Micah 5:13
I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands.
I will remove
The phrase "I will remove" indicates a divine action initiated by God Himself. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "וְהִכְרַתִּי" (ve-hikhrati), which conveys a sense of cutting off or destroying. This reflects God's sovereign authority and His commitment to purifying His people from idolatry. Historically, this action is consistent with God's covenantal promise to Israel, where He repeatedly calls for the removal of idols to maintain a pure and devoted relationship with Him.

your carved images
"Carved images" refers to idols that were physically crafted by human hands, often from wood or stone, and worshipped as deities. The Hebrew term "פְּסִילֶיךָ" (pesilekha) is used here, emphasizing the tangible, man-made nature of these objects. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such images were common in pagan worship, and their presence among the Israelites was a direct violation of the first and second commandments. This phrase underscores the futility of worshipping created things rather than the Creator.

and sacred stones
The "sacred stones" or "מַצֵּבוֹת" (matzevot) in Hebrew, were standing stones often used in Canaanite religious practices as altars or memorials to false gods. These stones were considered holy by those who worshipped them, yet they were abominations in the sight of the Lord. The removal of these stones signifies God's desire to eliminate all forms of idolatry and syncretism from His people, calling them back to exclusive worship of Him.

from among you
This phrase highlights the personal and communal aspect of idolatry within the nation of Israel. The Hebrew "מִקִּרְבֶּךָ" (mi-qirbekha) suggests an internal cleansing, not just a physical removal but a spiritual purification from within the community. It reflects God's intimate involvement with His people, desiring their hearts to be wholly devoted to Him.

and you will no longer bow down
The act of bowing down, or "תִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶה" (tishtaḥaveh) in Hebrew, is a posture of worship and submission. This phrase indicates a future transformation where the people will cease to worship idols. It is a prophetic promise of renewal and repentance, where the hearts of the people will turn back to God, recognizing His supremacy and rejecting false worship.

to the work of your hands
This phrase, "מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ" (ma'aseh yadeikha), emphasizes the irony and folly of idolatry—worshipping objects that are crafted by human effort. It serves as a reminder of the Creator-creature distinction, where humans are meant to worship God, not the things they create. This critique of idolatry is consistent throughout Scripture, highlighting the absurdity of attributing divine power to lifeless objects.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Micah
A prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah delivered messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah and Israel. His prophecies often addressed social injustice and idolatry.

2. Judah and Israel
The divided kingdoms of God's chosen people during Micah's time. Both kingdoms struggled with idolatry and turning away from God.

3. Idolatry
The worship of idols or images, which was a significant issue in Israel and Judah. It involved the creation and veneration of physical objects as deities.

4. Carved Images and Sacred Pillars
Physical representations of deities that the Israelites were tempted to worship, contrary to God's commandments.

5. God's Judgment and Restoration
The overarching theme of Micah's prophecy, where God promises to judge the people's sins but also offers hope for restoration.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just an ancient problem but a present-day issue. Anything that takes the place of God in our lives can become an idol.

God's Desire for Exclusive Worship
God desires our undivided worship and allegiance. He is a jealous God who will not share His glory with another.

The Futility of Idols
Idols are the work of human hands and have no power. Trusting in them leads to spiritual emptiness and separation from God.

Repentance and Removal
True repentance involves removing idols from our lives, both physical and metaphorical, and turning back to God wholeheartedly.

Hope in Restoration
God's judgment is not the end. He promises restoration and renewal for those who turn back to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we identify them in our lives?

2. How does the commandment against idolatry in Exodus 20 relate to Micah 5:13, and what does this tell us about God's character?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our worship remains focused on God alone, avoiding the temptation to "bow down to the work of our hands"?

4. How does the New Testament teaching on idolatry, such as in 1 Corinthians 10:14, reinforce the message of Micah 5:13?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's restoration after turning away from an "idol" in your life. How did this experience deepen your faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-4
The commandment against idolatry, which sets the foundation for understanding God's prohibition of carved images and sacred pillars.

Isaiah 2:8
Another prophetic voice condemning the worship of idols, highlighting the widespread issue of idolatry among God's people.

1 Corinthians 10:14
Paul's exhortation to flee from idolatry, showing the continuity of this commandment into the New Testament.
God's Depriving Dispensation Towards MenHomilistMicah 5:10-14
God's Depriving Dispensation Towards MenD. Thomas Micah 5:10-15
People
Ephratah, Israelites, Jacob, Micah, Nimrod
Places
Assyria, Bethlehem, Nimrod, Zion
Topics
Bow, Carved, Cut, Engraved, Graven, Hands, Images, Longer, Midst, Pillars, Sacred, Standing, Standing-pillars, Statues, Stones, Thyself, Worship
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Micah 5:13

     4366   stones
     5138   bowing
     8771   idolatry, objections

Micah 5:13-14

     5211   art

Micah 5:13-15

     8748   false religion

Library
'A Dew from the Lord'
'The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.'--MICAH v. 7. The simple natural science of the Hebrews saw a mystery in the production of the dew on a clear night, and their poetic imagination found in it a fit symbol for all silent and gentle influences from heaven that refreshed and quickened parched and dusty souls. Created by an inscrutable process in silence and darkness, the dewdrops lay innumerable
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
I want to conduct you in such a frame of mind through the glories of my text. First, bidding you observe the perpetual reign of Christ: "He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God;" then I shall beg you to observe that flowing from this is the perpetual continuance of his church: "and they shall abide;" and then proceeding both from his continued reign and from the Church's consequent perpetual existence comes the greatness of our King: "for
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
"Who with more care keep holiday The wrong, than others the right way." The old Puritans made a parade of work on Christmas-day, just to show that they protested against the observance of it. But we believe they entered that protest so completely, that we are willing, as their descendants, to take the good accidentally conferred by the day, and leave its superstitions to the superstitious. To proceed at once to what we have to say to you: we notice, first, who it was that sent Christ forth. God the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Whether this is a Good Definition of Eternity, "The Simultaneously-Whole and Perfect Possession of Interminable Life"?
Objection 1: It seems that the definition of eternity given by Boethius (De Consol. v) is not a good one: "Eternity is the simultaneously-whole and perfect possession of interminable life." For the word "interminable" is a negative one. But negation only belongs to what is defective, and this does not belong to eternity. Therefore in the definition of eternity the word "interminable" ought not to be found. Objection 2: Further, eternity signifies a certain kind of duration. But duration regards existence
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

And Again the Prophet Micah Speaks of the Place Where Christ Should be Born...
And again the prophet Micah speaks of the place where Christ should be born, that it should be in Bethlehem of Judæa, saying thus: And thou, Bethlehem of Judæa, art thou the least among the princes of Judah? for out of, thee shall come a prince who shall feed my people Israel. [229] (Micah v. 2) But Bethlehem is the native place [230] of David: so that not only in respect of the Virgin who bore Him is He of David's race, but also in respect of His birth in Bethlehem the native place of
Irenæus—The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

Balaam
He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me.'--NUM. xxii. 6. Give a general outline of the history. See Bishop Butler's great sermon. I. How much knowledge and love of good there may be in a bad man. Balaam was a prophet: (a) He knew something of the divine character,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt
With the Presentation of the Infant Saviour in the Temple, and His acknowledgment - not indeed by the leaders of Israel, but, characteristically, by the representatives of those earnest men and women who looked for His Advent - the Prologue, if such it may be called, to the third Gospel closes. From whatever source its information was derived - perhaps, as has been suggested, its earlier portion from the Virgin-Mother, the later from Anna; or else both alike from her, who with loving reverence and
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Signs of the Redeemer's Return
As we have shown in the last chapter, the apostles and their converts looked for Christ to return in their own lifetime. They did not affirm that He would but they believed that He might. But eighteen centuries have passed since then and yet He has not come. The question therefore arises, What evidence is there that the second advent of our Lord is now nigh at hand--that is, nigh as judged even by human measurement of time? May there not be another eighteen centuries which must yet run their weary
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Greatest Trial on Record
Brethren, as the Lord gave commandment concerning even the ashes and offal of the sacrifices, we ought to think no matter trivial which stands in connection with our great burnt offering. My admonition is, "Gather up the fragments which remain, that nothing be lost." As goldsmiths sweep their shops, to save even the filings of the gold, so every word of Jesus should be treasured up as very precious. But, indeed, the narrative to which I invite you is not unimportant. Things which were purposed of
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863

The Song of Solomon.
An important link in the chain of the Messianic hopes is formed by the Song of Solomon. It is intimately associated with Ps. lxxii., which was written by Solomon, and represents the Messiah as the Prince of Peace, imperfectly prefigured by Solomon as His type. As in this Psalm, so also in the Song of Solomon, the coming of the Messiah forms the subject throughout, and He is introduced there under the name of Solomon, the Peaceful One. His coming shall be preceded by severe afflictions, represented
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
The duty of Covenanting is founded on the law of nature; but it also stands among the arrangements of Divine mercy made from everlasting. The promulgation of the law, enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty, was due to God's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power. The revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin, arose from his unmerited grace. In the one display, we contemplate the authority of the righteous moral Governor of the universe; in the other, we see
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Millennium in Relation to Sin.
In spite of the fact that Satan will have been removed from the earth, and that Christ reigns in person over it, yet conditions here will not be perfect even in the Millennium. Unregenerate human nature will remain unchanged. Sin will still be present, though much of its outward manifestation will be restrained. Discontent and wickedness will not be eradicated from the hearts of men, but will be kept beneath the surface by means of the Iron Rod. Multitudes will yield to Christ nothing but a "feigned
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
"And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land" (Gen. 15:17, 18). Here the two great periods of Israel's history was made known to Abram in figure. The vision of the smoking furnace and the burning lamp intimated that the history of Abraham's descendants was to be a checkered one. It was a prophecy in
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Restoration of Israel is Only Made Possible by the Second Advent of Christ.
Under this head we shall seek to prove briefly three things--that Israel as a nation will be restored, that Israel's restoration occurs at the Return of Christ, that Israel's restoration will result in great blessing to the whole world. That Israel as a nation will be actually and literally restored is declared again and again in the Word of God. We quote now but two prophecies from among scores of similar ones:--"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch,
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
1. The most important point here is to keep in mind the organic unity of the Old Testament. Its predictions are not isolated, but features of one grand prophetic picture; its ritual and institutions parts of one great system; its history, not loosely connected events, but an organic development tending towards a definite end. Viewed in its innermost substance, the history of the Old Testament is not different from its typical institutions, nor yet these two from its predictions. The idea, underlying
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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