Micah means "who is like JHVH (LORD."

AUTHOR: Micah is a Judean peasant farmer and prophet (1:1). He was a native of Moresheth, a village of Gath in Philistine territory, about seventeen miles southwest of Jerusalem. He is sometimes called the "Prophet of the Poor" and may have belonged to the peasant class. Today we would call him "a country or village preacher," as opposed to Isaiah who is a "city preacher" in the king's court. He is a striking person with strong convictions and a degree of courage. He manifests great sympathy and genuine concern for the poor and the oppressed. He has been called, "Micah the Democrat." He is a keen observer of nature which is manifested in a farmer's instincts for cold facts. He was unusually plain and forward. He has a dislike for cities. He felt keenly the wrongs and sufferings inflicted on the common people. He has a burning passion for justice, right dealing, and holy living possessed him. Micah feels the pain in the cry of his oppressed neighbors. He was not a politician.

DATE: B. C. 751-687. Micah prophesied to Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea.

PURPOSE: Micah announces the certainty of Judah's captivity and restoration, emphasizing the authority of JHVH. Micah preached to the common people of Judah.

The major sections of the book are introduced with the word "Hear" or "Listen" (1:2; 3:1; 6:1).

THEME: Obedience

KEY VERSE: 6:8

STYLE: George Robinson says, "Vividness and emphasis, lightning flashes of indignation at social wrongs, rapid transitions form threatening to mercy, vehement emotion and sympathetic tenderness, rhetorical force, cadence and rhythm at times elevated and sublime--these are among the prophet's outstanding literary characteristics." He makes a striking use of puns. All scholars agree that this prophet used excellent Hebrew. His thought is expressed in more or less homiletical fashion. He uses more glaring colors and greater detail than Isaiah. At times Micah exhibits an almost savage vindictiveness.

PREDICTIONS OF MICAH: (1) Destruction of Samaria was fulfilled in B. C. 722. (2) Destruction of Jerusalem was fulfilled in B. C. 586. (3) Babylonian captivity of Judah was fulfilled in B. C. 605-536. (4) Return of Judah from Babylonian Exile was fulfilled in B. C. 535. (5) Birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem fulfilled with the birth of Christ. (6) Coming of universal peace will be fulfilled when Jesus returns at His Second Coming.

MESSIANIC: 5:2-9 predicts the birthday of the future Messianic Ruler of Israel who shall come from Bethlehem of Judah. It was taken literally by those living just before our Lord's advent. This was literally fulfilled as seen in Matthew 3:1-11. Micah predicts the coming of King Messiah (2:12, 13). Christ is seen reigning in righteousness over the whole earth (4:1, 7).

The book has a reoccurring couplet of "judgment" and "promise" running within all three divisions.

Title: Introduction to Micah

Series: Introduction to Bible Books