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The Book of Micah
Introduction

I will do the Micah Commentary similar to my other Commentaries . . . in that I will bring the verse or verses in the KJV, followed by what it is saying to me. What I write will be a personal comment, it is NOT Scripture.

Micah was a native of Moresheth in Judah. He was a contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah. Micah is a shortened form of Micaiah, meaning who is like Jehovah?

He belonged to the territory of Judah but spoke to both Judah and Israel. Written sometime between 739 BC and 686 BC (the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah). His purpose in writing was to warn God’s people of coming judgment for sin and to offer hope, based upon the mercy of God.

His Book starts with the last words of another prophet, “Micaiah the son of Imlah” (1 Kings 22:28): “Hearken, O people, every one of you.”

The Book of Micah consists of three sections, each starting with a rebuke, “Hear ye,” and closing with a promise.

• #1 Micah chapters 1-2; Micah Warns Samaria and Jerusalem 
• #2 Micah chapters 3-5, particularly speaks to the princes and heads of the people; Evil Rulers Are Contrasted With the Promised One  
• #3 Micah chapters 6-7, in which the Lord is represented as holding a controversy with His people. God's anger will flare, then subside  

The Book in whole ends with a song of triumph at the great deliverance which the Lord will achieve for His people. The closing verse is quoted in the song of Zacharias (Luke 1:72-73). The prediction regarding the place “where Christ should be born,” is one of the most remarkable of Messianic prophecies (Micah 5:2), is quoted in Mat.2:6.

The following references to this book in the New Testament are: Micah 5:2, Mat.2:6; John 7:42. . . . Micah 7:6, Mat.10:21, 35-36. . . . Micah 7:20, Luke 1:72-73.

Micah wrote to both kingdoms: North (Israel) and South (Judah). He was striving to expose sin, stating that God’s justice is required, but mercy is offered to those of humble and repentant hearts. Key words throughout the Book are judgment and mercy.

Key verses:

• #1 The definition of TRUE religion, Micah 6:8.
• #2 The birthplace of Christ announced, Micah 5:2.
• #3 How God disposes of the sins of believers, Micah 7:18-19.

SUMMARY

I. General Divisions.

• #1 Mainly threatenings of coming judgments, Micah 1-3.
• #2 Prophetic promises of deliverance, Micah 4-5.
• #3 Mainly exhortations and confessions of national sins coupled with promises of restoration, Micah 6-7.

II. Particular Sins Condemned.

• #1 Idolatry, Micah 1:7; 5:13.
• #2 Evil plans and devices, Micah 2:1.
• #3 Covetousness, Micah 2:2.
• #4 Greed of princes, prophets, and priests, Micah 3:2-11.
• #5 Witchcraft, Micah 5:12.
• #6 Dishonesty, Micah 6:10-12.
• #7 Universal corruption, Micah 7:2-4.
• #8 Treachery, Micah 7:5-6.

III. Future Hopes.

• #1 The establishment of a righteous kingdom, Micah 4:1-8.
• #2 The coming of a Messianic King, Micah 5:2.
• #3 The reformation and restoration of the nation, Micah 7:7-17.
• #4 The complete triumph of divine grace, Micah 7:18-20.

MICAH’S CHARGES OF INJUSTICE

Micah boldly charged the people with many kinds of injustice, so much like that of today!

Plotting evil . . . Micah 2:1.
Fraud, coveting, violence . . . Micah 2:2.
Stealing, dishonesty . . . Micah 2:8.
Driving widows from their homes . . . Micah 2:9.
Hating good, loving evil . . . Micah 3:1-2.
Despising justice, distorting what is right . . . Micah 3:9.
Murder . . . Micah 3:10.
Taking bribes . . . Micah 3:11.

King Ahaz had participated in gross idolatrous abominations; setting up pagan idols in the Holy Temple, sacrificing his own son to idols, he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree, took the vessels of the Temple, and cut them in pieces, made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem, and finally nailed the Temple door shut (2 Kings 16:3-4; 2 Chron. 28:2-4, 22-25).

When Hezekiah became king, the nation began a slow road to recovery and economic strength. Hezekiah probably heeded much of Micah’s advice.

Micah’s main message was predicting the fall of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This was God’s discipline upon the people. He actually was showing how much He cared for them. King Hezekiah’s good reign helped postpone Judah’s punishment.

The importance of Micah’s message was: choosing to live a life apart from God is simply making a commitment to sin, and sin always leads to God’s wrath, God's judgment and eternal death. Only when we make a personal commitment to God, will He show us the way to eternal peace. His discipline often keeps us on the right path.

Contemporary prophets were Hosea (753-715) Isaiah (740-681).

Book of Micah

Ch1 . Ch2 . Ch3 . Ch4 . Ch5 . Ch6 . Ch7

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