Micah

This is one of those books that you may want to switch to The Message on.  I didn’t but kind of wish I had.  There are 4 sections to this book

• A message to the people concerning the sin in Israel
• A message to the rulers concerning the Coming of Christ
• A message to the Chosen People about God’s argument
• Essentials of real religion

Again we are in the same time period as Isaiah, actually it is assumed that Micah and Isaiah knew each other.  Micah is speaking to Samaria (Israel)  and Jerusalem.  Two main sins are addressed here: the perversion of worship and injustice towards others, mainly the poor.  So Micah is bringing them a guilty verdict, captivity and exile is in their future.  This prophecy once again holds to the signs of the times, God will oppress us for social injustice, unfaithfulness, dishonesty, and idolatry,

Then you have the message to the rulers in 3-5.  Micah was called the prophet of Hope.   He always looked beyond the punishment to the Glory of God.  If you already did the reading and glazed over 4 and 5 you have got to go back!  It says in the last days….is this the last days before the captivity? I think Micah is speaking of the 2nd coming of the Lord.  Then in Chapter 5 A Direct Prophecy of the Messiah’s birthplace!  This is a 700 year old Prophecy!

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
       though you are small among the clans  of Judah,
       out of you will come for me
       one who will be ruler over Israel,
       whose origins  are from of old,
       from ancient times….  He will stand and shepherd his flock
       in the strength of the LORD,
       in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
       And they will live securely, for then his greatness
       will reach to the ends of the earth.

Chapter 6 ans 7.    After God’s case against Israel what do they say “can we bring offerings”.  They still don’t get it!  You can’t get into God’s Graces with deeds.  Many people try, including myself but   He answers them with what it takes, He says in 6:8 To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  Something to meditate on.

SO the book ends with what is True Religion? Matthew describes it best and it matches what the Lord just said:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Micah Overview

Micah means “Who is like the Lord??”

Micah prophesies in Judah during the reigns of Jotham (Good) , Ahaz (really bad)  and Hezekiah (good).  Micah’s Message was to both Israel and Judah and addressed their respective capitals, Samaria and Jerusalem.  Micah’s message had 3  keys to it: Sin, Destruction, and Restoration.

Micah preached in the walls of Jerusalem.  Micah’s political platform was the unfair treatment of the poor from the rich.  Micah wanted the people to know that every cruel act to our fellow people was an insult directly to the Lord.  Micah does live to see Israel’s captivity because they did not heed to the words and warning of the prophets. 

This book is separated into 3 obvious parts, chapters 1, 3 and 6 and each section closes with a promise. 

1. The exposure of sins in the land
2. The punishment God is about to send
3. Restoration of the people after the discipline ended

Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom, Israel.  For the past 200 years,  they have adopted idolatrous practices, calf and Baal worship and all the practices of their ungodly neighbors.  In year 734 the Northern Kingdom will be deported and in 722 Samaria will become a “heap of rubble”. 

The sins of this time were no different than the sins of today, idolatry, coveting, oppression of the poor, violence, false prophets, corruption on government and royalty, corruption in priests and churches, and dishonesty of the people.

Homework: Compare Micah 6:8 to Matthew 23:23