Micah - Overview of a Biblical Prophet

Micah

Micah

725-695 B.C.E.

725-695 B.C.E.

Bible Study

Myron Heavin

Background

Background

I.

Prologue (1:1)

Prologue (1:1)

II.

God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13)

God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13)

III.

Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15)

Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15)

IV.

Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope

Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope

(6:1-7:20)

(6:1-7:20)

Bibliography

Bibliography

Micah - Outline

I.

God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13)

I.

Indictment and Judgment Against the People (1:2-2:11)

II.

Hope for the People (2:12-13)

II.

Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15)

I.

Indictment and Judgment against Leaders (3)

II.

Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration (4:1-8)

III.

Current Crisis and Deliverance (4:9-5:9)

IV.

Future Purging (5:10-15)

III.

Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope (6:1-7:20)

I.

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation (6:1-7:7)

II.

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20

Micah – Outline Symetry

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

Micah - Organization

An Indictment of Injustice

An Indictment of Injustice

The throne of David to be filled by a deliverer born

The throne of David to be filled by a deliverer born

in Bethlehem

in Bethlehem

Right behavior, not manipulating rituals, as the

Right behavior, not manipulating rituals, as the

proper response to God’s anger

proper response to God’s anger

The coming deliverance from the Assyrian threat

The coming deliverance from the Assyrian threat

Micah – Key Ideas

Andrew Hill and John Walton

Purpose: 

Purpose: 

“

“

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the

Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare

Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare

to Jacob his transgressions, to Israel his sin

to Jacob his transgressions, to Israel his sin

” (3:8).

” (3:8).

Message: 

Message: 

That the people, particularly upper class, were

That the people, particularly upper class, were

guilty of injustice – leading to their destruction and exile

guilty of injustice – leading to their destruction and exile

Destruction of cult places

Destruction of cult places

Political devastation

Political devastation

Personal judgment against specific offenders

Personal judgment against specific offenders

Spiritual judgment, depriving prophets of revelation

Spiritual judgment, depriving prophets of revelation

Socioeconomic judgment, affecting fertility of the land

Socioeconomic judgment, affecting fertility of the land

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

Micah - Background

Micah - @ 742-695 BC

Micah - @ 742-695 BC

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)

Micah - Theology

Worship Centers

Dan

Bethel

Mixed Baal/God worship

Each had golden calf

Capital City Samaria

Baal Worship Temple

Northern Kingdom

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

Timeline of Minor Prophets

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

Death and Life (1:1-11)

Death and Life (1:1-11)

A Reluctant Prophet and Yahweh (1:1-3)

A Reluctant Prophet and Yahweh (1:1-3)

I.

Prologue (1:1)

Prologue (1:1)

II.

God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-

God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-

2:13)

2:13)

I.

Indictment and Judgment Against the People (1:2-

Indictment and Judgment Against the People (1:2-

2:11)

2:11)

II.

Hope for the People (2:12-13)

Hope for the People (2:12-13)

Micah Menu

Micah Menu

God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice

(1:2:2:13)

The Word of the Lord came to Micah (of Judah)

The Word of the Lord came to Micah (of Judah)

   Micah        

   Micah        

742-695 BC

742-695 BC

       spoke to 3 Judah kings

       spoke to 3 Judah kings

1.

Jotham       742-735 BC         (bad king)

Jotham       742-735 BC         (bad king)

2.

 Ahaz           735-715 BC         (bad king)

 Ahaz           735-715 BC         (bad king)



                722        BC         Northern Kingdom fell

                722        BC         Northern Kingdom fell

3.

Hezekiah    715-697 BC          (great king)

Hezekiah    715-697 BC          (great king)

Micah Prologue (1:1)

(Dates approximate)

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

God will Come to Judge the Earth (1:2-4)

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

God Will Judge Israel and Judah (1:5-7)

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

Lament Because Disaster Coming to Jerusalem

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 10

th

 commandment forbids coveting of property

Lament Because Disaster Coming to Jerusalem

Lament Because Disaster Coming to Jerusalem

The Powerful Covet and Steal Property (2:1-5)

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

The Powerful Covet and Steal Property 

The Powerful Covet and Steal Property 

(2:1-5)

(2:1-5)

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

The Powerful Reject God’s Word 

The Powerful Reject God’s Word 

(2:6-11)

(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

The Powerful Reject God’s Word 

The Powerful Reject God’s Word 

(2:6-11)

(2:6-11)

Implications for today

Implications for today

Today rich people getting richer

Today rich people getting richer

Today coveting/greed is considered good

Today coveting/greed is considered good

Our enemies (Russia, North Korea) rising

Our enemies (Russia, North Korea) rising

China poised to soon be #1 economic super-power

China poised to soon be #1 economic super-power

Our rulers have abandoned God

Our rulers have abandoned God

We like politicians preaching good economic news

We like politicians preaching good economic news



Most preachers avoid politics

Most preachers avoid politics

We too dislike prophets of disasters

We too dislike prophets of disasters

The Powerful Reject God’s Word 

The Powerful Reject God’s Word 

(2:6-11)

(2:6-11)

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

God Will Gather a Remnant 

God Will Gather a Remnant 

(2:12-13)

(2:12-13)

Sermons given at the time of Hezekiah by Micah

Sermons given at the time of Hezekiah by Micah

Jeremiah 26:17-19 prior to 701 BC (Assyrian invasion)

Jeremiah 26:17-19 prior to 701 BC (Assyrian invasion)

I.

Indictment and Judgment against Leaders (3)

Indictment and Judgment against Leaders (3)

II.

Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration (4:1-8)

Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration (4:1-8)

III.

Gods Messanic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9)

Gods Messanic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9)

IV.

Future Purging (5:10-15)

Future Purging (5:10-15)

Micah Outline

Micah Outline

Just Leadership Will Come to Zion 

(3:1-5:15)

Listen, you rulers of Jacob, you rulers of Israel,

Listen, you rulers of Jacob, you rulers of Israel,

Should you not know justice?

Should you not know justice?

You hate good and love evil

You hate good and love evil

 You tear skin off my people, you break their bones

 You tear skin off my people, you break their bones

They will cry out to The Lord,

They will cry out to The Lord,

but he will not answer them

but he will not answer them

They have done evil

They have done evil

Indictment and Judgment against Leaders

Indictment and Judgment against Leaders

The Removal of Jacob’s Unjust Leaders (3:1-4)

The Removal of Jacob’s Unjust Leaders (3:1-4)

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

The Removal of All Jacob’s Leadership 

The Removal of All Jacob’s Leadership 

(3:9-12)

(3:9-12)

Commentator thoughts:

1.

Some think Micah encouraging Hezekiah to keep

strong when beseeched

2.

Some think section added in exile

3.

Others note it describes coming of Jesus

4.

No specific mention of New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34)

5.

This section similar to Isaiah prophecies

6.

Say something bad, but then offer hope for future

Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration

Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration

God’s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5)

God’s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5)

Describes last days when God rules from Jerusalem

1.

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)

2.

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

Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration

Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration

God’s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5)

God’s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5)

Myron’s Thoughts

Myron’s Thoughts

1.

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

2.

Jesus will come again a 2

nd

 time

We will rise up like eagles

We will get new eternal resurrection bodies

We will enjoy God forever

Jerusalem Will Be Afflicted and Delivered

Jerusalem Will Be Afflicted and Delivered

Transformation of weak into the Strong (4:6-8)

Transformation of weak into the Strong (4:6-8)

You will go into exile in Babylon writhing like a woman in labor. There the

You will go into exile in Babylon writhing like a woman in labor. There the

Lord will redeem you (4:9-10)

Lord will redeem you (4:9-10)

Now many nations rise against you but God has a plan the invaders do

Now many nations rise against you but God has a plan the invaders do

not know (4:11-12)

not know (4:11-12)

Rise & thresh daughters of Zion, I will give you horn of iron and

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)

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

A Messiah will be born in Bethlehem who will rule over Israel

(5:2-3)

(5:2-3)

He will strongly shepherd His flock in security, and He will be their

He will strongly shepherd His flock in security, and He will be their

peace (5:4-5a)

peace (5:4-5a)

The Assyrians will invade you for a time, but you will be delivered by

The Assyrians will invade you for a time, but you will be delivered by

shepherds (5:5b-6)

shepherds (5:5b-6)

Zion’s remnant will be disbursed throughout the world, like a lion among

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)

the beasts of the forest.  Your hand will be lifted up (5:7-9)

God’s Messianic Plan Foretold 

God’s Messianic Plan Foretold 

(Micah 4:9-5:9)

(Micah 4:9-5:9)

1.

Zion/Jacob will be punished due to idol worship and

Zion/Jacob will be punished due to idol worship and

disobedience

disobedience

2.

Zion will be disbursed throughout the known world

Zion will be disbursed throughout the known world

3.

The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem

The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem



He is from old

He is from old



The Kingdom of God has arrived

The Kingdom of God has arrived

4.

The Kingdom of God spreads from the Synagogues

The Kingdom of God spreads from the Synagogues

throughout the Mediterranean world

throughout the Mediterranean world



All peoples/races on earth are now blessed

All peoples/races on earth are now blessed

5.

Your hand (God/Messiah) will win in triumph (future)

Your hand (God/Messiah) will win in triumph (future)

God’s Messianic Plan Foretold 

God’s Messianic Plan Foretold 

(4:9-5:9)

(4:9-5:9)

1.

Micah audience was Israelites, prophecy is about Israel,

Micah audience was Israelites, prophecy is about Israel,

not the Messiah

not the Messiah



Israel will be reformed in the future – very hopeful

Israel will be reformed in the future – very hopeful

2.

Micah, like Isaiah, was really describing how Messiah will

Micah, like Isaiah, was really describing how Messiah will

come for all peoples

come for all peoples



Good correlation with New Testament interpretations

Good correlation with New Testament interpretations



Herod was told Messiah born in Bethlehem (wise men)

Herod was told Messiah born in Bethlehem (wise men)

3.

Micah applies to both cases above, as prophecies can come

Micah applies to both cases above, as prophecies can come

true more than once

true more than once



1st meaningful to Israelites, later meaningful to Christians

1st meaningful to Israelites, later meaningful to Christians

Israelites should see current stress in light of future Messiah

Israelites should see current stress in light of future Messiah

God’s Messianic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9)

God’s Messianic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9)

Various Commentary Views

Various Commentary Views

Israel had to be purged of:

Israel had to be purged of:

Armed forces (5:10-11)

Armed forces (5:10-11)



Horses, chariots, cities, strongholds

Horses, chariots, cities, strongholds

Worship of witchcraft, idols, and Asherah poles (5:12-14)

Worship of witchcraft, idols, and Asherah poles (5:12-14)



Do not worship things made by human hands

Do not worship things made by human hands

Those who do not obey God (5:15)

Those who do not obey God (5:15)

Chosen people were to be a nation of priests

Chosen people were to be a nation of priests

Preparation for coming of the Messiah

Preparation for coming of the Messiah

Jerusalem will be Afflicted and Delivered

Jerusalem will be Afflicted and Delivered

God’s Removal of all False Hopes (5:10-15)

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

Jerusalem will be Afflicted and Delivered

Jerusalem will be Afflicted and Delivered

God’s Removal of all False Hopes (5:10-15)

God’s Removal of all False Hopes (5:10-15)

A lawsuit brought by God against Judah/Israel

A lawsuit brought by God against Judah/Israel

Perhaps early days of Manasseh reign (bad king)

Perhaps early days of Manasseh reign (bad king)

God uses words, makes covenants, writes scripture

God uses words, makes covenants, writes scripture

I.

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation (6:1-7:7)

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation (6:1-7:7)

II.

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Micah Outline

Micah Outline

Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, & Hope

God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8)

God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8)

A call of attention (1)

A call of attention (1)

The calling of witnesses (2a, 3)

The calling of witnesses (2a, 3)

The announcement of a case (2b, 4)

The announcement of a case (2b, 4)

A defense of God’s action (3-5)

A defense of God’s action (3-5)

A defense by the accused (6-7)

A defense by the accused (6-7)

The basis of God’s judgment (8)

The basis of God’s judgment (8)

Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16)

Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16)

Additional accusations (9-12)

Additional accusations (9-12)

God’s Verdict of judgment (13-16)

God’s Verdict of judgment (13-16)

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

ion

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

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

ion

ion

God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8)

God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8)

A Defense of Israel’s action (6:6-8)

A Defense of Israel’s action (6:6-8)

(Animal) Sacrifices not useful for sinful people

(Animal) Sacrifices not useful for sinful people

God discusses sacrificing his own son for peoples sin

God discusses sacrificing his own son for peoples sin

“

“

He has shown you, O man, what is good.

He has shown you, O man, what is good.

What does the Lord require of you?

What does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God

and to walk humbly with your God

” (Micah 6:8)

” (Micah 6:8)

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

ion

ion

God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8)

God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8)

Additional accusations (6:9-12)

Additional accusations (6:9-12)

Dishonest scales, false weights, violent rich men,

Dishonest scales, false weights, violent rich men,

liars, deceitful tongues

liars, deceitful tongues

God’s Verdict of judgment (13-16)

God’s Verdict of judgment (13-16)

Therefore I have begun to destroy you

Therefore I have begun to destroy you

There is no turning back –you are doomed

There is no turning back –you are doomed

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

ion

ion

Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16)

Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16)

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

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

Indictment and Judgment Against the Nat

ion

ion

Micah Laments Judah’s Decadence (7:1-6)

Micah Laments Judah’s Decadence (7:1-6)

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

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Confession of Trust in God (7:7-10)

Confession of Trust in God (7:7-10)

The Lord will rebuild Israel

The Lord will rebuild Israel

Walls will be rebuilt

Walls will be rebuilt

Boundaries will be extended

Boundaries will be extended

People will come to you from Assyria & Egypt

People will come to you from Assyria & Egypt

and from sea to sea and mountain to mountain

and from sea to sea and mountain to mountain

The earth will become desolate because its inhabitants, as

The earth will become desolate because its inhabitants, as

the result of their deeds

the result of their deeds

Seems to point to a far future time (like 2018+)

Seems to point to a far future time (like 2018+)

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Oracle of Salvation for Judah (7:11-13)

Oracle of Salvation for Judah (7:11-13)

Nations will be in awe of God (

Nations will be in awe of God (

in the future

in the future

)

)

They will see and be ashamed, powerless, and will

They will see and be ashamed, powerless, and will

not speak or hear

not speak or hear

They will lick dust like a snake

They will lick dust like a snake

They will come trembling out of their dens

They will come trembling out of their dens

They will fear the Lord and be afraid of you

They will fear the Lord and be afraid of you

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Oracle of Salvation (7:15-17)

Oracle of Salvation (7:15-17)

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

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)

Hymn of Praise to God (7:18-20)

Hymn of Praise to God (7:18-20)

Achtemeier, Elizabeth. “

Achtemeier, Elizabeth. “

Amos”. Minor Prophets I. New

Amos”. Minor Prophets I. New

International Biblical Commentary

International Biblical Commentary

. Peabody Mass.: Hendrickson

. Peabody Mass.: Hendrickson

Publishers, 2002.

Publishers, 2002.

Hill, Andrew E. and Walton, John H. “

Hill, Andrew E. and Walton, John H. “

A Survey of the Old

A Survey of the Old

Testament

Testament

”. Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2000.

”. Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2000.

Johnston, Philip S. “

Johnston, Philip S. “

Amos

Amos

”.  

”.  

Zondervan Illustrated Bible

Zondervan Illustrated Bible

Backgrounds Commentary

Backgrounds Commentary

: Grand Rapids, Zondervan 2009.

: Grand Rapids, Zondervan 2009.

Micah Outline

Micah Outline

Bibliography