Introduction –
Why should we study the prophets? And
particularly, why turn and study one of the minor prophets? Even Martin Luther said at one point, “They
have a queer way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding in an
orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the next, so that you cannot make
head or tail of them or see what they are getting at”. Of course, Jesus and the apostles didn’t
think so. Their quotations of the
prophets throughout the New Testament are very numerous. What does God expect, therefore, with regard
to your knowledge of history, cultures, languages, literature, and the Word of
God?
The Old
Testament is for the People of God – This is important
to keep in mind. We are God’s people,
His church. This is not a book for
practicing, so-called orthodox Jews.
That is the religion of Judaism and is contrary to scripture, the old
and the new. Romans 11 teaches us that
we have been grafted into the people of God.
It also teaches us what has happened to those who were in the covenant
but refused to believe in the Messiah – the Messiah promised in Micah.
All Scripture
– is inspired by God and is profitable.
You either believe that and seek understanding, or you don’t, and go do
something else. We are conscientiously
seeking to bring the whole counsel of God from His Word to bear on all of our
life corporately, and our lives individually.
General Historical Context –
Time Frame
- Micah is a contemporary of Isaiah, who began his ministry slightly
earlier, during the reign of Uzziah, the father of Jotham. Micah prophesies during the reigns of
Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (750 BC – 686 BC).
Assyria is the world power, destroying the northern kingdom in 722 BC
and remains a constant threat to Judah.
And in verse 1, we must note that Micah is addressing both
kingdoms; the ‘liberal’ north as well as the ‘conservative’ south.
‘of Moresheth’
– Micah is not from Jerusalem, but from the foothills
southwest in Judah. Isaiah seems often
more focused on the international events while Micah is more concerned about
what is going on at home. Micah is sure
of his prophetic calling (3:6-8).
Reading the
Prophets – Luther is right, but only at first
glance. The prophetic books cannot be
read like the narratives (Jonah is an exception) because the chronological
order is often missing, and often isn’t the point. They cannot be read as epistles strictly, because that kind of
flow of argument isn’t there. But there
is a literary flow and structure in each of the books of prophecy.
Bookends
– Micah (v1) means “who is like Yahweh?”.
Notice how the book ends in 7:18.
Cycles of Gloom and Glory
– A key imperative marks each of the three sections of Micah – “hear” – in 1:2,
3:1, and 6:1. Each cycle proclaims the
guilt of Israel’s sin and is followed with pronouncements of wrath and
destruction Each cycle then concludes
with a contrasting message of God’s
mercy and the hope of forgiveness and restoration. Like movements of a symphony, each cycle is separate and yet
related to one another as a whole.
Preparing for Micah – Of course, you
should read and reread the book and each cycle. Refresh your studies on the times of Micah (2 Kings 15:32 –
20:21, 2 Chron 27-32) and read his contemporary Isaiah as well. Watch for these major themes throughout the
book.
The Abuse of
Power – How does the proverb go – ‘power corrupts
and absolute power corrupts absolutely’.
Power in the hands of fallen men who serve their idols always breeds
tyranny. Idolatry has bred covetousness
in Judah (2:1-2), and the offices of prophet, priest, and king have all been
defiled (3:11).
Reaping What
You Sow – They have trusted in idols that will be
destroyed (1:7). They have acted as if
God were their enemy and become His enemies (2:8). They treat the sacrifices with contempt and act as if God were a
vending machine, needing just one more quarter to work (6:6-7).
The Fragility
of Nations – Samaria and particularly Jerusalem, think
they are impenetrable. But their days
are numbered. But even the nations that
bring Israel down will perish in judgment as the enemies of God (7:16-17).
The Mercy of
God – Each cycle ends with promises of restoration,
shepherding, and the mercy of God, because God delights in mercy (7:18).
The Promise of
God – God uses little towns, youngest sons, and
slingshots to show forth His glory (Mic 5:2).
And Micah promises He will do so again (vv2-4). Remember what David said to Goliath (1 Sam
17:45-47), and what God promised David (2 Sam 7:12-16). All of this is promised in spite of
ourselves – “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame
the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the
things which are mighty” – (1 Cor 1:27).
Why does God do it this way? – “Where is boasting then? It is excluded….” – (Rom 3:27). Micah reminds the people of these promises
at a time when Israel is sinking into oblivion. It does not matter how many centuries have passed; the Word of
the Lord endures forever (Is 40:6-8).
And God continues to promise His people the great work of their Messiah
not only to a small remnant, or only to the land of Canaan, but also to the
ends of the world (5:4, Rom 15:8-9).