Micah the prophet

Starting today, we begin our study of the Book of Micah. Micah 1:1 says, “The word of the Lord which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and which he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem.” (1) The name Micah means, “Who is like the Lord?” In 7:18 it says, “Who is a God like You, who pardons wrongdoing and passes over a rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.” This also serve as a play on words with the name “Micah.” (2) He was a prophet who lived at the same time as Isaiah. Whereas Isaiah was a prophet of the city (Jerusalem), Micah was a prophet from the countryside. His hometown was a town called Moresheth-gath (Jer. 26:18), located about 7 miles (11 km) east of Gath in the land of the Philistines and about 19 miles (30 km) southwest of Jerusalem. (3) Micah ministered during the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (approx. 750-686 BC). Jotham was a short-lived king. Ahaz was an evil king who brought idolatry into Judah (the southern kingdom). As a result, Judah came under the control of Assyria. Hezekiah was a good king. He rebelled against Assyria, and as a result, the Assyrian army invaded Judah. In the context of the Assyrian attacks, the prophet Micah proclaimed the word of the Lord to the people. It was by no means an easy ministry. (4) Micah’s prophetic message was directed to both Samaria (the northern kingdom) and Jerusalem (the southern kingdom).

The themes of the Book of Micah

Micah spoke with the following four central themes: (1) God will surely punish the unfaithful northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. (2) The leaders who led the nation to destruction bear great responsibility. God will also punish the leaders. (3) However, within the unfaithful nation, a faithful remnant (the remnant of Israel) will remain. (4) Israel’s salvation and redemption will be given through the Messiah. The heart of Micah’s prophecy is that Israel’s hope would be given not by escaping judgment, but through judgment. This was a prophecy difficult for the people of Israel to accept. However, God was seeking to form for Himself a special people, a holy people. This could be accomplished only through judgment. Micah prays, “Shepherd Your people with Your scepter, The flock of Your possession Which lives by itself in the woodland, In the midst of a fruitful field. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead As in the days of old” (7:14). In the New Testament, Peter writes as follows: “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Let us also remember the blessing of “sanctification” that trials bring, and live out our earthly lives with courage.