Summary of the Book of Micah

Author:
The author of the Book of Micah was the Prophet Micah «The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. », (Micah 1:1).

Date of Writing:
The Book of Micah was likely written between 735 and 700 B.C.

Purpose of Writing:
The message of the Book of Micah comprises a blend of judgment and hope. On one hand, the prophecies declare judgment upon Israel for social evils, corrupt leadership, and idolatry. This judgment was anticipated to result in the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem. On the other hand, the book not only announces the restoration of the nation but also the transformation and exaltation of Israel and Jerusalem. The messages of hope and doom are not necessarily conflicting; restoration and transformation occur only after judgment.

Key Verses:

Micah 1:2, “Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it, that the Sovereign LORD may witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple.”

Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 7:18-19, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

ities into the depths of the sea.”

Brief Summary:
The prophet condemns the rulers, priests, and prophets of Israel who exploit and mislead the people. It is because of their deeds that Jerusalem will be destroyed. The prophet Micah proclaims the deliverance of the people who will go from Jerusalem to Babylon and concludes with an exhortation for Jerusalem to destroy the nations who have gathered against her. The ideal ruler would come from Bethlehem to defend the nation, and the prophet proclaims the triumph of the remnant of Jacob and foresees a day when Yahweh will purge the nation of idolatry and reliance on military might. The prophet sets forth a powerful and concise summary of Yahweh’s requirement for justice and loyalty and announces judgment upon those who have followed the ways of Omri and Ahab. The book closes with a prophetic liturgy comprising elements of a lament. Israel confesses its sin and is assured of deliverance through Yahweh’s mighty acts.

Foreshadowings:
Micah 5:2 is a Messianic prophecy quoted when the magi were searching for the king born in Bethlehem “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, Art not the least among the princes of Juda: For out of thee shall come a Governor, That shall rule my people Israel.”, (Matthew 2:6). These wise men from the East were told that from the tiny village of Bethlehem would come forth the Prince of Peace, the Light of the world. Micah’s message of sin, repentance, and restoration finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ who is the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:24-25) and the only way to God “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”, (John 14:6).

Practical Application:
God gives warnings so we will not have

To endure His wrath is a consequence. Punishment is inevitable if the cautions of God are disregarded and His solution for wrongdoing in the offering of His Son is declined. For the follower of Christ, God will correct us—not out of malice—but out of love. He understands that sin causes harm and He desires us to be complete. This completeness, which is the assurance of renewal, is ready for those who continue to obey Him.