Hear what the LORD says:
Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the LORD,
and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the LORD has an indictment against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
“O my people, what have I done to you?
How have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,
and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”
Comment: Chapter 5 ends with God listing the things which Israel are practicing and which God intends to root out. I can imagine the people being upset because they are so involved in and their loving of the things which God says must go. So they complain loudly enough to stir God to issue a challenge. He names the age old hills (which have seen it all happen) as the jury and challenges the people to plead their case against Him. Their silence is complete, they don’t dare utter a word in this court! Complaining behind God’s back is easier than challenging Him face to face! God says to His people ‘then the jury will hear my case against you’. Then he lists what He has done for them and why He can expect obedience.
- I delivered you from slavery in Egypt.
- I gave you sufficient and excellent leadership.
- Remember the saving help that I provided against your enemies, and He cites Balak and Balaam.
- ‘Shittim to Gilgal’, indicates that from the time they entered the wilderness, escaping from Egypt, until they entered the promised land, God had been with them.
- And God challenges them to think about His goodness to them!
Prayer: Please give me a good memory to recall all Your mercy and blessings to me, O Lord.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. You described a clear picture of a Court, and of the Jury listening to God bringing His case against His people. Remembering the good things that God has done for each one of us should give an “attitude of gratitude” and bring us to a place where we can see God’s blessings which He sends to each one of us each day of our lives. God bless you.
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