The voice of the rod.
God's voice has often called to Jerusalem in mercy and in warning; now it cries in judgment it is the voice of the rod. Notice—
I. THE SINS THAT CALL FOR IT. In the context many of the chief national sins are once more enumerated, such as ill-gotten gains (Micah 6:10), false weights and measures (Micah 6:10, Micah 6:11), oppression of the poor by the petty magnates of the city (Micah 6:12), habitual fraud and falsehood (Micah 6:12). Apply these illustrations to some of England's national sins. But as though these were not enough, there were added thereto the sins of the darkest period of the northern kingdom, viz. from Omri to Jehu. These sins included the establishment of idolatry and all the immoralities associated with Baal worship, the persecution of God's faithful servants (1 Kings 18:13; 1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 22:27), and oppression even by the highest (e.g. Naboth). In the days of Ahaz the kingdom of Judah sank to such a level as this. All these evils were concentrated at Jerusalem, so that it is to this city the rod appeals.
II. THE MESSAGES IT BRINGS. Some elements of distinct retributive justice are discernible.
1. Uneasiness, from consciousness of guilt, while pursuing and seeking to enjoy their nefarious courses. Conscience may be like an Elijah confronting Ahab in Naboth's vineyard. Illust.: Shakespeare's Richard III.
2. As they defrauded the poor, so should they be bitterly disappointed when seeking the fruit of their own labour (Micah 6:14; Ecclesiastes 6:1, Ecclesiastes 6:2).
3. Their labour would be for the benefit of others, and all their efforts to secure it for themselves would be as much frustrated as were the toilsome labours of those whom they had defrauded (Micah 6:14, Micah 6:15). For they can save nothing from the hand of God.
4. Thus their wounds would be incurable (Micah 6:13), and their ill-gotten gain a treasure of wrath (James 5:1-4).
5. These luxurious and delicate ones should become a scandal and a reproach to all around them (Micah 6:16).
III. THE SPIRIT THAT WILL SILENCE IT.
1. Recognizing God's hand as holding it. He "hath appointed it." (Illustrate from Isaiah 10:5; Jeremiah 47:6, Jeremiah 47:7; so now Amos 3:6.)
2. Listening to God's voice speaking through it. Their great sin in the past has been the disregard of God's voice (Isaiah 48:18; Jeremiah 13:15-17). The voices of entreaty and warning were not heard, so now the voice of chastisement speaks. Yet even in the time of such chastisement there might be hope (Proverbs 1:24-27, Proverbs 1:33; and see Le 26:40-45).
3. Honouring God's Name. "The man of wisdom shall see thy Name." God's Name declares his character, and it is his character as a holy God that requires the punishment of the unrighteous (Exodus 34:7). So long as men persist in sin, they must remain under the wrath of God. Sinning and punishment are inseparable. Till sinners "see God's Name" by recognizing its meaning and learning that they can honour it by nothing but a renunciation of sin, the voice of the rod must be heard even through the ages of eternity.—E.S.P.
HOMILIES BY A. ROWLAND