for their unfaithfulness. This desolation, often prophesied, served as a grim warning, as seen in passages like Leviticus 26:33.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fruit of their doings" (KJV) is a potent metaphor. In Hebrew, "fruit" (פְּרִי - p'ri) often denotes the outcome or consequence of actions, whether good or bad. "Doings" (מַעֲלָלִים - ma'alalim) refers to deeds or practices. The combination vividly portrays the inevitable harvest of one's behavior. The word for "desolate" (לִשְׁמָמָה - li-sh'mamah, from שָׁמֵם - shamem) conveys a sense of utter ruin, waste, and abandonment, often implying a state of shock or horror at the destruction.

Practical Application and Reflection

Micah 7:13 serves as a timeless reminder that actions have consequences. While God is merciful and offers hope for restoration, there is a very real principle of divine justice at play. For individuals, this means that unrepentant sin leads to spiritual and often tangible barrenness. For communities and nations, widespread unrighteousness can lead to societal decay and hardship. The verse calls us to:

  • Examine Our Lives: To consider the "fruit" of our own "doings" and whether they align with God's will.
  • Seek Righteousness: To understand that true prosperity and blessing, whether personal or collective, are tied to obedience and a pursuit of justice and holiness.
  • Embrace Repentance: To turn from destructive paths, knowing that God's ultimate desire is restoration, but repentance is often the pathway to it.

This verse, though stern, ultimately reinforces the truth that God is just and that His warnings are given out of love, to call His people back to Himself before the full weight of consequences is realized. It reminds us that our choices matter, not just for ourselves, but for the world around us.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 3:10 (5 votes)

    Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

  • Isaiah 3:11 (5 votes)

    Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  • Jeremiah 25:11 (3 votes)

    And this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

  • Jeremiah 17:10 (3 votes)

    I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Job 4:8 (2 votes)

    Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

  • Daniel 4:26 (2 votes)

    And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

  • Daniel 4:27 (2 votes)

    Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.