We take pride in what we gather. Be it awards, grandchildren, cars, or even friends on Facebook.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”
And to be dispersed would indeed be a tragedy, but Micah was given a vision of what was approaching both Israel and Judah as a result of their apostasy:
- Samaria, the capital of Israel whose stones were gathered to protect them would be scattered and the wealth accumulated through pagan worship would be transferred to others (Micah 1:6-7).
- The residents of Judah, including Micah, would be led away as captives (Micah 1:8-9).
Jesus told a parable that is strikingly parallel to the events of this passage. It was said after a person in the crowd expressed concern over the handling of their family's estate. Jesus cautioned him that ". . . one's life does not consist in the abundance" (Luke 12:15) and described what happens to one who only gathers:
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
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