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Daily Devotions

Micah

Micah 
Day 
Day 76

"The statutes of Omri"

Text: Micah 6:16

ONE OF THE WORST DYNASTIES OF ISRAEL

One of the worst dynasties of Israel was the house of Omri. Micah brought up his name as a historical and relevant reference.

“For the statutes of Omri are kept;
All the works of Ahab’s house are done;
And you walk in their counsels;
That I may make you a desolation,
And your inhabitants a hissing.
Therefore you shall bear the reproach of My people.”
Micah 6:16

1. Omri and Ahab

a) Omri was the father of Ahab.

Their wicked reigns were recorded in 1 Kings 16-22.

b) Omri reigned for 12 years; he fought Tibni for the throne of Israel (1 Kings 16).
i) He made Samaria the new capital of Israel (1 Kings 16:24).
ii) He was strongly idolatrous and caused God to be angry (1 Kings 16:25-26).
c) Ahab reigned 22 years.
i) He did evil in God’s sight (1 Kings 16:30).
ii) He married a notoriously wicked wife called Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31)
d) God raised up the mighty prophet to stand up to King Ahab (1 Kings 17).

2. The statutes of Omri and the deeds of Ahab

a) These were practised widely in Judah.
b) The people walked in the wicked counsels of the former kings of Israel.

3. “That I may make you a desolation”

a) God Himself will mete out the judgment and punishment.
b) The enemies would conquer the nation.
c) Judah would become “a desolation”.

4. “And your inhabitants a hissing”

a) Passers-by would “hiss” at the inhabitants of Judah.
b) This is done in a derogative manner.
c) The nation would be badly despised.

5. “Therefore you shall bear the reproach of My people”

The nation continues to be regarded as God’s people. But this was a period of chastising. Many inhabitants would have to learn how to endure and bear the heart-breaking reproach that would befall Judah.