Overview
The prophet Micah, whose names means “who is like Jehovah,” prophesied in Judah during the reigns of Jothan, Ahaz and Hezekiah (750 B.C. to 687 B.C.). He was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea and delivered his message to both Israel and Judah. Micah’s prophecy was addressed primarily to the capitals of these two kingdoms, Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah). At the time of his prophecy, the Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) Kingdoms had not yet fallen to the Assyrians and Babylonians, respectively.
Micah expresses the injustice of Judah and the righteousness and justice of God. He addresses three main ideas in his prophecy, which are intermingled in the book, with abrupt transitions between present desolation and future glory:
* the sins of Samaria and Jerusalem
* the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem as a result of their sins
* the restoration of Samaria and Jerusalem - God’s justice will triumph and the divine Deliverer will come
Like many of the other prophets, Micah provides a clear prediction of the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant: a coming Savior.
Outline of Micah
Prediction of Judgment (chs. 1-3)
(1) Samaria doomed (ch. 1)
(2) Brutality of the rulers (ch. 2-3) - In addition to idolatry, Micah chastises the urban elite for exploiting the poor (2:1-5)
(3) Jerusalem also indicted (ch. 3)
Prediction of Restoration (chs. 4-5)
(1) Zion’s universal reign (ch. 4) — includes a vision of a warless, happy, prosperous, God-fearing world with Zion at its head
(2) Zion’s coming king (ch. 5) — Zion’s deliverance from Assyrians was, in some respects, a foreshadowing of a coming greater deliverance by the Savior of all humanity. In 5:2, Micah specifically names Bethlehem as the place from whence the Savior would come.
Plea for Repentance (chs. 6-7)
(1) Jehovah’s controversy with His people (ch. 6) — Micah points out the people’s sins: ingratitude toward God, religious pretence, dishonesty, idolatry. Micah describes a courtroom scene where God lays out His “charges” against His people.
(7) Zion’s final triumph (ch. 7) — Micah closes the book with hope. The same God who executes judgment also delights to extend mercy: “Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt give truth to Jacob and unchanging love to Abraham, which Thou didst swear to our forefathers from the days of old” (7:18-20).
Application
What have you learned about the unchanging love and compassion of God in pardoning your sins? Are you living accordingly?
One of the most well-known verses in Micah is found in chapter 6: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8). As you think about this verse, identify what it means for you to:
Do Justice -
Love Mercy -
Walk Humbly with your God -
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