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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

There are seven men mentioned in Scripture by the name of Micah, only one of which was a prophet–Micah the Morasthite who is mentioned in Jeremiah 26:18 and also in this book of prophesy which goes by his name.

The name Micah means “Who is like Jehovah.”

Micah is believed to have prophesied during the reigns of Jothan, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

He was a younger contemporary of Hosea. and also a contemporary of Isaiah.

He is called “the Morasthite” because he was a native of Moresheth near Gath, about 20-25 miles southwest of Jerusalem.

His prophecy was both to the people of Israel and to the people of Judah.

Micah was not a politician in any sense of the word. What I mean by that is that he was not like the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah called the kings of Judah to task for their habit of looking to Egypt for help and called the kings of Israel to task for their habit of looking to Assyria for help.

Micah, on the other hand, denounced the depravity of the nation, and prophesied the vengeance of God if they failed to repent.

Isaiah prophesied to royalty, but Micah prophesied mostly to the common people. Isaiah frequented the courts of kings, but Micah was a simple, unsophisticated country boy from an obscure town.

The political situation during Micah’s prophecy is described in 2 Kings 15-20 and 2 Kings 26-30.

King Ahaz had set up pagan idols in the Temple and finally he just nailed the Temple doors shut.

Four different nations harassed Judah. When Hezekiah became king, the nation began a slow road to recovery and economic strength.

It is believed by many scholars, based on Micah’s hometown, that he was more than likely a poor farmer, which helps account for his identification with the common people–because he was one.

Micah stands out as a preacher who stood with the poor and oppressed. He regarded selfish luxury and the oppression of the poor as the crowning sins of Judah. The people were being heavily taxed because the Assyrians were demanding large payments of tribute to satisfy their lavishness.

Zion was built up with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity. (Micah 3:10)

Because of such demands from the poor and because of the idolatry going on, Micah was called and empowered to declare the judgment of God. (Micah 3:8)

Micah was a man of strong convictions and a man of courage, and as a true preacher, he uncovered sin and pointed to the coming Messiah.

As a prophet, he went against the stream of many of the prophets of his time and uttered truths the people did not want to hear.

For this he was stoned–which was the usual lot of a faithful prophet.

The key verse is Micah 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?”

Lets examine His prophecy tonight.

I.         MICAH’S MESSAGE.

Micah predicted the fall of both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This was God’s discipline upon the people, actually showing how much he cared for them. God loved his people too much to leave them alone in their sin.

            A.        Back To Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)

                        In other words, back to the Messianic hope.

Back to David, who did so much for the nation, and to whom God promised He would raise up the Messiah.

                        Back to David, who had been the constant ideal of the monarchy or kingship.

The Messiah of Israel’s coming golden age (The Millennium) would be like David in many ways.

            B.        Back To Ethical Righteousness. (Micah 6:8)

Micah brushed aside all former ritual in favor of a righteousness given by God and that had a heart for the need of others.

                        It was a righteousness based upon God’s salvation.

            C.        Back To The Prince Of Peace. (Micah 4:1-3; 5:2-7)

Micah preached a message that the reign of the Messiah was Israel’s only true hope of peace. We know it will be the only hope of world peace.

                        The Messianic predictions form the most significant passages in Micah.

II.       MICAH’S LEGACY. (JEREMIAH 26:18)

The most outstanding incident in Micah’s prophetic career was his preaching which led to the reformation under Hezekiah.

When King Hezekiah and the people repented, God turned from the fierceness of His anger. Hezekiah’s good reign helped postpone Judah’s punishment.

III.      MICAH’S POWER. (MICAH 3:8)

Micah was chosen as God’s messenger to the people, and the secret of his power was the fullness of the Holy Spirit in his life.

            This book that Micah penned is characterized by deep spirituality, with a simple style.

III.      MICAH’S BOLDNESS. (MICAH 1:2; 3:1; 6:1)

Sin and corruption, the sighing and agony of the people over the misrule of men in authority, and the insistence on return to God, were all dealt with in no uncertain terms.

There are three parts to Micah’s prophecy each beginning with an admonition to hear and closing with a promise.

            A1.      The First Admonition. (Micah 1:2)

            A2.      The First Promise. (Micah 2:12-13)

                        Micah’s prophecy focuses here on two great events–

                        1.         Judah’s return from captivity in Babylon.

                        2.         The great gathering of all believers when the Messiah returns.

God gave his prophets visions of various future events, but not necessarily the ability to discern when these events would happen.

For example, they could not see the long period of time between the Babylonian captivity and the coming of the Messiah, but they could clearly see that the Messiah was coming.

We need to keep in mind that the purpose of this prophecy was not to predict exactly how this would occur, but that it would.

                        This gave the people hope and helped them to turn from their sin.

            B1.      The Second Admonition. (Micah 3:1)

                        The leadership of the house of Israel was faltering. 

            B2.      The Second Promise. (Micah 5:10-15)

When God rules in his eternal Kingdom, our strength will not be found in military might but in God’s almighty power.

                        He will destroy all the weapons that people use for security.

There will be no need for armies, because God will rule.

Our hearts should not be ruled by fear of invasion or nuclear attack. Our confidence should be in God.

            C1.      The Third Admonition. (Micah 6:1-2)

We see here that Micah pictures a courtroom. God called to the mountains to confirm the people’s guilt.

The mountains would serve as excellent witnesses, for it was in the “high places’ that the people had built pagan altars and sacrificed to false gods.

            C2.      The Third Promise. (Micah 7:19-20)

Conclusion

So we could outline this book as follows:

1.         The Trial Of The Capitals – Chapters 1-2

            Jerusalem and Samaria.

2.         The Trial Of The Leaders – Chapters 3-5

            The heads or princes of Israel and Judah.

3.         The Trial Of The People – Chapters 6-7

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