Micah
Judgment on corrupt leaders, a ruler promised from Bethlehem, and what the LORD requires of you
Micah at a glance
Judgment on corrupt leaders, a ruler promised from Bethlehem, and what the LORD requires of you
Micah records the prophecies of Micah the Morasthite, from the town of Moresheth in the lowlands of Judah, who prophesied in the days of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, making him a contemporary of Isaiah. His word concerned both capitals, Samaria and Jerusalem. Among the Minor Prophets, Micah stands out for pairing fierce judgment on social injustice with some of the Old Testament's most beloved promises. Jeremiah 26:18 later cites Micah's prophecy as the preaching that moved Hezekiah to seek the LORD.
The book alternates between judgment and hope in three cycles. Micah condemns those who covet fields and seize them, princes who abhor judgment, priests who teach for hire, and prophets who divine for money, warning that Zion will be plowed as a field. Yet he also sees the mountain of the LORD's house established above the hills, swords beaten into plowshares, and a ruler in Israel coming out of little Bethlehem Ephratah, whose goings forth are from everlasting. The closing chapter marvels at a God who pardons iniquity and delights in mercy.
Micah matters for its balance of justice and grace. Its summary of true religion, to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, remains one of Scripture's clearest statements of what God requires, and its Bethlehem prophecy is quoted in Matthew 2 as pointing to the birthplace of Christ.
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2 King James Version
Explore Micah
How Micah unfolds
6 sections- 1Judgment on Samaria and Judah (ch. 1-2)The LORD comes down in judgment; Samaria will become a heap, and the wound reaches to Jerusalem. Woe is pronounced on those who devise iniquity and seize fields and houses, yet a remnant will be gathered.
- 2Corrupt leaders condemned (ch. 3)Rulers who hate good and love evil, prophets who make the people err, and priests who teach for hire are denounced. Because of them Zion shall be plowed as a field and Jerusalem become heaps.
- 3The mountain of the LORD and the remnant (ch. 4)In the last days the mountain of the LORD's house is exalted, nations flow to it, and swords are beaten into plowshares. The daughter of Zion will go to Babylon but be redeemed.
- 4The ruler from Bethlehem (ch. 5)Out of Bethlehem Ephratah, little among the thousands of Judah, comes forth a ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. He shall stand and feed his flock, and be the peace.
- 5The LORD's controversy: what He requires (ch. 6)The LORD pleads His case against His people, recalling His deliverance from Egypt. Not thousands of rams but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God is what He requires; dishonest gain is condemned.
- 6Misery turned to mercy (ch. 7)Micah laments a society where the good man has perished, then looks to the LORD, who will bring him to the light. The book ends praising the God who pardons iniquity and casts sins into the depths of the sea.
People to know
4 figures- MicahThe Morasthite prophet from Moresheth in Judah who prophesied against Samaria and Jerusalem.
- Jotham, Ahaz, and HezekiahThe kings of Judah during whose reigns Micah prophesied.
- The corrupt rulers, priests, and prophetsLeaders who judge for reward, teach for hire, and divine for money, bringing judgment on Zion.
- The ruler from BethlehemThe promised governor of Israel whose goings forth are from everlasting, quoted in Matthew 2 of Christ.
Words worth carrying with you
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2 · KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Micah 6:8 · KJV
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Micah 7:18 · KJV
Think you know Micah?
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Bible Quiz: Micah - Do Justly, Love Mercy | 30 Questions
Hard Micah Bible Quiz - Can You Score 30/30?