About This Book
Micah prophesies during the same period as Isaiah, addressing both Israel and Judah, denouncing injustice and false religion while promising a future Davidic ruler who will bring peace. Micah comes from Moresheth, a small town, giving him perspective on how urban leaders' policies affect common people. He prophesies during reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, witnessing Assyria's conquest of Israel and threatening Judah. The book opens with God coming in judgment, causing mountains to melt and valleys to split, because of Jacob's transgression and Israel's sins.
Both capitals, Samaria and Jerusalem, are filled with idolatry and corruption. Micah particularly condemns leaders—prophets who lead people astray, promising peace to those who feed them but declaring war against those who don't; rulers who hate good and love evil, tearing the skin from people and flesh from their bones, perverting justice and building Zion with bloodshed. Wealthy landowners covet fields and seize them, oppressing families and their inheritance. Despite religious observances, their hands are filled with violence and their tongues with deceit.
Micah famously asks what God requires: burnt offerings? Thousands of rams? Rivers of oil? Sacrificing firstborn children?
The answer is simple yet profound: 'to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.' Ritual without righteousness is worthless. Micah prophesies Samaria's destruction, which occurred in 722 BC, and warns Jerusalem faces similar fate unless they repent. Yet interspersed with judgment are messianic promises: from Bethlehem Ephrathah will come a ruler whose origins are ancient, who will shepherd his flock in the Lord's strength. In the last days, nations will stream to the mountain of the Lord to learn His ways.
Swords will be beaten into plowshares, and nations will not train for war anymore. The book concludes with confidence in God's faithfulness to fulfill promises made to Abraham, pardoning sin and delighting in unfailing love.