Micah
Twelve Minor Prophets With Major Life Lessons (Series)
Historical setting:
Micah lived in the Southern kingdom of Judah during Isaiah’s leadership. The Northern and Southern kingdom’s were dishonoring God with worshiping false gods and immoral living.
Chapters 1 and 4a: Accusations and warnings
God appears over Israel with earthquakes and fire bringing judgement for over 500 years of rebellion.
The Leaders have stolen from their people. (1 Kings 21) Even their prophet are dishonest and immoral. They offer God’s blessings for anyone who will pay.
Bribery is used to favor the wealthy and the poor are taken advantage of in many ways. This is a violation of the Torah.
Micah tells them that God will stop protecting them, and that Assyria would defeat the Northern kingdom and then Jerusalem in the South. These warnings are not God’s final word.
(2:12-13) God will Shepherd the remnant of His people. (4:1-7) God will one day exalt Jerusalem’s destroyed temple, and fill it with a remnant of His people. God will make Israel the meeting place of heaven and earth for people of all nations, bringing peace.
Micah 4b-5
Poems about the future hope of Israel and the nations. After the Assyrian attack, Israel will be defeated and exiled to Babylon. But from Babylon, God will bring his people back to Israel.
Then in the New Jerusalem, a new Messianic King from the line of David will be born in Bethlehem, and eventually rule in Jerusalem over God’s restored people.
In God’s Messianic kingdom, the faithful remnant will become the blessing among the nations.
Then God will bring a final justice to get rid of all evil.
Chapters 6-7 Warnings and hope
Micah elaborates on Israel’s unjust economic practices and it’s consequences.
In Micah 6:8, he defines what it means to follow their God. This is the exact opposite of what Israel has done, so they will experience devastation.
Micah 7:8-20 Ends with a message of hope. All Israel is represented by a person who is alone, suffering and defeated. An image of Israel’s defeat and exile. Watching and begging for God’s mercy.
Micah gives two reasons why God would respond.
1-Because of God’s character. (Micah 7:18)
2-Because of God’s promises. (Micah 7:20)
Referring to God’s covenant promises to Abraham. (Genesis 12 & 15) All nations will find blessing through Abraham.