Tell it not in Gath, weep not at all in Beth Aphrah, roll yourself in the dust. Micah 1:10
The prophet Micah was calling the people of God to lament for the terrible judgment that would come as a result of Israel’s sin and wickedness. However, he told them not to tell it in Gath. Micah was lamenting the way David did when Saul and Jonathan were slain. “Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon—lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph” (2 Sam. 1:20).
Here lies the quality of an excellent spirit. Though it seemed that Israel well deserved all those terrible punishments because of her disobedience, the prophet wanted to conceal the fault of his own people and did not want the enemies of Israel to hear of it. Love teaches us to see the best in those we love and to say nothing of those things that are evil. Love suffers long and is kind; love thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
In fact, God will not overlook those who rejoice over the calamity of others. “He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished” (Prov. 17:5). Micah was deeply concerned for the honor of God. He would not want the people of God to be put to shame or be laughed at by their enemies. A spiritually mature person is sensitive to how God feels and he is jealous for the name of God. As Micah thought about the hardship the people would suffer and the reproach on God’s name, he was totally heartbroken. “Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked; I will make a wailing like the jackals and a mourning like the ostriches, for her wounds are incurable. For it has come to Judah; it has come to the gate of My people—To Jerusalem” (Mic. 1:8-9).
David was also such a man. When Saul, his arch enemy, was slain, he did not celebrate or become an opportunist and claim the throne for himself. Instead, David lamented (2 Sam. 1:17-27). In his elegy for Saul and Jonathan, he only celebrated that which was praiseworthy in Saul. David was deeply concerned for the welfare of the people of God. It was the beauty of Israel that was slain and the honor of the people of God that was disgraced (1:19). The mighty had just fallen and so the strength of the people was weakened. Public losses are most important to the heart of men with public spirit. Be a person with an excellent spirit like Micah and King David. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). Be jealous for the name of the Lord and protect the honor of our God and His people.
The prophet Micah was calling the people of God to lament for the terrible judgment that would come as a result of Israel’s sin and wickedness. However, he told them not to tell it in Gath. Micah was lamenting the way David did when Saul and Jonathan were slain. “Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon—lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph” (2 Sam. 1:20).
Here lies the quality of an excellent spirit. Though it seemed that Israel well deserved all those terrible punishments because of her disobedience, the prophet wanted to conceal the fault of his own people and did not want the enemies of Israel to hear of it. Love teaches us to see the best in those we love and to say nothing of those things that are evil. Love suffers long and is kind; love thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
In fact, God will not overlook those who rejoice over the calamity of others. “He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished” (Prov. 17:5). Micah was deeply concerned for the honor of God. He would not want the people of God to be put to shame or be laughed at by their enemies. A spiritually mature person is sensitive to how God feels and he is jealous for the name of God. As Micah thought about the hardship the people would suffer and the reproach on God’s name, he was totally heartbroken. “Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked; I will make a wailing like the jackals and a mourning like the ostriches, for her wounds are incurable. For it has come to Judah; it has come to the gate of My people—To Jerusalem” (Mic. 1:8-9).
David was also such a man. When Saul, his arch enemy, was slain, he did not celebrate or become an opportunist and claim the throne for himself. Instead, David lamented (2 Sam. 1:17-27). In his elegy for Saul and Jonathan, he only celebrated that which was praiseworthy in Saul. David was deeply concerned for the welfare of the people of God. It was the beauty of Israel that was slain and the honor of the people of God that was disgraced (1:19). The mighty had just fallen and so the strength of the people was weakened. Public losses are most important to the heart of men with public spirit. Be a person with an excellent spirit like Micah and King David. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). Be jealous for the name of the Lord and protect the honor of our God and His people.
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