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"Pass by in naked shame"

Text: Micah 1:11

DEEP SORROW

The articulate and skilled poet that was Micah found further expressions for his sorrow.

“Pass by in naked shame, you inhabitant of Shaphir;
The inhabitant of Zaanan does not go out.
Beth Ezel mourns;
Its place to stand is taken away from you.”
Micah 1:11

1. Micah made use of the names of towns to express his sorrow

a) He is still determined that the enemies of Israel should not gloat over the pitiful state of Israel.

b) Hence, he found himself making full use of his literary skill to express deep sorrow felt within.

2. Three towns

a) These were mentioned.

b) On each, there was a masterful word-play.

c) Only those in Israel would understand these expressions of deep grief.

3. “Pass by in naked shame, you inhabitant of Shaphir”

a) “Shaphir” means “pleasant”.

b) The people (inhabitants) were usually well-dressed.

c) Now they must walk “in naked shame” (no longer concerned about being “well-dressed”).

d) This was a suitable expression of sorrow.

4. “The inhabitant of Zaanan does not go out”

a) The word “Zaanan” means “to go out”.

b) The people living in Zaanan loved “going out”.

c) Now they do not go out.

d) This is another valid expression of sorrow.

5. “Beth Ezel mourns; Its place to stand is taken away”

a) The word “Ezel” means “taken away”.

b) The people living in this city mourns deeply.

c) The support that it has would be “taken away”.

d) And living in the higher regions, when support is “taken away” there would be sadness felt.

e) The place of Ezel might well be no more when the Assyrians come and take the people away.

f) This is another acceptable way of expressing deep sorrow.