Micah 13 ABC 1 November 2020IntroductionMicah Chp 1

The Lord comes to judge Israel (and Judah)Coming judgment on Judah

ConclusionsApplications

IntroductionAuthorDateHistorical SettingPurposeThemeKey Verse

Outstanding TeachingsSpecial CharacteristicsInteresting FeaturesKey to UnderstandingOutline

Author The word “micah” means “Who is like Yahweh?”Micah bore the same name, abbreviated, as Micaiah, the son of Imlah, the prophet of Israel, who stood alone for God against the 400 false prophets, 150 years before this, in the days of Ahab, when he and Jehoshaphat went against Ramoth-Gilead (1 Kings 22). 

The prophet Micah identified himself by his hometown, called Moresheth Gath, which sat near the border of Philistia and Judah about twenty-five miles southwest of Jerusalem. Dwelling in a largely agricultural part of the country, Micah lived outside the governmental centers of power in his nation, leading to his strong concern for the lowly and less fortunate of society—the lame, the outcasts, and the afflicted. Charles Swindol Overview of Micah, Classic series God’s Masterwork

Characterization of the Prophet MicahA. "He was the prophet of the poor and downtrodden."B. "He had Amos' passion for justice and Hosea's heart for love."C. Comparing Micah to his contemporary Isaiah

1) Micah was a man of the fields, Isaiah was of the city2) Micah took little interest in politics, giving himself to the concern over spiritual and moral problems; Isaiah was in close contact with world affairs, the associate of kings and princes3) Both Micah and Isaiah...

a) Saw God as the infinite Ruler of nations and menb) Recognized the absolute holiness and majesty of Godc) Stressed that violating principles of God's divine sovereignty and holiness would bring judgment and doom

Mark Copeland Executable Outlines

DateMicah's ministry could be assigned generally to a time between 735 and 700 B.C.Hamptom Keathley IV Bible.Org

Historical SettingsThis means that Micah ministered as a prophet some time between the years 739 B.C. (the start of the reign of Jotham) and 686 B.C. (the end of the reign of Hezekiah). Since Hezekiah

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was a noted reformer, we can suppose that the sin Micah confronted mainly concerns the time before the important reforms of Hezekiah (2 Kin 18-20).David Guzik in Enduringword.com

Micah prophesied during a period of upheaval and crisis. The reign of Ahaz brought spiritual lethargy, apostasy and hypocrisy. The people still worshipped Yahweh, but it was ritual without life-changing reality. Their treatment of fellow Israelites violated the basic tenants of the Mosaic covenant as they failed to practice justice, or covenant loyalty-love and their pursuit of idolatry revealed their failure to walk humbly before Yahweh.Hamptom Keathley IV Bible.Org

PurposeMicah's purpose in writing was to show Judah that a necessary product of her covenant relationship to God was to be justice and holiness. His focus on God's justice was to remind the people that God would judge them for their sin and disobedience (chaps 1-3) but that he would ultimately establish a kingdom whose king would reign in righteousness (chaps 4-5). He convicts Israel and Judah of their sin (in the lawsuit 6-7) and sentences them to judgment.Hamptom Keathley IV Bible.Org

ThemeLittle is said of his personal history, the book is given over to reproof and warning to both Kingdoms. Micah has been called the "prophet of social reform" due to his emphasis on the sins of the rulers and false religious leaders against the people. National shortcomings are also emphasized with judgment promised. There is a better day coming for GOD's people.William Orr http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=SHx3Dxw2PnQ%3d&tabid=174&mid=575

Key VerseMic 7:18  Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 

Mic 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 

Outstanding TeachingsIt was to Micah's prophecy the scribes of Jerusalem referred when the wicked King Herod sought to know concerning the birth of the new King (Matthew 2:2-6; Micah 5:2). A glorious passage (somewhat identical with Isaiah 2:2-4) is found in 4:1-5 as the prophet speaks of a warless, prosperous, godly world with GOD's chosen people in the foreground. Other prophetic subjects include the invasion by Shalmaneser (1:6-8); invasion by Sennacherib (1:9-16); the dispersion of Israel (5:7, 8); the cessation of prophecy (3:6, 7); the utter destruction of Jerusalem (3:12).William Orr

Special CharacteristicsThough Assyria was world dominant, Micah's prophecy was concerning Babylon's conquest (4:10) which was not to take place for another century. Micah's style is poetically beautiful and vigorous. He is quite clear in his predictions of coming punishment although there are passages that are somewhat obscure. Much of the subject matter concerns the capitals,

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Jerusalem and Samaria. As to the latter, it was to become "as an heap of the field" (1:6); Jerusalem was to become "heaps" (3:12).William Orr

Interesting Features1. Jeremiah refers to Micah in his prophecy (Jeremiah 26:18, 19). 2. Some say the greatest verse in the Old Testament is 6:8. 3. One of the Old Testament's major Messianic predictions is in Micah 5:2.

William Orr

Micah is quoted in the New TestamentMicah 5:2 <> Mt. 2:5–6; Jn 7:42)Micah 7:6 <> Mt. 10:34–36; Mk 13:12; Lk 12:53)Compared with other prophets, Micah’s proportion of foretelling relative to forthtelling is high. He has much to say about the future of Israel and the advent and reign of Messiah. Wilkinson & Boa Talk Thru the Bible

Key to UnderstandingGOD uses men to proclaim His message. Here, through the instrumentality of a chosen man, some amazing details of future history are given to all who will hear. As always, GOD warns before He sends punishment.William Orr

OutlineSome Bible teachers have it that the little work consists of three addresses, each opened by the word "Hear". This is simply division according to literary form rather than subject-matter. If we would get the message of the book as a whole we must analyze according to subject-matter; and when we do this we find, as just shown, a triple message, the logical sequence of which is clear:1. IMMINENT JUDGMENT DECLARED (Micah 1-3)2. ULTIMATE BLESSING PROMISED (Micah 4-5).3. PRESENT REPENTANCE PLEADED (Micah 6-7).Sidlow Baxter Explore the Book

Micah is a hard prophet to understand because the book alternates back and forth between threats of doom and promises of hope. It is hard to figure out what situations he is referring to and how the hope and doom relate to each other. Probably the reason the book is arranged like this is to make the point that where God and His people are concerned there is always hope, even in the darkest catastrophe. So Micah mingles gloom and glory through his book.John Piper From Bethlehem in the Majesty of the Name of the Lord

OUTLINE OF MICAHI. The Superscription, Micah 1:1II. A Message of Destruction for Samaria and Judah, Micah 1:2-2:13

A. The Revelation of the Coming Judgment, Micah 1:2-16B. The Reasons for the Coming Judgment, Micah 2:1-13

III. A Message of Doom and Deliverance, Micah 3:1-5:15A. Doom: The Coming Judgment, Micah 3:1-12

1. Judgment on the leaders, Micah 3:1-42. Judgment on the false prophets, Micah 3:5-8

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3. Judgment on Jerusalem, Micah 3:9-12B. Deliverance: The Coming Kingdom, Micah 4:1-5:1

1. The glories of the Kingdom, Micah 4:1-82. The suffering that precedes the kingdom, Micah 4:9-5:1

C. Deliverer: The Coming King, Micah 5:2-151. His First Coming, Micah 5:2-32. His Second Coming, Micah 5:4-15

IV. A Message of Denunciation, Micah 6:1-7:10A. God's First Indictment, Micah 6:1-5B. Israel's First Reply, Micah 6:6-8C. God's Second Indictment, Micah 6:9-16D. Israel's Second Reply, Micah 7:1-10

V. Epilogue: Blessings for Israel, Micah 7:11-20( Ryrie Study Bible, Expanded Edition NASB 1995 )

Much of Micah’s book revolves around two significant predictions: one of judgment on Israel and Judah (Mic 1:1-3:12), the other of the restoration of God’s people in the millennial kingdom (Mic 4:1-5:15). Judgment and restoration inspire fear and hope, two ideas wrapped up in the final sequence of Micah’s prophecy, a courtroom scene in which God’s people stand trial before their Creator for turning away from Him and from others (Mic 6:1-7:20). In this sequence, God reminds the people of His good works on their behalf, how He cared for them while they cared only for themselves. But rather than leave God’s people with the fear and sting of judgment, the book of Micah concludes with the prophet’s call on the Lord as his only source of salvation and mercy (Mic 7:7), pointing the people toward an everlasting hope in their everlasting God. Charles Swindoll  Book of Micah Overview

OUTLINE OF MICAHI. The Threatening Judgment of God

Chapter 1 The Coming JudgmentChapter 2 Guilt and Punishment of Israel

II. Judgment and Restoration of IsraelChapter 3 Accusation of the Leaders of the PeopleChapter 4 Future Glory and Final VictoryChapter 5 The Messiah and His People

III. God's Way to SalvationChapter 6 Appeal to the Heart of the PeopleChapter 7 Fulfilment of God's Promise for the Remnant

Adapted from Arend Remmers in Studylight.org

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Chart from Jensen’s Survey of the OT

But Micah focused on moral and social problems while Isaiah placed greater stress on world affairs and political concerns. Bruce Wilkinson, Kenneth D Boa Talk Thru the Bible

Micah and Isaiah were contemporaries, and their books parallel one another in several ways. One possible difference (apart from the geographical and social background of each prophet) is the general emphasis of each book. Isaiah's prophecies were directed more to the royal household and the people of Jerusalem, while Micah's prophecies were directed more to the “common people” of the land.Hamptom Keathley IV Bible.Org

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Precepts Austin

In some ways, Micah is a miniature of Isaiah. Both prophets addressed the same people, similar problems at the same time.Micah chapter Isaiah chapter1:2 1:21:3 26:212:1-2 5:82:6.11 30:10-112:12 10:20-233:5-7 29:9-123:8 58:13:12 32:13-144:1-3 2:2-44:7b 9:74:10b 39:65:5 14:256:7 1:117:2 58:17:7 8:177:12 19:23-25

This inscription, in the first place, shows the time in which Micah lived, and during which God employed his labours. And this deserves to be noticed: for at this day his sermons would be useless, or at least frigid, except his time were known to us, and we be thereby enabled to compare what is alike and what is different in the men of his age, and in those of our own: for when we understand that Micah condemned this or that vice, as we may also learn from the other Prophets and from sacred history, we are able to apply more easily to ourselves what he then said, inasmuch as we can view our own life as it were in a mirror. This is the reason why the Prophets are wont to mention the time in which they executed their office. (John Calvin)

Micah was contemporary with Isaiah: but as Isaiah began his office under Uzziah, we conclude that he was older. Why then was Micah joined to him? That the Lord might thus break down the stubbornness of the people. It was indeed enough that one man was sent by God to bear witness to the truth; but it pleased God that a testimony should be borne by the mouth of two, and that holy Isaiah should be assisted by this friend and, as it were, his colleague. (John Calvin)

Micaiah had concluded his prophecy with the words, “Hearken, O people, every one of you.” Micah begins his prophecy with the same words.

"Hear ye, hear ye!" to the people of the earth, as a clerk summons a courtroom jury to pay attention to the testimony that will follow. Micah presented his message in the setting of a courtroom trial.Thomas Constable Expository Notes on Micah

The mention of Micah’s hometown rather than his father’s name suggests that he had come to Jerusalem and had become known there as the Micah from Moresheth. Normally a man

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who was a longtime resident of a town was described as the son of so and so rather than as being from a particular place.Thomas Constable Expository Notes on Micah

Micah addresses a small people in a strip of land merely about the size of Wales, yet in Mic 1:2 and Mic 6:1-2, he commands the whole earth, the mountains, the hills, to attend (in Scripture usage mountains and hills frequently symbolize kingdoms). This is no mere rhetoric. Micah realized that the covenant people were brought into their unique relationship with Jehovah so that through them the sovereignty of the true God, in its governmental administration among the nations, might be objectified to all peoples and for all time. Had Israel remained faithful she would have displayed the munificence of the Divine government. Alas, Israel exhibits a tragically different yet vastly significant aspect of the Divine government; and well may the nations of today heed it!Sidlow Baxter Explore the Book

This opening pericope sets the tone and forms the backdrop for the rest of the book. All people were to hear God’s indictment against His people (Mic 1:2). Punishment was coming (Mic 1:3-4) that would be both reasonable (Mic 1:5) and certain (Mic 1:6-7).Thomas Constable

This vision, he says, was given him against two cities Samaria and Jerusalem. It is certain that the Prophet was specifically sent to the Jews; and Maresah, from which he arose, as it appears from the inscription, was in the tribe of Judah: for Morasthite was an appellative, derived from the place Maresah. But it may be asked, why does he say that visions had been given him against Samaria? (John Calvin)

We have said elsewhere, that though Hosea was specifically and in a peculiar manner destined for the kingdom of Israel, he yet by the way mingled sometimes those things which referred to the tribe or kingdom of Judah: and such was also the case with our Prophet; he had a regard chiefly to his own kindred, for he knew that he was appointed for them; but, at the same time, he overlooked not wholly the other part of the people; for the kingdom of Israel was not so divided from the tribe of Judah that no connection remained: for God was unwilling that his covenant should be abolished by their defection from the kingdom of David. We hence see, that though Micah spent chiefly his labors in behalf of the Jews, he yet did not overlook or entirely neglect the Israelites. (John Calvin)

There is, at the same time, no doubt but that the Prophet was ill received by the Jews on this account; for they deemed it a great indignity, and by no means to be endured, to be tied up in the same bundle with the Israelites; for Samaria was an abomination to the kingdom of Judah; and yet the Prophet here makes no difference between Samaria and Jerusalem. This was then an exasperating sentence: but we see how boldly the Prophet performs the office committed to him; for he regarded not what would be agreeable to men, nor endeavored to draw them by smooth things: though his message was disliked, he yet proclaimed it, for he was so commanded, nor could he shake off the yoke of his vocation. (John Calvin)

Micah prophesied the coming judgment on Samaria, the capital city of Israel, the kingdom of the ten northern tribes. This was fulfilled in 722 B.C. when Samaria fell to the Assyrians and was completely destroyed.David Guzik in Enduringword.com

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It says God will tread on the high places. The high places were where the Israelites were forbidden to set up altars and where they did just that to worship other gods. What is the high place of Judah in verse 5? It was Jerusalem. Jerusalem is actually on a hill. The reason it is referred to as a high place is because it had ceased to be the place where they worshipped Yahweh. It is pictured as a pagan high place.Hamptom Keathley IV Bible.Org

By the high places of the earth I do not understand superstitious places, but those well fortified. We know that fortresses were then fixed, for the most part, on elevated situations. The Prophet then intimates, that there would be no place into which God’s vengeance would not penetrate, however well fortified it might be: “No enclosures,” he says, “shall hinder God from penetrating into the inmost parts of your fortresses; he shall tread on the high places of the earth.” At the same time, I doubt not but that he alludes, by this kind of metaphor, to the chief men, who thought themselves exempted from the common lot of mankind; for they excelled so much in power, riches, and authority, that they would not be classed with the common people. The Prophet then intimates, that those, who were become proud through a notion of their own superiority would not be exempt from punishment. (John Calvin)

In Beth Aphrah roll yourself in the dust: Following to the end of the chapter, Micah used puns and plays on words to talk about the judgment coming upon the cities of Judah. These towns were clustered in the Shephelah – the lowlands between the coastal region and the mountains of Judah.Though Micah used puns, this wasn’t about clever word games – it went back to the ancient idea that a name wasn’t just your name but that it described your character and your destiny, sometimes prophetically. In showing how the name of these cities was in some way a prophecy of their destiny, Micah showed how our character becomes our future.David Guzik

Beth Aphrah: To Micah, Aphrah sounded like the Hebrew word for dust, so he told the citizens of Beth Aphrah to roll in the dust in anticipation of coming judgment.Shaphir: The name of this town sounded like the word for beautiful. It wouldn’t be beautiful for long, and Micah warned the citizens of Shaphir to prepare for judgment.Zaanan: The name of this town sounded like the Hebrew word for exit or go out. When the enemy’s siege armies would come, the Jewish people would not exit at all – they would be shut up in the city until they fell.Beth Ezel: The name of this town means the nearby city. When the army of judgment comes, it won’t be near and helpful to any other city.Maroth: The name of this town means bitterness, and when the army of judgment comes, the citizens of Maroth will know plenty of bitterness.Lachish: The name of this town sounded like the Hebrew word for to the horses. Lachish was an important fortress city, and they should go to the horses to fight, but ironically, they would go to the horses to flee the army of judgment.Moreshethgath: The name of this, Micah’s hometown, sounded like the Hebrew word for betrothed. Here he spoke of giving the city wedding gifts as she passed from the rule of one “husband” (Judah) to another (the invading army).Achzib: The name of this town sounds like the Hebrew word for deceitful or disappointing. This city would fall so quickly it would be a deception and a disappointment for Israel.Mareshah: The name of this town is related to the Hebrew word for possessor or heir. The invading army would soon possess this city.

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Adullam: The was the place of refuge for David when he fled from King Saul. It would again be a place of refuge for the high and mighty among Israel, when they would be forced to hide out in Adullam.

ConclusionsFinally, we revert to Micah's august declaration as to the true essence of religion. A great scholar has said of Mic 6:1-8: "These few verses in which Micah sets forth the true essence of religion may raise a well-founded title to be counted as the most important in the prophetic literature." Underline that eighth verse. Note that God "REQUIRES," for He is God. And God also REVEALS, for "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good..." (a reference to the Law of Moses Deut 10:12). Yet even this is not enough. If we would know the full chord in the music we must turn on to the New Testament, and learn there that God REDEEMS. He "requires" because He is God. He "reveals" because He is good. He "redeems" because He is love. The Christ of God has been already to redeem. He will come again to restore. Meanwhile let us view all our life in the light of the Divine purposes and the future reappearance of the great "RULER" whose goings forth have been "from of old, even from everlasting."Sidlow Baxter Explore the Book

Applications"What the peoples are supposed to hear, serves not to increase their knowledge but to determine their lives." Hans W. Wolff, Micah , p55.What is true Worship?When we deviate from the true worship of God, we may be happy, healthy and wealthy, God is not deceived and He will punish.

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