Micah
Purpose
Micah is a country prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah who ministers in the same turbulent late-eighth-century world as Isaiah, and he speaks with a rustic directness against the corrupt powers of the capital: rulers who "build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with wrong," greedy land-grabbers, false prophets who preach peace for a fee, and priests who serve for hire. He foresees the destruction of Samaria and, more shockingly, the fall of Jerusalem itself — Zion will be plowed like a field — because the leaders' exploitation of the poor has emptied the nation's covenant of its moral content. Yet Micah is also the prophet of the clearest summary of true religion: "He has told you, O man, what is good… to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (6:8). The book balances stern judgement with luminous hope: a remnant will be gathered, a future ruler will come from little Bethlehem to shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, and the nations will stream to a Zion restored under the rule of peace.
Author
Micah, the Moreshite, from Moresheth-gath
Time Period
Ministry c. 735-700 BC, during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah
Key Themes
- Judgement on corruption
- Social justice
- The Messiah from Bethlehem
- The remnant
- God's shepherd-care
- Mercy
Outline
Oracles of judgement on Samaria and Jerusalem (ch. 1–3): the LORD comes down to witness; the weeping and the transgressions of the people; the rulers who build with blood; the prophets who lead astray; and Zion plowed like a field. Promises of restoration and the coming ruler (ch. 4–5): the nations streaming to Zion's mountain and the word of the LORD; the lame gathered; from Bethlehem Ephrathah comes forth the one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old; the remnant like dew among the nations; and the LORD removes idolatry and shepherds the flock. The LORD's case and the way of life (ch. 6–7): "What does the LORD require of you?"; the LORD's complaint against dishonest commerce; the punishment; the prophet's confession of sin and confidence in God's justice; "who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression"; and the restoration of the covenant people.