The ‘Country Prophet:’ Why Study the Book of Micah PART 02

Summary of Micah

This Book of Micah is divided into three parts:

Part 01 - Chapters 1-3: This section is about the indictment and punishment of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah for idolatry, injustice, immorality, which brought corruption, oppression, bribery, and putrid pride. Both kingdoms would be judged for their sins. Kings, priests, and false prophets were especially culpable for this rampage of sin.

Part 02 - Chapters 4-5: From crime and punishment, Hosea speaks about the glories of the coming Messianic kingdom. His words in 4:1-5 mirror Isaiah 2:2-4. In the latter days people worldwide will come to the mountain of the House of the Lord, where God personally will teach people of His ways and they will walk in His paths. This is referring to the Kingdom of Christ and the Lord Himself will do the teaching. Peace and prosperity will be the hallmarks of His reign.

Part 03 - Chapter 6-7: This final part is about justice and mercy. It comes across as a courtroom trial, where God the plaintiff builds the case against the sins of His people. Israel confesses its sin and God promises to abundantly pardon.

Distinct Features of Micah

Micah’s prophecy a century before Jeremiah helped deliver the latter from certain execution, when prophesying the conquest of Jerusalem under the Babylonians. Jeremiah 26:18: Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest (quoting Micah 3:12). This prophecy got the besieged Jeremiah off the hook.

Other quotes from Micah include:

•    The wise men who visited Herod en route to meeting the Christ child (Matthew 2:5-6, cf Micah 5:2).

•    Jesus when He sent out the 12 (Matthew 10:35-36; cf Micah 7:6);

•    Isaiah 2:2-4; 41:15; Ezekiel 22:27; and Zephaniah 3:19 are other quotes.

Fulfilled Prophecies of Micah include:

•    1:6-7: Fall of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom (722 BC);

•    1:9-16: Invasion of Judah by Sennarcherib in the days of Hezekiah (701 BC);

•    3:12; 7:13: Fall of Jerusalem (586 BC);

•    4:10: Judah’s exile to Babylon (586 BC);

•    4:1-8, 13; 7:11, 14-17: Return from Babylonian captivity;

•    5:2: Birth of Jesus from Bethlehem

Outline of Micah

Part One: God’s Judgement Against Israel & Judah(1:1-3:12)

1:1                   Introduction

1:2-7                Downfall of the Northern Kingdom Predicted

1:8-16              Downfall of the Southern Kingdom of Judah Predicted

2:1-11              Judgement for Sin like pride & greed (2:1-5) and false prophets (2:6-11)

2:12-13            Deliverance hinted

3:1-12              Sins named: Injustice & oppression (3:1-4); False prophets (3:5-7); Micah                                         empower prophet (3:8); leadership’s sins (3:9-12);

Part Two: The Hope of the Coming Kingdom (4:1-5:15)

4:1-8:               Description of the coming global righteous Messianic kingdom;

4:9-13              Israel’s Enemies Defeated;

5:1-5                The Coming King is Coming from Bethlehem;  

5:6-15              What the Coming Kingdom Will Be Like;

Part Three: God’s Justice and Mercy (6:1-7:20)

6:1-8                God’s Indicts His People;

6:9-16              Israel declared guilty and sentenced;

7:1-6                Cry of the prophet;

7:7                   Hope among the tears;

7:8-13              Israel’s Comeback;

7:14-20            God’s Grand Benediction on Israel.