The MAJOR & MINOR Prophets - The 16 Writing Prophets Of The Hebrew Canon

´+H KDV VKRZQ \RX 2 PDQ ZKDW LV JRRG DQG ZKDW GRHV WKH /25' UHTXLUH RI \RX but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? µ

Baxter comments on chapter 6:1- ´0LFDK·V DXJXVW GHFODUDWLRQ DV WR WKH true essence of religion. µ A great scholar (that Baxter did not identify) has said of Micah vs. 1-8: ´ These few verses in which Micah sets forth the true essence of religion may raise a well-founded title to be counted as the most important in the prophetic literature. µ 8 Hobart Freeman points out: ´1R SURSKHW RI WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW H[FHHGV 0LFDK LQ WKH proportion of predictions res SHFWLQJ ,VUDHO·V IXWXUH DQG WKH DGYHQW RI WKH 0HVVLDK DQG +LV kingdom. µ +H PHQWLRQV the following predictions: 1. The fall of Samaria in 722 B. C. (1:6-7) 2. The invasion of Judah by Sennacherib (1:9-16) 3. The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 586 B. C. (3:12; 7:13) 4. The exile in Babylon (4:10) 5. The return from captivity and the future peace and supremacy of Israel (4:1-8, 13; 7:11, 14 17) 6. The birth of the Messianic King in Bethlehem (5:2) 9 Overview of the Book The ordinary reader may find this book not too exciting or intelligible. This is partly true because of translation difficulties, but be patient and your diligence will yield a rich reward. Many will testify that it is one of the most rewarding books when clearly understood. There are basically three ways to outline the book: 1. By Literary Form: Some teachers feel that Micah is made up of three DGGUHVVHV HDFK LQWURGXFHG E\ WKH ZRUG ´+HDUµ 10 2. By Subject Matter: This approach also uses a threefold approach, dividing the content up by: Chapters 1-3 (Judgment), Chapters 4-5 (Restoration) and Chapters 6-7 (Repentance). The Book does not have precise subject divisions. 3. By Personal Choice: My outline is given below, composed after reading the text many times ² and comparing it with ten other commentaries (no two alike!). Micah exposes the injustice of Judah and the righteousness and justice of Yahweh. About one third of the book indicts Israel and Judah for specific sins, including oppression; bribery among judges, prophets, and priests; exploitation of the powerless; covetousness; cheating; violence; and pride. Another third of Micah predicts the judgment that will come as a result of those sins. The 8 Baxter ǡ Dz Š‡ ‘‘ ‘ˆ ‹ ƒŠǡdz ’’Ǥ ͳͻ͵ -194. 9 Hobart E. Freeman, An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets, p. 217. 10 Leon J. Wood suggests ³6RPH FRPPHQWDWRUV have thought of these sections as three unit messages, but it is more OLNHO\ WKDW WKH\ DUH FRPSLODWLRQV RI WKRXJKWV VSRNHQ DW YDULRXV WLPHV LQ 0LFDK¶V SXEOLF PLQLVWU\ ´ The Prophets of Israel, p.311. My New Open Bible Study Edition gives this general overview of the text:

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