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Micah: God’s People in Court
Study Notes Ed Underwood
Micah: God’s People in Court He has told you, O man, what is good and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God. (Micah 6:8)The seventeen Books of Prophecy record the messages of the writing prophets (those whose messages are preserved in writing) God raised up to speak for him following the ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. The failings of the Divided Kingdom Era prompted God to speak to Israel in the north and Judah in the south. They continued to speak to God’s people for over 400 years, including the exile to Babylonia and the return to the Promise Land. (1 Kings 12-Esther)
The prophets spoke for God to His people concerning the enforcement of terms of their covenant relationship with God. Each spoke to a specific generation of Israel or Judah to enforce the conditional covenant (Mosaic) in the context of the unconditional covenants flowing from the Abrahamic Covenant. Their message can be summed up in these sentences: You are mine! (Unconditional covenants, Romans 11:29). Walk with me and I will bless you. Walk away from me and I will call you back to myself through loving discipline (Conditional covenant, Romans 9-11).
Micah prophesied in the days of Jotham (739-731 BC), Ahaz (731-715 BC), and Hezekiah (715-686 BC), kings of Judah. Although Micah dealt primarily with Judah, he also addressed the northern kingdom of Israel and predicted the fall of Samaria (1:6). Much of his ministry, therefore, took place before the Assyrian captivity of Israel in 722 BC. His strong denunciation of idolatry and immorality also suggest that his ministry largely preceded the revival and sweeping reforms of Hezekiah. During Micah’s time, the kingdom of Israel continued to crumble inwardly and outwardly until its collapse. The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-pileser III, Shalmeneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib reached the zenith of its power and became a constant threat to Judah. A contemporary of Hosea in the northern kingdom and of Isaiah in the court of Jerusalem, Micah was not as aware of the political situation as Isaiah, but he showed a profound concern for the sufferings of the people. His prediction of future Babylonian captivity for Judah (4:10) must have seemed ridiculous to his countrymen since Babylon was still under strong Assyrian domination and Hezekiah’s future successful campaign against the Assyrians seemed impossible.
Micah’s message alternates between threat and hope—threat of judgment due to disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant, and hope of restoration due to God’s promises to His people. Like Amos, Micah exposed the people’s failures in social justice. Unlike Amos, Micah encouraged the believing remnant with exciting insights into the career and kingdom of its coming King.
“Micah’s doctrine of the remnant is unique among the Prophets and is perhaps his most significant contribution to the prophetic theology of hope. The remnant is a force in the world, not simply a residue of people, as the word ‘remnant’ (she’erit) may seem to imply. It is a force that will ultimately conquer the world (4:11-13). This triumph, while presented in apparently militaristic terminology (4:13; 5:5-6), is actually accomplished by other than physical force [cf. Matt.5:3-12]. By removing everything that robs his people of complete trust in him (5:10-15), the Ruler from Bethlehem will effect the deliverance of his people. The source of power for God’s people in the world is their absolute trust in him and his resources.” (T.E. McComiskey, “Micah,” in Daniel-Minor Prophets, vol. 7 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p 399.)
The Book of Micah divides between three oracles, each beginning with the command to “listen.” Each message of judgment is important, but there is also mention of restoration of a remnant. Ultimately God would restore the descendants of Jacob to a position of world leadership under their Messiah.
I. LISTEN, ALL YOU NATIONS! Judgment is coming on Israel and Judah, but the nation will ultimately be restored. (chapters 1-2)
Micah: The Ruler from Bethlehem will establish justice in this world.
Until then, promote justice; be faithful, and live obediently before your God!
Beginning with a general declaration of the condemnation of both Israel and Judah, Micah declares both kingdoms will be overthrown because of their rampant treachery. He uses a series of wordplays on the names of several cities of Judah in his lamentation over Judah’s coming destruction (1:10-16). This is followed by some specific causes for judgment: premeditated schemes, covetousness, and cruelty. Nevertheless, God will regather a remnant of his people (2:12-13).
II. LISTEN, YOU LEADERS OF JACOB, AND YOU RULERS OF THE NATION ISRAEL!
Blessing will follow judgment. (chapters -5)
In the previous oracle Micah emphasized judgment and devoted only two verses to blessing (2:12-13). In this oracle 1/3 contains judgment (chapter 3), while 2/3 emphasize blessing (chapters 4-5). Micah systematically condemns the princes (3:1-4) and the prophets (3:5-8) and concludes with a warning of coming judgment (3:9-12). Then Micah moves into a two-chapter message of hope, which describes the reinstitution of the kingdom (4:1-5) and the intervening captivity of the kingdom (4:6-5:1), concluding with the coming Ruler of the Kingdom (5:2-15). The prophetic focus gradually narrows from the nations to the remnant to the King.
III. LISTEN, TO WHAT THE LORD SAYS! The third oracle summarizes what the prophet has already said and adds an appeal to God on behalf of his countrymen. (chapters 6-7)
In his two controversies with His people, God calls them into court and presents an unanswerable case against them. The people have spurned God’s grace, choosing instead to revel in wickedness. Micah concluded with an amazing series of appeals to the character of the Lord and His promises to pardon Israel’s iniquity and renew the nation in accordance with His covenant.
MICAH AND YOU: Micah’s writings provide some of the clearest day-to-day guidance for God’s people of every generation. That guidance is summed up in the theme verse of the book, Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.
1. Promote justice! Live and encourage the principles of what will be true in the world to come—the Kingdom of God—in the here and now world. (2:1, 8-9; 3:11; 6:11) Two questions: (1) Do you factor in God’s love for the poor in your politics? (2) Are you involved in a ministry to the poor and oppressed in your community?
2. Be faithful! Love God and others loyally by delivering on your capacity and commitments to meet their needs in the power of Christ. The prophecy of Micah gives us hope, in spite of the injustices and wickedness of this world. Our unshakeable confidence in Jesus Christ, the Ruler from Bethlehem, gives us courage to extend mercy to those in our world, to love them loyally. We live for the world to come, when He will reign and this world will be perfectly just! (2:13; 4:1-7; 5:1-9)
3. Live obediently before your God! Walk humbly and without arrogance in fellowship with God pursuing His priorities and will for your life instead of your own. God’s grace gives us power. Our absolute trust in Him and His resources is the source of our power (5:10-15). His unconditional love for His people is the source of our confidence (7:18-20).
Messiah: Micah 5:2 is one of the clearest and most important Old Testament prophecies: “But you,
Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth
to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” This
prophecy about the birth and eternality of the Messiah was made seven hundred years before His birth. The
chief priests and scribes paraphrased this verse in Matthew 2:5-6 when questioned about the birthplace of
Messiah.
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Study Notes Ed Underwood
Micah: God’s People in Court He has told you, O man, what is good and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God. (Micah 6:8)The seventeen Books of Prophecy record the messages of the writing prophets (those whose messages are preserved in writing) God raised up to speak for him following the ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. The failings of the Divided Kingdom Era prompted God to speak to Israel in the north and Judah in the south. They continued to speak to God’s people for over 400 years, including the exile to Babylonia and the return to the Promise Land. (1 Kings 12-Esther)
The prophets spoke for God to His people concerning the enforcement of terms of their covenant relationship with God. Each spoke to a specific generation of Israel or Judah to enforce the conditional covenant (Mosaic) in the context of the unconditional covenants flowing from the Abrahamic Covenant. Their message can be summed up in these sentences: You are mine! (Unconditional covenants, Romans 11:29). Walk with me and I will bless you. Walk away from me and I will call you back to myself through loving discipline (Conditional covenant, Romans 9-11).
Micah prophesied in the days of Jotham (739-731 BC), Ahaz (731-715 BC), and Hezekiah (715-686 BC), kings of Judah. Although Micah dealt primarily with Judah, he also addressed the northern kingdom of Israel and predicted the fall of Samaria (1:6). Much of his ministry, therefore, took place before the Assyrian captivity of Israel in 722 BC. His strong denunciation of idolatry and immorality also suggest that his ministry largely preceded the revival and sweeping reforms of Hezekiah. During Micah’s time, the kingdom of Israel continued to crumble inwardly and outwardly until its collapse. The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-pileser III, Shalmeneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib reached the zenith of its power and became a constant threat to Judah. A contemporary of Hosea in the northern kingdom and of Isaiah in the court of Jerusalem, Micah was not as aware of the political situation as Isaiah, but he showed a profound concern for the sufferings of the people. His prediction of future Babylonian captivity for Judah (4:10) must have seemed ridiculous to his countrymen since Babylon was still under strong Assyrian domination and Hezekiah’s future successful campaign against the Assyrians seemed impossible.
Micah’s message alternates between threat and hope—threat of judgment due to disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant, and hope of restoration due to God’s promises to His people. Like Amos, Micah exposed the people’s failures in social justice. Unlike Amos, Micah encouraged the believing remnant with exciting insights into the career and kingdom of its coming King.
“Micah’s doctrine of the remnant is unique among the Prophets and is perhaps his most significant contribution to the prophetic theology of hope. The remnant is a force in the world, not simply a residue of people, as the word ‘remnant’ (she’erit) may seem to imply. It is a force that will ultimately conquer the world (4:11-13). This triumph, while presented in apparently militaristic terminology (4:13; 5:5-6), is actually accomplished by other than physical force [cf. Matt.5:3-12]. By removing everything that robs his people of complete trust in him (5:10-15), the Ruler from Bethlehem will effect the deliverance of his people. The source of power for God’s people in the world is their absolute trust in him and his resources.” (T.E. McComiskey, “Micah,” in Daniel-Minor Prophets, vol. 7 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p 399.)
The Book of Micah divides between three oracles, each beginning with the command to “listen.” Each message of judgment is important, but there is also mention of restoration of a remnant. Ultimately God would restore the descendants of Jacob to a position of world leadership under their Messiah.
I. LISTEN, ALL YOU NATIONS! Judgment is coming on Israel and Judah, but the nation will ultimately be restored. (chapters 1-2)
Micah: The Ruler from Bethlehem will establish justice in this world.
Until then, promote justice; be faithful, and live obediently before your God!
Beginning with a general declaration of the condemnation of both Israel and Judah, Micah declares both kingdoms will be overthrown because of their rampant treachery. He uses a series of wordplays on the names of several cities of Judah in his lamentation over Judah’s coming destruction (1:10-16). This is followed by some specific causes for judgment: premeditated schemes, covetousness, and cruelty. Nevertheless, God will regather a remnant of his people (2:12-13).
II. LISTEN, YOU LEADERS OF JACOB, AND YOU RULERS OF THE NATION ISRAEL!
Blessing will follow judgment. (chapters -5)
In the previous oracle Micah emphasized judgment and devoted only two verses to blessing (2:12-13). In this oracle 1/3 contains judgment (chapter 3), while 2/3 emphasize blessing (chapters 4-5). Micah systematically condemns the princes (3:1-4) and the prophets (3:5-8) and concludes with a warning of coming judgment (3:9-12). Then Micah moves into a two-chapter message of hope, which describes the reinstitution of the kingdom (4:1-5) and the intervening captivity of the kingdom (4:6-5:1), concluding with the coming Ruler of the Kingdom (5:2-15). The prophetic focus gradually narrows from the nations to the remnant to the King.
III. LISTEN, TO WHAT THE LORD SAYS! The third oracle summarizes what the prophet has already said and adds an appeal to God on behalf of his countrymen. (chapters 6-7)
In his two controversies with His people, God calls them into court and presents an unanswerable case against them. The people have spurned God’s grace, choosing instead to revel in wickedness. Micah concluded with an amazing series of appeals to the character of the Lord and His promises to pardon Israel’s iniquity and renew the nation in accordance with His covenant.
MICAH AND YOU: Micah’s writings provide some of the clearest day-to-day guidance for God’s people of every generation. That guidance is summed up in the theme verse of the book, Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.
1. Promote justice! Live and encourage the principles of what will be true in the world to come—the Kingdom of God—in the here and now world. (2:1, 8-9; 3:11; 6:11) Two questions: (1) Do you factor in God’s love for the poor in your politics? (2) Are you involved in a ministry to the poor and oppressed in your community?
2. Be faithful! Love God and others loyally by delivering on your capacity and commitments to meet their needs in the power of Christ. The prophecy of Micah gives us hope, in spite of the injustices and wickedness of this world. Our unshakeable confidence in Jesus Christ, the Ruler from Bethlehem, gives us courage to extend mercy to those in our world, to love them loyally. We live for the world to come, when He will reign and this world will be perfectly just! (2:13; 4:1-7; 5:1-9)
3. Live obediently before your God! Walk humbly and without arrogance in fellowship with God pursuing His priorities and will for your life instead of your own. God’s grace gives us power. Our absolute trust in Him and His resources is the source of our power (5:10-15). His unconditional love for His people is the source of our confidence (7:18-20).
Messiah: Micah 5:2 is one of the clearest and most important Old Testament prophecies: “But you,
Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth
to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” This
prophecy about the birth and eternality of the Messiah was made seven hundred years before His birth. The
chief priests and scribes paraphrased this verse in Matthew 2:5-6 when questioned about the birthplace of
Messiah.