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CHAPTER 33 – Micah: Approx. 739 B.C.-Eden Restored

Micah is the thirty-third book of the Bible. The title of the book in the Hebrew Bible is Mikayehu meaning “Who is like Yahweh?” The English title comes from Jerome’s Latin Vulgate which has the title Micha, “Micah”.

Authorship

The prophet Micah is the author of the book of Micah. The book was perhaps written during his prophetic ministry which lasted from approximately 739 B.C. to 700 B.C.

Summary

The book of Micah covers the period from approximately 739 B.C. to the future time when God creates a new heaven and a new earth, and the entire earth is restored to the beauty of the garden of Eden.

Micah opens his book by stating that God spoke to him regarding Samaria and Jerusalem during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and Jerusalem was the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah.) Micah then states that God will punish both Samaria and Jerusalem for their idolatry.

Next, he says the people are characterised by their evil plans and devices, covetousness, and violence. Therefore, God says He will devise evil against the wicked which they shall not be able to escape.

But God would gather all the remnant of the people who had not gone the way of evil and they would become a great multitude. In the future, this multitude would follow God, their King, who would lead them.

Micah then states that the leaders and princes were, figuratively, eating the flesh of the people and skinning them alive. Moreover, there were false prophets, dishonest judges, and mercenary priests. Therefore, God will destroy Zion (Jerusalem) and the mountain of the house (the Temple).

Next, Micah says that, in the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established and be exalted, people shall flow into it, and many nations shall come to it. The nations shall learn war no more and none shall make them afraid for they will walk in the name of the Lord their God.

God will then reign over His people in mount Zion forever and the original dominion over the earth will come back to God and His people. That is, though many nations will gather against them, God will give His people victory over all their enemies.

Micah then states that he that is to be ruler in Israel and whose going forth has been from everlasting will be born in Bethlehem Ephratah. Then the remnant of God’s people will be in the midst of many people as the dew and as showers that give life to the grass.

After this, Micah states that God’s people will be victorious over their adversaries. For God will cut off His people’s horses, chariots, strongholds, witchcrafts, and idols, and God Himself will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the other nations.

Next, Micah says that God has a controversy with His people because of their ingratitude to Him. Micah then asks the people if God will be pleased with their offerings, even of the sacrifice of their firstborn, for their sin. Micah answers his own question by saying that God had showed them what is good and what God requires—to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.

God next condemns the people for their dishonesty, violence, deceit, and pronounces judgment upon them for these sins. Micah laments at the wickedness of the people and vows to look to God and wait for God’s salvation for God will hear him, Micah. After this, Micah says that God will give him victory over his enemies and the land shall be desolate because of the evil deeds of the people that dwell in it.

Micah then asks God to prosper His people as in the days of old. In response, God promises to show His people marvellous things according to the days of their coming out of Egypt. The nations shall see it and be confounded at the might of God’s people and be afraid of God.

Lastly, Micah praises God for pardoning sins, for not retaining His anger forever, and for delighting in mercy. Micah then says that God will have compassion on His people, God will subdue their wickedness, and cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Moreover, God will perform His promises which He had made to Jacob and Abraham, the forefathers of His people from the days of old.

Themes

• The wickedness of leaders, prophets, judges, priests, and common people.
• God’s remnant people who obey God’s law of love.
• Judgment for sins.
• The coming of God’s everlasting kingdom and the peace that it brings.
• The coming birth of a Ruler in Israel.
• The conversion of many people to God.
• The victory of God’s people over their enemies.
• Praise to God.

God as Revealed in the Book

• God who has a remnant people on earth who have not turned to evil.
• God who will bring in His everlasting kingdom on earth.
• God who will bring about the conversion of many people to Himself.
• God who gives His people victory over their enemies.

Connections with the Rest of the Bible

Micah was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah and Hosea in that his prophetic ministry (739 B.C to 700 B.C.) overlapped those of Isaiah (745 B.C. to 685 B.C.) and of Hosea (753 B.C. to 729 B.C.).

In the course of time it happened that “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused [future] wife, being great with child [being pregnant].” Luke 2:4, 5.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son.” Luke 2:6, 7. So, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. And there came a time when “he [Christ] said unto them [His disciples], Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature [every person].” Mark 16:15. So, Christ’s disciples are to be evangelists, that is, “labourers together with God [for the conversion of the world to God].” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Spiritual Applications

Pray to God sincerely and ask God to help you to do His will, believing that God will help you, and thus you will be enabled to make the spiritual applications noted below:

• Do “not follow a multitude to do evil.” Exodus 23:2.
• Be part of God’s remnant people, who alone will be saved by God to eternal life.
• Do not sit idly by and wait for God to convert the world to Himself. Instead, “do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of [entirely accomplish] thy [God-given] ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5.

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