Sunday

Reading Through The Bible - MICAH







Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long and this one is another quite small book and it only takes 18 mins to read it according to Crossway and their lovely barchart









MICAH  -  OLD TESTAMENT  -  PROPHECY

33rd book of the OT 
33rd book of the Bible




How Does it Start?

It starts right away in the first verse with the declaration that this is the Word of the Lord.  

It then sets the time frame by naming the ruling kings of the period and specifies Micah as the prophet this Word is given through.
 
"The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem."





What is it?

The Book of MICAH is one of the MINOR PROPHETS in the Old Testament which means it is a book of Prophecy.




How Long is it?

It has 7 chapters.

No other single book of the bible has 7 chapters but if you combine the 3 letters of John you would have a section with 7 chapters.




When was it Written?

It was written between 735 & 710 BC




Who Wrote it?


The prophet Micah who came from Moresheth also known as Moresheth-Gath which was a town of the tribe of Judah in ancient Israel.

 


Who was it Written to?

It was written to the people of Samaria & Israel as stated in verse 1
 
"The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem."


 

Why was it Written? 

It was written to express to the Israelites how they were not living righteously and to remind them that God had told them the right way to live with respect to God and others.

But it was also to tell them of the great blessing Bethlehem would be in the future as the birthplace of the Messiah in chapter 5 v 2

"“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”"




The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Micah confronts the leaders of Israel and Judah regarding their injustice, and prophecies that one day the Lord himself will rule in perfect justice."  


Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Micah prophesied during the tragic and historic years surrounding the Assyrian invasion of the Northern Kingdom.  Micah predicted the event in Micah 1 v 6 and it came to pass between 10 and 15 years later in 722 BC"  


"Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of ruins in the field,
Places for planting a vineyard;
I will pour down her stones into the valley,
And I will uncover her foundations."






What is it normally well-known for?

This book is about justice and injustice and personally I feel that wonderful verse in chapter 6 sums it all up as to how a Christian should live.

  • Act Justly to others
  • Be Merciful to others
  • Walk Humbly with God




However God also states throughout this book that He will

  • Rule Justly 
  • Show Mercy
  • Lead the people in His ways





How does it end?


With Israel's confession of sin 
and 
the forgiveness of God
in chapter 7 v 18-19.

"Who is a God like You,
Pardoning iniquity
And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us,
And will subdue our iniquities."

which finishes with those reassuring words 

"You will cast all our sins
Into the depths of the sea."



 

The Overview Bible  gives us this


Quick outline of Micah

  1. Israel’s injustice (Mic 1–3)
  2. The Lord’s promise to rule Israel with justice (Mic 4–5)
  3. The Lord’s expectations and judgment (Mic 6)
  4. The Lord’s compassion and everlasting love (Mic 7)









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