THE BOOK OF MICAH
OUTLINE
THEME: The sin, punishment and restoration of Israel.
MESSAGE: God hates and will punish all forms of injustice. He wants righteousness and not ritualism. Purified by suffering, the people will be restored.
ANALYSIS:
1. The punishment to come over Judah and Israel, for various sins (Chapters 1 to 3) :
-
idolatry, oppression, greed -1, 2
-
wickedness of leaders, covetousness of the prophets - 3
2. The Kingdom of the Messiah"in the last days." (Chapters 4-5)
-
Jerusalem will reign over the peoples, wars will cease, Israel will be restored after the tribulation - 4
-
The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem; He will be hurt; He will deliver His people, and these in triumph will be purified - 5
3. The contention of God with the people - (Chapters 6-7):
-
God saved them from Egypt; He does not require heavy rites or sacrifice, but righteousness of character; idolatry, violence and deception, shall be punished - 6
-
Micah confesses and laments the sins of the people; admits the justice
of their punishment, but rejoices in their restoration; song of praise to God - 7
COMMENTS
We know nothing about Micah save what he says in 1.1; see also Jeremiah 26.16-19. He was from Judah, and a contemporary of Isaiah. His name means "Who is like Jehovah?", and his book claims the holiness, justice and compassion of God.
The book is telltale (chapters 1-3) and also comforting (chapter 4-7). It contains remarkable prophecies concerning the Messiah and His kingdom. It is mentioned in Jeremiah 26:18, Matthew 2:5-6; 10.35-36.
Among the most sublime passages are: 6:6-8; 7:7-9, 18-20.