“Aren’t You Supposed to Know What is Just?”
Micah was a younger contemporary of Amos and Hosea (in Israel) and Isaiah (in Judah) and was from the town of Moresheth-Gath in Judah. Interestingly, this town was near the fortress town of Lachish which was besieged by the Assyrian empire. He prophesied from approximately 740-690 BC, and his name means “Who is like Yahweh?”
His book seems to be broken into three major sections (chapters 1-2; 3-5; 6-7) each of which opens with a warning of judgment followed up with a promise of salvation. The first section tells of the judgment of Samaria and Jerusalem along with the corruptness of their leaders. However, at the end of chapter 2, Micah gives the promise of a restoration of a remnant. The second section describes the failure of Judah’s leaders in particular and the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Yet, in chapters 4 and 5, Micah describes a future kingdom, full of peace and justice, that is ruled by the Messiah. Finally, in the concluding section, Micah gives a glimpse into the lack of godly people and Judah’s failure to practice justice. But the book ends by showing us God’s steadfast love and compassion with a description of Him casting our sins into the depths of the sea.
This is a brief summary of the breakdown between judgments and promises, but to understand Micah more fully, let’s give some historical background. There was a resurgence of the power of Assyria which eventually led to the conquest and captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel. Assyria also invaded Judah. However, one of Judah’s most ungodly kings, Ahaz, ruled at this time and decided to make an alliance with the Assyrians so that they would leave his people alone. He even introduced Assyrian worship practices into the temple (2 Kings 16:10-18) and offered one of his sons in sacrifice to the Assyrian gods (2 Kings 16:2-4). This did lead to Assyria’s withdrawal from Judah, but also required Judah to pay heavy tributes to maintain their “freedom”. Ahaz’s son Hezekiah was a very different man from his father and decided to put his trust in the Lord rather than men and to throw off the yoke of the Assyrians. Hezekiah’s refusal to keep the agreement prompted an invasion of the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib that captured 46 cities in Judah and had Jerusalem surrounded. Things looked grim. However, Hezekiah put his trust in the Lord, and the outcome was the salvation of Judah. But the victory was not without heavy damage to many Judean cities. Hezekiah listened to the prophet Isaiah and the reminder of what Micah had prophesied earlier, and it saved the capital city. However – this didn’t mean that all Judeans were like Hezekiah or that this victory would last. In fact, although they were rescued from the Assyrians, the judgment being warned of in the prophets was ultimately delivered to the Judeans by the Babylonians.
Knowing this history, it is interesting to hear Micah’s message and know the ultimate outcome. Micah immediately tells of impending destruction to Israel (who would be taken into captivity by the Assyrians). He also shares what kind of people he is prophesying to as he describes them as “those who dream wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds” in 2:1. The people are clear that they aren’t interested in what Micah has to say when in 2:6 they say, “quit your preaching,” and then Micah goes on to say the right preacher for them would be one who utters lies and preaches to them about wine and beer (2:11). In chapter 3 verses 1 and 2, Micah states that the people of Judah should know what is just, but instead, they hate good and love evil. A remedy for this issue is found in chapter 4 verse 2 when Micah encourages the people to go to the mountain of the Lord and be taught God’s ways. Chapter 5 includes beautiful poetic language that is a prophecy of Jesus and how He will be a shepherd to the people and their peace. In Micah 6:8, one of the most well-known passages from the Bible is found: “What is it that the Lord requires of you but to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” And finally, chapter 7 ends with hope, promising that God does not hold on to His anger forever (7:18).
A century after Micah’s prophecies, the Judean elders recall his prophecies to King Hezekiah and how Hezekiah didn’t kill Micah, but instead pleaded for God’s favor. They compared Micah’s prophecies to Jeremiah’s to prove Jeremiah was not worthy of death. Micah’s prophecy had an impact in his lifetime on King Hezekiah, a century later for Jeremiah, and finally in the New Testament when his prophecy of Bethlehem is fulfilled when Christ is born in Bethlehem. However, we can also continue to learn from Micah. So, what are the lessons we can learn from Micah?
1. Do we really want to hear the truth from God, or would we prefer to hear lies?
2. Does our covetousness ever lead us to “devour” others?
3. Can we, like Micah, be filled with power and courage to speak the truth in a culture that loves lies?
4. Are we eager to go to the “mountain of God” to learn His ways and walk in His paths?
5. Are we following the Lord’s requirements to act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with our God?
6. Do we take comfort knowing God’s character is faithful and He will keep His promises?
May we take Micah’s warning to heart, but also rejoice in the prophecies of Micah fulfilled in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of our shepherd from Bethlehem, we can have our iniquities forgiven and our sins cast into the depths of the sea (7:18-19).
