Old Testament Survey: The Book of Micah A Nation That Would Endure

Background Micah prophesied in Judah. Pointed out her sins and told of a coming judgment. Gave special emphasis to the spiritual kingdom which was to come under the Messiah. Came from a small village 22 miles from Jerusalem. The name Micah means “Who is Like the Lord.” Prophesied between 735 and 700 B.C.

Under king Uzziah, Judah enjoyed great prosperity. Wealth brought in great wickedness. The difference between Judah and Israel—Judah had some good kings. Jotham followed Uzziah; then came wicked Ahaz. Hezekiah was one of Judah’s most righteous king. Assyria had begun to invade Judah. In 722 B.C., Assyria took the Northern kingdom into captivity. Background

Micah’s closing section is like a courtroom scene. God was having a controversy with His people. Calls the mountains and hills to form a jury. The people had replaced heartfelt worship with empty rituals. Divorced God’s justice standards. They failed to understand what God required of them. God’s verdict? GUILTY AS CHARGED! Background

Keys to the Book of Micah Key words – Hear, judgment, and restoration Key phrase – “ This time is evil ” Key chapters: 6,7 Key verses: 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah foresees the repentance of the Jews after their captivity in Babylon. Also the coming of Christ’s kingdom. “He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old.” (7:19,20) Keys to the Book of Micah

Theme Micah prophesied to both Israel and Judah. Foretold their punishment. Shows that God hates evil but delights in pardoning the penitent. Primarily, to two capitals—Samaria and Jerusalem. All men need humility and repentance. Ultimate triumph of truth and right. God’s pleading, punishing, and pardoning.

Plea Foretold destruction—Assyrian (North); Babylonian (South) Pled for repentance leading to restoration Immediate desolation; future glory Coming of the Lord’s kingdom: – “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (4:1,2)

Main Divisions God summons the people to hear (chapter 1) Declares impending judgment (chapter 2) Summons the leaders to hear (chapter 3) Restoration of the remnant (chapter 4) Triumph of ruler from Bethlehem (chapter 5) Summons mountains to hear (chapter 6) God’s controversy with His people (chapter 7)

The Book’s Message Judah’s sins (chapters 1-3) Sins of princes and judges Spiritual sins of priests and false prophets – “Her heads judge for a bribe, her priests teach for pay, and her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, ‘Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.’” (3:11) Jerusalem will be plowed like a field – “Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the temple like the bare hills of the forest.” (3:12)

The Messianic hope (chapters 4,5) Looks beyond the destruction of the city and temple to the build ing of an enduring kingdom to come In the “Last (or Latter) Days” Would be greater than all other kingdoms Find peace and security in Him Not be an earthly kingdom, but spiritual – 4:1-7; 9-13 The Book’s Message

The Messianic hope (chapters 4,5) Before the spiritual kingdom came, Judah would be taken into Babylonian captivity. The spiritual kingdom’s Ruler would be born in Bethlehem (5:2). He would be eternal. This kingdom would not be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). This kingdom would endure (Colossians 1:13). Not defended or established by physical power. – 5:10,11 The Book’s Message

God’s indictment of His people (chapters 6,7) The Lord has a case against His people (6:1-5). God requires some things from mankind (6:8). They would sow, but they would not reap (6:14-16). The prophet acknowledges their condition (7:1-6). God is the only source of salvation and light (7:7-9). God’s gracious forgiveness (7:18-20) The Book’s Message

Passages Fulfilled in NT The law of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem. – Acts 2 The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. – Matthew 2:6; John 7:42 A man’s enemies shall be part of his own household. – Matthew 10:34-36; Luke 12:53 Christ’s righteous reign over all the earth. – Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:29-36

Lessons for Us Micah stresses God’s righteousness. –(7:18-20) Wickedness must be punished. –(2:1-3) We must walk “humbly” and do “justice.” –(6:8) Foretold long ago, the coming of Christ! –(5:2)