In today’s video we’re going to, survey and briefly summarize the Book of Micah.
Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: The author of the Book of Micah was the Prophet Micah (Micah 1:1).
As for the Date of Writing: The Book of Micah was likely written between 735 and 700 B.C.
Now, for the Purpose of Writing: The message of the Book of Micah is a complex mixture
of judgment and hope.
On the one hand, the prophecies announce judgment upon Israel for social evils, corrupt leadership
and idolatry.
This judgment was expected to culminate in the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem.
On the other hand, the book proclaims not merely the restoration of the nation, but
the transformation and exaltation of Israel and Jerusalem.
The messages of hope and doom are not necessarily contradictory, however, since restoration
and transformation take place only after judgment.
Here are a few Key Verses:
Micah 1:2, "Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it, that the Sovereign
LORD may witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple."
Micah 5:2, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from
of old, from ancient times."
Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 7:18-19, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of His inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all
our iniquities into the depths of the sea."
Brief Summary: The prophet condemns the rulers, priests, and prophets of Israel who exploit
and mislead the people.
It is because of their deeds that Jerusalem will be destroyed.
The prophet Micah proclaims the deliverance of the people who will go from Jerusalem to
Babylon and concludes with an exhortation for Jerusalem to destroy the nations who have
gathered against her.
The ideal ruler would come from Bethlehem to defend the nation, and the prophet proclaims
the triumph of the remnant of Jacob and foresees a day when Yahweh will purge the nation of
idolatry and reliance on military might.
The prophet sets forth a powerful and concise summary of Yahweh’s requirement for justice
and loyalty and announces judgment upon those who have followed the ways of Omri and Ahab.
The book closes with a prophetic liturgy comprising elements of a lament.
Israel confesses its sin and is assured of deliverance through Yahweh’s mighty acts.
As for Foreshadowings: Micah 5:2 is a Messianic prophecy quoted when the magi were searching
for the king born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:6).
These wise men from the East were told that from the tiny village of Bethlehem would come
forth the Prince of Peace, the Light of the world.
Micah’s message of sin, repentance, and restoration finds its ultimate fulfillment
in Jesus Christ who is the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:24-25) and the only way
to God (John 14:6).
Here’s some Practical Application: God gives warnings so we will not have to suffer His
wrath.
Judgment is certain if God’s warnings are not heeded and His provision for sin in the
sacrifice of His Son is rejected.
For the believer in Christ, God will discipline us—not from hate—but because He loves
us.
He knows that sin destroys and He wants us to be whole.
This wholeness which is the promise of restoration awaits those who remain obedient to Him.
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