I have to say, as a relatively new wife, this proverb has gained some significance for me of late. After all, no one wants to be so hard to live with that someone would prefer the roof if that means getting away from you.

Of course, this proverb isn’t just for wives.

Reading this section helps us to see that Micah’s message is quite clear. He dissects the external and internal crises of Jerusalem and Samaria by speaking to four different audiences about the inner spiritual connection of their crises. The four groups are the political establishment (princes, elders, and military officials), the judicial powers, the religious establishment (including priests and prophets) and the rich landowners.

The inner structure of the book begins to take shape. It reads like a case brought before the court, using a literary device referred to as a rib. The first case is chapters 1-5. As we have seen in the first three chapters, the case presented includes the consequences of not following God.

The first judicial case comes to an abrupt conclusion in this chapter. Although the text has long given commentators interpretive dilemmas, the prophetic, yet apocalyptic language, gave the first readers an imminent expectation. From Bethlehem would come hope and deliverance (v. 2-3) in the most majestic ways imaginable (v. 4-5a).

The second legal case (6:1-5) begins with the accusation of corporate ingratitude and the emptiness of the people’s religious rituals (6:6-8). Justice and loyalty are absent (6:9-7:6). Once again, the rib concludes with the certainty of pardon (7:7-20).

The first section of the litigation is a dialogue between the LORD and the people (Micah is the spokesperson).

The tragedy of the second half of Micah 6 (guilty as charged!), leads to lament (7:1-6). “I feel so empty inside!” (v. 1) says the author. No harvest, no godly persons; only murderers, corruption and collusion, family discord – all utter despair.

When there’s a repetition of a text, it’s obviously important – a mnemonic device to capture attention, aid memory and precipitate action. “Restore us, O God” is the echoing heart cry of this psalm (compare vv 3, 7, 19), a visceral plea for God to “make us strong again” (CEV), “smile your blessing smile” (Msg), “bring us back” (GNT), “make your face shine down upon us” (NLT).