Bible Study: The Prophet Micah - Justice, Mercy, and Humility
Introduction:
• Micah, a prophet from humble origins, spoke powerfully against the social injustices and spiritual corruption of his time.
• His message emphasizes God's concern for the oppressed and His call for justice, mercy, and humility.
• We'll explore Micah's background, his prophetic message, and its relevance for us today.
- Micah and Joel were probably contemporary with Isaiah and preached to both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, where 3 main things occurred:
- Invasion of the North/East, by Tiglath-Pileser between 745-734 BC;
- Invasion of Samaria by Sargon and Salmoneser, in 724-722 BC;
- Failed invasion attempt of Judah (south) and West by Sennacherib, between 714-701 BC
I. Micah: The Prophet of Justice:
• Name Significance:
◦ Micah (מִיכָה, Mikah) means "Who is like the Lord?"
• Background:
◦ He was a Morasthite, from the city of Moresheth-gath (35 km southwest of Jerusalem).
◦ He likely came from a humble, rural background, which influenced his concern for the oppressed.
• Contemporary Prophets:
◦ He was a contemporary of Isaiah, and both prophesied during a time of widespread corruption, similar to the periods of Jonah, Amos, and Hosea.
• Prophetic Ministry:
◦ His ministry spanned from approximately 727 to 710 BC.
◦ He prophesied to both the Southern (Judah) and Northern (Israel) Kingdoms.
• New Testament References:
◦ Jeremiah later referenced Micah (Jeremiah 26:18).
◦ Jesus also referenced Micah (Matthew 10:35-36).
• Social Advocacy:
◦ He protested against the rich oppressors of the people.
◦ He denounced bribery and the abuse of power.
◦ He is called “the James of the Old Testament” due to his defense of the poor and his emphasis on practical righteousness.
II. The Message of Micah:
• Central Theme:
◦ God's demand for justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8).
◦ Micah 6:8 is the core of the law.
• Purposes of the Book:
◦ To emphasize God's coming wrath on the nation for its sins.
◦ To remind the people of the Messiah's coming reign of justice and truth, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant.
• Sins Denounced:
◦ Greed and oppression (Micah 2:2).
◦ Violence (Micah 2:12, 3:10, 6:12, 7:2).
◦ False prophecy (Micah 2:6, 11).
◦ Corrupt leaders (Micah 3:1-3).
◦ Corrupt prophets (Micah 3:5-7).
◦ Corrupt priests (Micah 3:11).
◦ Bribery (Micah 3:9, 11, 7:3).
◦ Dishonesty (Micah 6:10, 11).
◦ Idolatry.
III. Peculiarities and Key Insights:
• "Remnant" Theology:
◦ Micah frequently uses the term "remnant" to refer to the faithful few God preserves.
• Messianic Prophecies:
◦ Precise prophecies about the Messiah:
▪ Birthplace in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
▪ Messiah as King (Micah 2:12-13).
▪ Messiah's righteous reign (Micah 4:1, 7).
• Divine Empowerment:
◦ Micah declares his full empowerment by the Spirit of the Lord.
◦ He speaks with authority and conviction.
• Legal Terminology:
◦ Micah frequently uses legal terms, reflecting God's justice and the need for accountability.
IV. Micah 6:8: The Heart of God's Requirements:
• "He has shown you, O man, what is good."
◦ God reveals His standards of righteousness.
• "What does the Lord require of you?"
◦ God's expectations are clear and attainable.
• "To do justice."
◦ Upholding fairness, equity, and righteousness.
• "To love mercy."
◦ Showing compassion, kindness, and forgiveness.
• "To walk humbly with your God."
◦ Living in submission and reverence before God.
V. Application:
• Social Justice:
◦ How does Micah's message challenge us to address social injustices in our communities?
◦ How can we advocate for the oppressed and marginalized?
• Integrity and Honesty:
◦ How can we live with integrity and honesty in our daily lives?
◦ How can we avoid the corrupt practices that Micah denounced?
• Humility and Mercy:
◦ How can we cultivate humility and mercy in our relationships?
◦ How can we reflect God's compassion to others?
• Messianic Hope:
◦ How does Micah's prophecy of the Messiah's birthplace strengthen our faith in Jesus?
◦ How does the messianic hope impact our lives?
• Micah 6:8 in our lives:
◦ How can we practically apply Micah 6:8 to our lives?
◦ How does this verse summarize the Christian walk?
Book Outline
Chaps. 1-3 - God's judgments against Israel and Judah.
Chapters 4,5 - Comfort and hope offered. Prophecies of Christ and His spiritual (first coming) and bodily (second coming) kingdom.
Chs. 6,7 - Salvation shown in a dialogue between God and His people, complete with the repentance of sinful people and God's mercy.
- Bible Study: The Prophet Amos - A Call to Justice
- Bible Study: The Prophet Hosea - God's Unconditional Love
- Bible Study: The Prophet Isaiah - The Prince of Prophets
Conclusion:
• Micah's prophecy is a powerful call to live justly, mercifully, and humbly before God.
• His message reminds us of God's concern for the oppressed and His desire for a righteous society.
• By studying Micah, we gain a deeper understanding of God's heart and His expectations for His people.
