Micah - Overview of a Biblical Prophet

Micah, a prophet from 725-695 B.C.E., delivered messages of justice, leadership, and hope to the people of Zion. His prophecies included indictments against the nation and calls for justice, covenant loyalty, and hope. The book of Micah is structured into sections outlining God's power, leadership in Zion, and coming to God with justice. Key themes include an indictment of injustice, the promise of a deliverer from Bethlehem, and proper responses to God's anger. Micah's background places him contemporaneous with Isaiah, ministering during the Assyrian crisis.

• Micah
• Prophet
• Biblical
• Justice
• Hope

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1. Micah 725-695 B.C.E. Bible Study Myron Heavin

2. Micah - Outline Background I. Prologue (1:1) II. God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13) III. Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15) IV. Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope (6:1-7:20) Bibliography

3. Micah Outline Symetry God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13) Indictment and Judgment Against the People (1:2-2:11) Hope for the People (2:12-13) II. Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15) Indictment and Judgment against Leaders (3) Hope for Lord s Leadership and Restoration (4:1-8) Current Crisis and Deliverance (4:9-5:9) Future Purging (5:10-15) III. Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope (6:1-7:20) Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation (6:1-7:7) Hope for the Nation (7:8-20 I. I. II. I. II. III. IV. I. II.

4. Micah - Organization 3 Sections organized as Call to: Listen to the word of the Lord Initial section: Describing sin of the people and its consequences Ending: Note of hope

5. Micah Key Ideas Andrew Hill and John Walton An Indictment of Injustice The throne of David to be filled by a deliverer born in Bethlehem Right behavior, not manipulating rituals, as the proper response to God s anger The coming deliverance from the Assyrian threat

6. Micah - Background Purpose: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgressions, to Israel his sin (3:8). Message: That the people, particularly upper class, were guilty of injustice leading to their destruction and exile Destruction of cult places Political devastation Personal judgment against specific offenders Spiritual judgment, depriving prophets of revelation Socioeconomic judgment, affecting fertility of the land

7. Micah - Background Contemporary of Isaiah From small town of Moresheth, Judah Never mentions he preached/prophesized in temple Quoted 100 years later by Jeremiah (26:18-19) Prophesized to kings: Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Ministered thru the Assyrian crisis

8. Micah - @ 742-695 BC

9. Micah - Theology God is holy, he must act in justice against those enemies of his who act unjustly This includes Israel, Judah, (and us) God is also a forgiving, compassionate, and merciful God, who will keep his oath to Abraham (7:18-20) God will restore his oppressed people and reign in power from Zion forever (2:12-13; 4:6-8)

10. Northern Kingdom Worship Centers Dan Bethel Mixed Baal/God worship Each had golden calf Capital City Samaria Baal Worship Temple

11. Baal Worship in Israel Official Religion of Israel (Northern Kingdom) Blended worship with God Baal Temple in Samaria Capital of Israel 1 Kings 16:29-34; 18:13, 19 1 Kings 19:18; 2 Kings 10:18-28

12. Timeline of Minor Prophets

13. Death and Life (1:1-11) A Reluctant Prophet and Yahweh (1:1-3) Israel hated Assyria Nineveh was capital city of Assyria Jonah/Israel thought God was a regional God He could flee to Tarshish to escape from God

14. God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2:2:13) I. Prologue (1:1) II. God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2- 2:13) Indictment and Judgment Against the People (1:2- 2:11) I. II. Hope for the People (2:12-13) Micah Menu

15. Micah Prologue (1:1) (Dates approximate) The Word of the Lord came to Micah (of Judah) Micah 742-695 BC spoke to 3 Judah kings Jotham 742-735 BC (bad king) 1. Ahaz 735-715 BC (bad king) 722 BC Northern Kingdom fell 2. Hezekiah 715-697 BC (great king) 3.

16. God will Come to Judge the Earth (1:2-4) Micah preached only in Judah As far as we know from his writings God is speaking to entire world about Israel/Judah The Lord is witnessing against you from heavenly temple This is the authoritative word of the Lord God will speak dramatically thru nature

17. God Will Judge Israel and Judah (1:5-7) House of Jacob (Israel) has transgressed/sinned Sin of Samaria (Israel false worship) Sin of Judah (Jerusalem false worship) God predicts total destruction of Israel Samaria will be a heap of rubble Her idols and images will be broken to pieces Since gifts came from prostitution

18. Lament Because Disaster Coming to Jerusalem Announcement of a Lament (1:8-9) Because of destruction of Israel I will weep and wail For the transgressions of Israel were found in you Her wound has come to Judah! It has reached the gate in Jerusalem! Lament for Six Cities in Judah (1:10-12) Gath, Beth Ophrah, Shaphir, Zaanan, Beth Ezel, Maroth Lament on Five Cities in Judah (1:13-16) Lacish, Mofesbeth Gath, Aczib, Mareshah, Adullam

19. Lament Because Disaster Coming to Jerusalem The Powerful Covet and Steal Property (2:1-5) Woe to those that plan iniquity & evil They do this because they can They covet fields, homes, & inheritances They plot at night and steal in the morning This is reverse of how most thieves act Mosaic Covenant requires land to be kept within a family The 10thcommandment forbids coveting of property

20. The Powerful Covet and Steal Property (2:1-5) Therefore I am planning disaster against them It will be a time of calamity Men will ridicule you Micah is implying They will not participate in any future redistribution of land following Assyrian conquest The poor will someday regain their lands

21. The Powerful Reject Gods Word (2:6-11) The powerful people reject Micah prophecy They say, we are safe & reject prophets words God is not an angry God We are God s chosen people

22. The Powerful Reject Gods Word (2:6-11) Micah preaches that God destroys evil behavior God s blessings and goodness reserved only for good people But you strip away clothes, rob houses, take away children's blessings Go away you have defiled this land This people wants a prophet who predicts more beer and wine

23. The Powerful Reject Gods Word (2:6-11) Implications for today Today rich people getting richer Today coveting/greed is considered good Our enemies (Russia, North Korea) rising China poised to soon be #1 economic super-power Our rulers have abandoned God We like politicians preaching good economic news Most preachers avoid politics We too dislike prophets of disasters

24. God Will Gather a Remnant (2:12-13) God promises to save a remnant of Israel and Judah Great ending to prophecies of disaster Israel and Judah will be together in a protective pen Implies surrounded by enemies Perhaps Jerusalem surrounded by Assyria (701 BC) Jesus is the good shepherd who goes before them

25. Just Leadership Will Come to Zion (3:1-5:15) Sermons given at the time of Hezekiah by Micah Jeremiah 26:17-19 prior to 701 BC (Assyrian invasion) Indictment and Judgment against Leaders (3) I. II. Hope for Lord s Leadership and Restoration (4:1-8) III. Gods Messanic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9) IV. Future Purging (5:10-15) Micah Outline

26. Indictment and Judgment against Leaders The Removal of Jacob s Unjust Leaders (3:1-4) Listen, you rulers of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, Should you not know justice? You hate good and love evil You tear skin off my people, you break their bones They will cry out to The Lord, but he will not answer them They have done evil

27. The Removal of All Jacobs Leadership (3:9-12) Listen leaders of Jacob, rulers of Israel Who despise justice and distort all that is right Who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with wickedness Who judge for a bribe, preach for price, tell prophecies for money While using the Lord s name to declare no disaster Therefore Zion will be plowed like a field, temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets

28. Hope for Lords Leadership and Restoration God s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5) Commentator thoughts: Some think Micah encouraging Hezekiah to keep strong when beseeched Some think section added in exile Others note it describes coming of Jesus No specific mention of New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34) This section similar to Isaiah prophecies Say something bad, but then offer hope for future 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

29. Hope for Lords Leadership and Restoration God s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5) Myron s Thoughts Describes last days when God rules from Jerusalem Jesus came with New Covenant to all nations/peoples in these last days, has spoken to us in His Son, who He has appointed heir of all things (Heb 1:2) Roman rule provided pax romana (peace by force) Also points to a future 2nd coming Then there will be no more tears, no more wars New heaven and new earth, we have new eternal bodies 1. 2.

30. Jerusalem Will Be Afflicted and Delivered Transformation of weak into the Strong (4:6-8) Jesus will come to the poor, the weak, & the lame He will die as a sacrifice for their sins The new Kingdom of God will grow slowly but cover the entire earth Jesus will come again a 2ndtime We will rise up like eagles We will get new eternal resurrection bodies We will enjoy God forever 1. 2.

31. Gods Messianic Plan Foretold (Micah 4:9-5:9) You will go into exile in Babylon writhing like a woman in labor. There the Lord will redeem you (4:9-10) Now many nations rise against you but God has a plan the invaders do not know (4:11-12) Rise & thresh daughters of Zion, I will give you horn of iron and hooves of bronze. They ll strike Israel s ruler with rod (4:13-5:1) A Messiah will be born in Bethlehem who will rule over Israel (5:2-3) He will strongly shepherd His flock in security, and He will be their peace (5:4-5a) The Assyrians will invade you for a time, but you will be delivered by shepherds (5:5b-6) Zion s remnant will be disbursed throughout the world, like a lion among the beasts of the forest. Your hand will be lifted up (5:7-9)

32. Gods Messianic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9) 1. Zion/Jacob will be punished due to idol worship and disobedience 2. Zion will be disbursed throughout the known world 3. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem He is from old The Kingdom of God has arrived 4. The Kingdom of God spreads from the Synagogues throughout the Mediterranean world All peoples/races on earth are now blessed 5. Your hand (God/Messiah) will win in triumph (future)

33. Gods Messianic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9) Various Commentary Views Micah audience was Israelites, prophecy is about Israel, not the Messiah Israel will be reformed in the future very hopeful Micah, like Isaiah, was really describing how Messiah will come for all peoples Good correlation with New Testament interpretations Herod was told Messiah born in Bethlehem (wise men) Micah applies to both cases above, as prophecies can come true more than once 1st meaningful to Israelites, later meaningful to Christians Israelites should see current stress in light of future Messiah 1. 2. 3.

34. Jerusalem will be Afflicted and Delivered God s Removal of all False Hopes (5:10-15) Israel had to be purged of: Armed forces (5:10-11) Horses, chariots, cities, strongholds Worship of witchcraft, idols, and Asherah poles (5:12-14) Do not worship things made by human hands Those who do not obey God (5:15) Chosen people were to be a nation of priests Preparation for coming of the Messiah

35. Jerusalem will be Afflicted and Delivered God s Removal of all False Hopes (5:10-15) Some commentators think: Perhaps a sermon to Hezekiah about siege of Jerusalem 2 Chron 32:7-8; 2 Kings 18:1-4

36. Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, & Hope A lawsuit brought by God against Judah/Israel Perhaps early days of Manasseh reign (bad king) God uses words, makes covenants, writes scripture Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation (6:1-7:7) II. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20) I. Micah Outline

37. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8) A call of attention (1) The calling of witnesses (2a, 3) The announcement of a case (2b, 4) A defense of God s action (3-5) A defense by the accused (6-7) The basis of God s judgment (8) Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16) Additional accusations (9-12) God s Verdict of judgment (13-16)

38. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8) The initiation of God s lawsuit (6:1-2) God is judging his own chosen people Messiah preparation requires God judge all people equally He cannot play favorites A defense of God s action (6:3-5) God enumerates past unique help to Israelites

39. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8) A Defense of Israel s action (6:6-8) (Animal) Sacrifices not useful for sinful people God discusses sacrificing his own son for peoples sin He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)

40. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16) Additional accusations (6:9-12) Dishonest scales, false weights, violent rich men, liars, deceitful tongues God s Verdict of judgment (13-16) Therefore I have begun to destroy you There is no turning back you are doomed

41. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation Micah Laments Judah s Decadence (7:1-6) Micah disappointed at fruits of his labor Hezekiah reforms have now failed with later king The grapes are gone, the figs did not come Society is now totally corrupt Godly swept from land All peoples wait to shed blood, to hunt brothers Rulers demand gifts, judges accept bribes, powerful dictate what they want Do not trust neighbor, guard yourself against your lover

42. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20) Confession of Trust in God (7:7-10) I watch in hope for the Lord, my Savior My God will hear me, I will rise The Lord will be my light He will plead my case My eyes will see downfall of evil

43. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20) Oracle of Salvation for Judah (7:11-13) The Lord will rebuild Israel Walls will be rebuilt Boundaries will be extended People will come to you from Assyria & Egypt and from sea to sea and mountain to mountain The earth will become desolate because its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds Seems to point to a far future time (like 2018+)

44. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20) Oracle of Salvation (7:15-17) Nations will be in awe of God (in the future) They will see and be ashamed, powerless, and will not speak or hear They will lick dust like a snake They will come trembling out of their dens They will fear the Lord and be afraid of you

45. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20) Hymn of Praise to God (7:18-20) Who is like God to you? Who can pardon sin and forgive transgressions Who does not stay angry forever Who will again have compassion on us You will be true to Jacob and show mercy to Abraham as you pledged an oath to our fathers in days long ago

46. Bibliography Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Amos . Minor Prophets I. New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2002. Hill, Andrew E. and Walton, John H. A Survey of the Old Testament . Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2000. Johnston, Philip S. Amos . Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Grand Rapids, Zondervan 2009. Micah Outline