MICAH

Micah was from the Judean country town of Moresheth, near the Philistine border. He was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and talked with kings, but Micah was a country prophet. He saw how idolatry had poisoned Israel and Judah. He also saw the gap between the rich and the poor, and he spoke out against social evils and injustice. He looked forward to the coming of the Christ (5:2;2:12-13; 4:1,7). He lived during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (kings of Judah).

Three major events occurred during Micah's lifetime: i) The Assyrian army invaded Syria, Philistia and parts of Israel and Judah (734-732); ii) in 722 Samaria fell; iii) in 701, Judah joined a revolt against Assyria and Jerusalem was almost destroyed. God saved her by sending a plague among the Assyrian soldiers. The key verse of Micah is 6:8.

Outline of contents

1:1-16 -- God will punish idolatry

2:1-3:12 -- God's judgment on the corrupt

wealthy class

4:1-5:15 -- God's great hope for his people

6:1-16 -- God calls Israel to repentance

7:1-20 -- A promise and a faithful remnant

1. God's judgment falls on two capitals (1-7)

God is the sovereign ruler of all the earth. He reveals himself through his dealings with his own people. He is angry because of the idolatry of Israel and Judah, and he comes down from his dwelling place to tread the earth. His coming is fearsome, because he comes to judge. Samaria was the capital of Northern Israel; the poison of idolatry and immorality flowed from there. Jerusalem, capital of Judah, had become like a pagan altar. The Assyrian Empire was God's instrument of judgment.

2. Weeping and mourning (8-16)

The Assyrian army would destroy Samaria and come to the very gates of Jerusalem. This disaster is from the Lord. Micah wept and wailed and went about naked, showing vividly the sorrow and shame of defeat and slavery. Lachish was in Judah, near Micah's home town. This city had followed the corrupt ways of Northern Israel and had influenced all Judah. The cities of Judah would be overrun by the Assyrian army.

Application: Lord, cleanse all idols from my heart. Have mercy on your repentant people.
One Word: God hates idol worship