Micah, whose name means "Who is like the Lord (Yahweh)," was a native of a little town in the kingdom of Judah. He was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah and Hosea.
1. The judgement of God. God is pictured coming down from heaven,
treading upon the mountains to destroy Samaria for her persistent idolatry. Micah pictures
the approach of the invading army, coming from the coastal plain through the hills of
Judah to Jerusalem. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians destroyed Samaria. In 701 B.C. they besieged
Jerusalem and the city escaped by a miracle. Micah probably lived through both. Micah
1:1-16.
2. The injustices of the Israelites. The men with power are all on the make, and they are
not fussy about the means. So property is seized and families made destitute; and the
preacher is told this is none of his business. Every man has his price: judge and priest
and prophet alike. Micah 2:1-13 & 3:1-12.
3. The restoration of the people. Micah is full of contrasts. Verses 1-8 sweep us on to a
new Jerusalem, from which God’s word goes out to all men, and to which nations flock
in an era of peace and plenty. Verses 9-10 return us to the condemned city, to a nation in
exile, to God’s judgement: not on his people alone, but on all the nations around.
Micah 4:1-13.
4. The king from Bethlehem. In the midst of the Assyrian seige, Micah speaks of a
deliverer - the ultimate deliverer - who would come, like David of old, from Bethlehem.
Micah 5:1-15.
5. The voice of the Lord. The essence of true worship is "to act justly and to love
mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Though men may try to buy him off with all
kinds of impressive gifts, he sees and will punish their sharp practices, their violence
and deceit. Micah 6:1-16.
6. The voice of the people. Micah watches the breakdown of society in his country. The rot
which began at government level has permeated the whole nation. And now all human
relationships are crumbling. Friendship and family count for nothing. But with God there
is still light. He may still be relied on. His promise will not fail. In his compassionate
love he will forgive again. Micah 7:1-20.