Micah 1:11
Depart in shameful nakedness, O dwellers of Shaphir. The dwellers of Zaanan will not come out. Beth-ezel is in mourning; its support is taken from you.
Depart in shame
The phrase "Depart in shame" is a call to the inhabitants of Shaphir to leave their city in disgrace. The Hebrew root for "shame" here is "בּוֹשׁ" (bosh), which conveys a deep sense of humiliation and dishonor. In the context of ancient Israel, shame was a powerful social force, often associated with divine judgment. The call to depart in shame suggests a public acknowledgment of sin and failure, a theme consistent with the prophetic literature where the consequences of turning away from God are laid bare.

O inhabitants of Shaphir
"Shaphir" means "beautiful" or "pleasant" in Hebrew, which is ironic given the impending judgment. This city, likely located in the Shephelah region, was known for its beauty and prosperity. The mention of Shaphir serves as a reminder that external beauty and wealth are fleeting and cannot protect against divine judgment. The inhabitants' departure in shame underscores the futility of relying on worldly attributes when spiritual integrity is lacking.

the inhabitants of Zaanan
"Zaanan" is derived from the Hebrew root "יָצָא" (yatsa), meaning "to go out" or "to come forth." The irony here is palpable, as the inhabitants of Zaanan, whose name suggests movement or coming out, will not come out. This reflects their fear and inability to face the consequences of their actions. It highlights the paralysis that sin and impending judgment can bring, rendering people unable to act or respond appropriately.

will not come out
The phrase "will not come out" indicates a refusal or inability to face the reality of their situation. In the context of Micah's prophecy, this suggests a spiritual and moral paralysis. The people of Zaanan are so overwhelmed by fear and impending doom that they cannot muster the courage to confront their circumstances. This serves as a warning about the debilitating effects of sin and the importance of repentance and courage in the face of divine judgment.

Beth Ezel
"Beth Ezel" means "house of nearness" or "house of proximity" in Hebrew. The name suggests a place of refuge or support, which is now in mourning. The mourning of Beth Ezel signifies the loss of security and support that the people once relied upon. This reflects the broader theme of Micah, where places and things that people trust in apart from God are shown to be unreliable. It is a call to recognize that true security comes only from a right relationship with God.

is in mourning
The phrase "is in mourning" conveys a deep sense of loss and grief. Mourning in the ancient Near Eastern context often involved public displays of sorrow, such as wearing sackcloth and ashes. This mourning is not just for the loss of physical security but also for the spiritual desolation that has come upon the people. It is a call to repentance, urging the people to turn back to God in their time of distress.

its support is taken from you
The phrase "its support is taken from you" indicates the removal of stability and protection. The Hebrew word for "support" can also mean "foundation" or "base," suggesting that what the people relied upon has been stripped away. This serves as a powerful reminder that anything apart from God is ultimately unstable and unreliable. The prophetic message here is clear: only God provides a true and lasting foundation, and turning away from Him leads to inevitable collapse.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shaphir
A town whose name means "beautiful" or "pleasant" in Hebrew. The irony here is that its inhabitants are told to "depart in shame," contrasting with the town's name.

2. Zaanan
A town whose name means "going out" or "marching." The inhabitants are ironically noted for not coming out, highlighting their fear or inability to act.

3. Beth Ezel
A place whose name means "house of nearness" or "house of proximity." It is described as being in mourning, indicating a loss of support or protection.

4. Micah
The prophet delivering God's message of judgment against the towns of Judah for their sins and idolatry.

5. Judgment
The overarching event in this passage is the pronouncement of judgment against the towns of Judah, symbolizing the broader judgment against the nation for its unfaithfulness.
Teaching Points
The Irony of Names
The names of the towns (Shaphir, Zaanan, Beth Ezel) carry meanings that contrast with their current states. This serves as a reminder that our identity in God should align with our actions and circumstances.

The Reality of Judgment
God's judgment is real and affects both individuals and communities. It is a call to repentance and a return to righteousness.

The Importance of Support
Beth Ezel's mourning due to the loss of support highlights the importance of community and spiritual support in times of distress.

The Call to Action
The inhabitants of Zaanan not coming out serves as a warning against inaction in the face of sin and judgment. We are called to be proactive in our faith.

Mourning and Repentance
Mourning in the context of judgment is not just about sorrow but also about a call to repentance and turning back to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the irony in the names of the towns (Shaphir, Zaanan, Beth Ezel) reflect the spiritual state of the people, and how can this apply to our own lives?

2. In what ways does the judgment pronounced in Micah 1:11 serve as a warning for us today, and how can we respond to it?

3. How can we ensure that our communities provide the necessary support in times of spiritual and physical distress, as highlighted by the mourning of Beth Ezel?

4. What actions can we take to avoid the inaction of Zaanan's inhabitants, and how can we be proactive in our faith?

5. How does the theme of mourning in Micah 1:11 connect with other scriptures that call for repentance, and what steps can we take to align our lives with God's will?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 10:31-32
This passage also speaks of towns in distress and judgment, providing a broader context of God's judgment on the land.

Jeremiah 6:26
This verse calls for mourning and lamentation, similar to the mourning of Beth Ezel, emphasizing the seriousness of God's judgment.

Amos 5:16-17
Amos speaks of wailing and mourning in the streets, echoing the themes of lamentation found in Micah 1:11.
Moral IncurablenessHomilist
People
Ahaz, Hezekiah, Jacob, Jotham, Micah, Ophrah
Places
Achzib, Adullam, Beth-ezel, Beth-le-aphrah, Gath, Jerusalem, Lachish, Mareshah, Maroth, Moresheth, Moresheth-gath, Samaria, Shaphir, Zaanan, Zion
Topics
Base, Beth, Bethezel, Beth-ezel, Beth-e'zel, Escape, Exposed, Ezel, Forth, Inhabitant, Inhabitants, Inhabitress, Lamentation, Mourning, Naked, Nakedness, O, Pass, Protection, Receive, Resting-place, Saphir, Shame, Shameful, Shaphir, Shelter, Standing, Standing-place, Stay, Support, Thereof, Town, Uncovered, Wailing, Won't, Zaanan, Za'anan
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Micah 1:11

     5169   nakedness

Micah 1:10-11

     5880   humour

Library
A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Micah
Micah must have been a very striking personality. Like Amos, he was a native of the country--somewhere in the neighbourhood of Gath; and he denounces with fiery earnestness the sins of the capital cities, Samaria in the northern kingdom, and Jerusalem in the southern. To him these cities seem to incarnate the sins of their respective kingdoms, i. 5; and for both ruin and desolation are predicted, i. 6, iii. 12. Micah expresses with peculiar distinctness the sense of his inspiration and the object
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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