Micah

God’s judgment and God’s love are real

Outline

• Introduction

• Content

• Lessons learned

• Application

Introduction• Key Verse

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.”

• Author– Probably Micah, perhaps a collection of various prophets

• Purpose– To warn the Jewish people of God’s coming judgment for their sin and

disobedience. Also, to teach them to live with justice and holiness in anticipation of the messiah to come.

• Time Period742-687 B.C.Reign of Jotham, Ahaz and HezekiahPeriod of Assyrian Dominance

• Setting– Political tensions during the reign of Ahaz

which led to subjection to Assyria– Hezekiah attempts to break free from

Assyrian rule, but fails – The people worshipped God as an obligation,

no life-changing reality– They didn’t walk humbly with God but instead

failed to practice justice and pursued idolatry

Who is Micah?

• Micah means “Who is like Yahweh?”

• The prophet of authentic worship/service to God and social justice

• Contemporary of Isaiah and cited by Jeremiah as an anti-establishment prophet who was respected by the king

• Southerner from Moresheth, from a rural background

Content

Micah, The Book

• Two basic parts– Chapters 1-5

• Judgments and promises for Jerusalem and Samaria

– Chapters 6-7• The trial of the people and their restoration

• Chapters 1-51. Corrupt leaders of both nations denounced

2. Fall of Samaria and Jerusalem foreseen

3. Justice for the poor and oppressed

4. Prophets of peace are false

5. Restoration of the Davidic Kingdom and Jerusalem

Chapters 6-7

1. The Lord requires proper lifestyle, not empty ritual

2. Jerusalem is guilty because of injustice

3. The people will be restored after punishment

Key Passages in MicahA. 3:9-12

“Zion shall be plowed as a field, Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins.”B. 4:1-5

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks…they shall no longer learn war.”C. 5:2-4

“But you O Bethlehem Ephrathah…from you shall come forth one who is to be a ruler in Israel.”D. 6:1-8

“What does the Lord require of you…do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”

Themes

• Perverting faith

• Oppression

• The Messiah---King of Peace

• Pleasing God

Perverting faith

Explanation – God will judge the false prophets, dishonest leaders, and selfish priests. They perverted their faith by mixing their selfish motives with an empty display of religion.

Importance – Don’t try to mix your own selfish desires with true faith in God.

Oppression Explanation – Micah predicts ruin for all nations and leaders who were oppressive towards others. God will not put up with such injustice.Importance – Don’t ask God for help while ignoring those who are needy and oppressed or condoning the actions of those who oppress them.

The Messiah, King of Peace

Explanation – God promises a new king to bring strength and peace to his people. He will restore his people through the Messiah.

Importance – We can have God’s peace now by giving up our sins and welcoming Christ as king.

Pleasing GodExplanation – Micah preaches that God’s greatest desire was not the offering of sacrifices, but he rather delights in faith that produces justice, love for others, and obedience to himImportance – True faith in God generates kindness, compassion, justice and humility.

Lessons Learned