READ IT! - Introduction to Micah 1-4

Introduction to Micah 1-4

Background of the Book of Micah 

The name Micah is actually a shorter version of the name Micaiah, which means “who is like Yahweh?” Micah’s hometown was Moresheth, which is about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The general consensus of scholars is that Micah ministered between 742 and 687 B.C., during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Some scholars argue that Micah’s ministry was strictly during the reign of Hezekiah. 

Biblical References 

Micah 1:1 - “The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah – the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.”

Jeremiah 26:18 - “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 

Political and Historical Setting 

Judah was in a divided state. Pro-Egyptian and pro-Assyrian parties vied for the attention of Hezekiah. The citizens of Judah were corrupt. 

Micah’s message 

He attacks the ruthless expropriation of the peasant farmer, the dishonesty in the judges and the ruling classes, the idolatry, sapping morale and destroying morality, and the debasement of the priesthood.

He shapes his meaning to address all the current corruption, as well as the false confidence of the people in God’s protection of Judah. 

Extra-Biblical Resources 

Very little known about the prophet Micah. One hypothesis to who the author(s) is(are) is that the first three chapters were definitely written by Micah himself, but most of chapters four through seven were written by another source. 

Micah 1 

The book starts off by saying the LORD came to Micah who had a vision concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah starts warning the people that the LORD will bear witness against them. Micah explains that God is coming down because of the sins of Samaria and Israel. Micah explains that the LORD will make Samaria a “heap of rubble.” Micah weeps and mourns for Samaria. Samaria’s plague of sin is considered “incurable” by Micah and is spreading to Judah and Jerusalem. Micah explains to the people that they need to mourn as well. 

Micah 2 

Micah feels sorry for the people who plan evil and carry out on it. The LORD plans disaster for those people. Those people will no longer walk proudly. They will be ridiculed and the possessions of God’s people will be divided and He will “assign their field to traitors.” Micah explains how false prophets “steal the robe” without care from those who pass by. These prophets drive the women away from their homes. They take away blessings from the children forever. Micah commands them to go away because they have ruined the place in which his people reside.

But the LORD promises deliverance. The LORD says that He will gather all of the people of Jacob and He will bring together the remnant of Israel. He will bring them together “like sheep in a pen, like flock in a pasture.” “The One” who breaks open the way will go up before them. “Their King will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.” 

Micah 3 

Micah says to the “heads” and “judges” of Jacob and Israel that they will receive justice for hating good, loving evil, and destroying Micah’s people. Those people will then call out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. The LORD says to false prophets who have led people astray for their own benefits that they will be ashamed and disgraced. They will cover their faces because there is no answer from God. Micah then says that because of false leaders, Zion will be “plowed like a field,” Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,” and the Temple Mount will become “overgrown with thickets.” 

Micah 4 

Micah then describes The Mountain of the LORD:

"In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say,
'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.'
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
-- Micah 4:1-2