Introduction to Micah

Micah has been called a “miniature Isaiah” because of its similarities to that book. Both prophets spoke to the same audience from the same city during roughly the same historical period: Jerusalem in the eighth century bc. During Micah’s ministry, the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrian Empire (722 bc), and the southern kingdom of Judah came close to the same fate in 701 bc (see 2 Kgs 17–20). According to Micah, who prophesied to both kingdoms, the reason for these attacks was the abuse of prosperity by God’s people. He gives both warnings and oracles of hope—looking forward to a day of judgment leading to peace (Mic 4:2–5).

Background

Micah was from Judah and prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Mic 1:1; ca. 740–700 bc). Jeremiah 26:18 also mentions the prophet Micah: About 100 years after Micah, Jeremiah records that Micah of Moresheth prophesied during Hezekiah’s time. It seems that Micah’s hometown, also called Moresheth-Gath, was located about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem—an area through which Assyrian forces often traveled (Mic 1:1, 14). Therefore, Micah may have been an eyewitness to Assyria’s invasion of Judah.

The biblical account of Assyria’s siege of Jerusalem states that Yahweh killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers while they slept just outside the city (2 Kgs 19:35–36; 2 Chr 32:21–31). Consequently, the Assyrian king Sennacherib and his army were forced to retreat. An inscription found in Sennacherib’s palace admits the defeat, saying that Hezekiah “did not submit to my yoke.” By the end of Hezekiah’s reign, Assyria’s successor—the Babylonian Empire—was gaining power (Mic 4:10; 2 Kgs 20:12–21). Micah views Assyria and Babylon as instruments of divine judgment for the unfaithfulness of God’s people. He focuses his prophecies on his own people, condemning their idolatry, oppression of the poor, and greed (Mic 1:7; 2:1–2; 3:11).

Structure

Although Micah predicts the fall of Samaria (the capital of Israel at the time; Mic 1:6) at the beginning of the book and the Babylonian captivity near the end (Mic 7:8–9), most of the material is not arranged chronologically. Instead, the book is organized around three major prophetic oracles, each opening with a call to listen for (or hear) the word of Yahweh (Mic 1:2; 3:1; 6:1). The first oracle (1:2–2:13) announces Yahweh’s judgment on Israel and Judah—particularly on their selfish leaders. The second oracle contrasts the ungodly leaders in Jerusalem (Mic 3:1–12) and the future Messiah (Mic 4:1–5:15). Micah 4–5 offers hope that Yahweh will bring about a time of peace and prosperity. The third oracle begins with an accusation (Mic 6:1–16) and a lament (Mic 7:1–7). Judah is accused of acting in an ungodly way, like Israel, the northern kingdom. The book concludes with a promise of forgiveness and future restoration (Mic 7:8–20).

Outline

• Judgment is coming (Mic 1:1–2:13)

• Restoration follows judgment (Mic 3:1–5:15)

• Charge against Israel and promise of salvation (Mic 6:1–7:20)

Themes

The two main themes of Micah are God’s judgment against idolatry and injustice, and hope that God’s people will return to Him and be restored. Micah warns the people of Judah that if they behave as the northern kingdom of Israel did, they will face the same kind of divine judgment that befell Israel (Mic 1:5; 3:1; 6:16). But Micah 4–5 speaks of forgiveness and hope. Micah proclaims that this salvation will emerge through a ruler from Bethlehem; Micah boldly claims this ruler will shepherd the people of Israel and judge between people and nations (Mic 5:1–6). This prophecy ultimately points to Jesus (Matt 2:1–12; compare Luke 2:1–20).

The book of Micah is a call to repent and authentically worship Yahweh. Worship is not an activity that can be tacked on a life of self-absorption; it is a total reorienting of our lives around God. Instead of acting like Israel’s selfish leaders (Mic 3:1–12), we should model what He truly desires: justice, mercy, and humility (Mic 6:8). Although people continue to walk in the name of their own gods, Micah tells us that we should live differently: We must walk in the name of our God, Yahweh (Mic 4:5).

Further Reading

The Minor Prophets

Micah, Book of CLBD

Micah the Prophet CLBD