MICAH
Author:
Micah was probably from the town of Moresheth-Gath which was near the Philistine city of Gath. His name is an abbreviated form of Micaiah, which means “Who is like Jehovah?” He is not the same as the prophet by that name who prophesied in the days of Ahab. This Micah is mentioned in Jer 26:18.
Date:
Perhaps sometime about 700 BC, though Micah had been prophesying for many years before that.
Themes:
The wickedness of the people and God’s coming judgment. This little book contains prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. The place of His birth is announced 700 years before it took place (Micah 5:2), and His coming kingdom is briefly described (Micah 4:1-8). A famous description of true religion is given in Micah 6:8, and a beautiful passage about God’s mercy and love in Micah 7:18-20.
Contents:
God is about to bring punishment on evil people 1:2-5
God will bring ruin on Samaria and its idols 1:5-7
A lament concerning the coming invasion of
the Assyrians 1:8-16
The reasons for God’s severe judgments 2:1-11
The future well-being of the remnant of Israel 2:12-13
Warnings to evil leaders and false prophets 3:1-7
The difference between Micah and false prophets 3:7-8
Complete destruction of Jerusalem because of
the wickedness of rulers, priests, prophets 3:9-12
God’s coming kingdom will rule the whole earth 4:1-8
Suffering and exile will end, well-being return 4:9-13
The future Ruler will be born in Bethlehem 5:1-5
Israel, delivered from idolatry, will conquer
its enemies 5:7-15
God’s indictment against His people 6:1-5
Acting justly, loving mercy 6:6-8
God’s indictment continued 6:9-16
The prophet’s lament over the wickedness
of the people 7:1-6
Hope in God 7:7-9
Future well-being of Jerusalem 7:10-13
God will forgive the sins of His people, forget those sins
forever, and deal with His people lovingly 7:14-20