The Strand Study Bible

MICAH

Author : Micah Theme : Chastened But Not Forsaken (The promise of Israel’s restoration) Book’s Main Character : Micah (and the whole house of Israel)

About the Author : Micah was a prophet to both Judah (Jerusalem) and Israel (Samaria). He lived and ministered in Moresheth- Gath and began his ministry around 747 BC, just four years after King Uzziah’s death in 751 BC (II Ki 15:5-7). He prophesied during the reign of three Judean kings: Jotham , Ahaz , and Hezekiah . Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah (in Judah) and of Jonah, Hosea, and Amos (in Israel). About the Book : Micah prophesied about the future fall of both Israel (1:6-7) and Judah (4:9-10). He revealed to Israel that she had crossed the line of God’s mercy and that chastisement was inevitable (1:9). Yet, Micah left Israel with the encouraging thought that God will never totally forsake them, no matter what their spiritual condition becomes (7:18-20). To this day, the nation of Israel is still God’s chosen people and nothing can ever change that. We, as Christians, can learn a valuable lesson from Micah’s message –as born-again believers, we are God’s spiritual children through faith in CHRIST and that no matter what our spiritual condition, God may chasten us (Heb 12:6), but He will never forsake us (Heb 13:5). Included also in Micah’s prophecy, are CHRIST’S birth, life, and Second Coming. The promise of Israel’s future restoration is also mentioned. The book of Micah covers 43 years (from approximately 747-704 BC). Helpful Background : Because of the prophet Joel’s successful ministry, under King Joash’s reign (c. 840 BC), God made sure that Judah saw some good years (spiritually) under some good kings: (Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah). Though they were not great kings, they were good enough to keep the nation basically on the right path for God. However, unlike Judah, Israel never experienced good leadership under any of her kings. Throughout her 249-year history (from 970-721 BC), Israel failed repeatedly to please the LORD. Notes of Interest : 1. Micah is quoted in the NT 3 times. 1 of those 3 quotes deal directly with CHRIST . 2. Prophecies are referred to 60 times in Micah . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 18 of those 60 times. 4. There is 1 map used in the book of Micah . It is numbered chronologically (#238). Outline of Micah :

1. The Reasons For Chastisement (Mic 1-3) 2. The Future Millennial Kingdom (Mic 4-5) 3. The Lord’s Complaint With Israel (Mic 6-7) Micah 1

What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

1. or, “LORD OF HOSTS” - Jere 26:18 2. II Ki 15:7-20:21 3. Note - Samaria was the capital of the ten northern tribes, called Israel. 4. Note - Jerusalem was the capital of the two southern tribes, called Judah. 5. Amos 4:13 6. Fulfilled - II Ki 17:6 & 18:10-11 (Fall of Israel) 7. or, “wages paid to harlots” 8. or, “jackals” 9. or, “ostriches” 10. that is, “Israel’s wickedness had even poisoned Judah”

A message of destruction for Israel and Judah (Note - Micah’s prophecy took place in the 1st year of King Jotham’s reign and the 2nd year of King Pekah’s reign) Date Written - c. 747 BC/AM 3253 1 The word of the 1 LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite 2 in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning 3 Samaria and 4 Jerusalem. 2 Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. 3 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, 5 and tread upon the high places of the earth. 4 And the mountains shall be molten un- der him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. 5 For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel.

The promise of Israel’s fall to Assyria (Fulfilled - II Ki 17:6 & 18:10-11 - 721 BC)

6 Therefore 6 I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof. P 7 6 And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the 7 hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot. P 8 Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wail- ing like the 8 dragons, and mourning as the 9 owls.

9 6 For her wound is incurable; for 10 it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem. P 1:1a This phrase ( that came to ) means that Micah is speaking for the LORD OF HOSTS here. This is why the “words” of the LORD OF HOSTS (starting with verse 6) are not in blue within the book of Micah. 1:1 b Micah’s name means “who is like Jehovah .” Micah is referred to 2 times in the NT (Mt 2:5 and Jn 6:45). 1:8 Micah would go stripped and naked as a sign to God’s people that an impending Assyrian invasion was coming. 1:9 By 747 BC, Israel’s sinfulness had become incurable . She was ordained to fall.

1401