Micah (Who is like YHWH)
Main idea: God judges His people’s sin, but promises to restore a faithful remnant through the coming Davidic Shepherd-King.
Outline:
* 1-2: God Is Coming in Power to Establish Justice
* 3-5: Just Leadership Will Come to Zion
* 6-7: Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope
* (Adapted from Gary Smith, Hosea, Amos, Micah. NIVAC)
Theme 1: God’s Judgment on Covenant Unfaithfulness
* 1:2–7 — Judgment announced on Samaria for idolatry.
* 2:1–2 — Condemnation of land-grabbers and oppression.
* 3:1–3 — Leaders, prophets, and priests exploit the people; Jerusalem will fall.
Theme 2: True Covenant Faithfulness: Justice, Mercy, Humility
* 6:6–7 — Critique of empty sacrifices without heart obedience.
* 6:8 — Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God.
Theme 3: The Hope of the Davidic Shepherd-King
* 2:12–13 — God Himself leads His remnant like a shepherd.
* 4:1–5 — Zion exalted; nations stream to God in peace.
* 4:6–8 — God restores the “lame” remnant and reigns as King.
* 5:2–5a — The ruler from Bethlehem, whose origins are “from ancient days,” shepherds and brings worldwide peace.
Final resolve of Micah:
* 7:7 — Though there is great injustice, Micah looks to YHWH for salvation
* 7:18–20 — God’s own covenant faithfulness motivates His people’s.
Nahum (comfort)
Main Idea: God will judge all evil as seen through the overthrow of Assyria
* (Nineveh is the capital of Assyria)
* Past actions don’t justify present rebellion (cf. Jonah)
* 1:1–6 – God appears to judge evil among the nations
* 1:7–8 – fate of faithful
* 1:12–15 – The end of evil is good news
Habakkuk
Main Idea: Prideful are humbled. Righteous live by faith.
Outline:
1–2a – Complaints and responses
* Conversation #1
* 1:2–4 – corruption in Judah
* 1:5–11 – Look I am raising up the Babylonians
* Conversation #2
* 1:12–2:1 – What! Babylon! They are even worse
* 2:2–5 – righteous will live by faith – God will bring Babylon down
* God may use corrupt kingdoms but doesn’t endorse them
* All nations are accountable to gods justice
* 2b – five woes
* 1 unjust wealth
* 2 unjust gain
* 3 slave labor
* 4 irresponsible leaders
* 5 idolatry
* 3 – Habakkuk’s prayer
* 3:1-2 – pleads with God to bring justice now
* 3:3–7 – God’s shows up in power to judge
* 3:8–15 – a new future exodus
* 3:16–19 – hopeful praise even if there is darkness (example of the righteous by faith)
Zephaniah (YHWH has hidden)
Main Idea: God will judge the nations like a consuming fire, but through judgment, there will be restoration
* 1–2:3 – Judgment on jerusalem
* 2:4–3:8 – Judgment on the nations & Jerusalem
* 3:9–20 – Hope for the nations & Jerusalem
* 3:9-10 – purify the lips of the nations
* 3:11-20 – restoration of Jerusalem
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prattb128.substack.com