The Prophet Micah

I. Historical Background

A. Prophecy

B. Prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Message is targeted to Israel and Judah Quoted by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 26:18.

C. We do not know anything of Micah other than his name

II. Case against Israel

A. Opression

B. The people plan evil on their beds that they might fulfill it in the morning, Micah 2:1. They take fields and houses by deceit and violence; these were to remain with families for generations by the distribution under Joshua.

C. False prophets

D. They quieted the godly prophets, Micah 2:6. They listen to the false prophets who tell them what they want to hear, Micah 2:11.

E. Should remind us of the warning to Timothy, 2 Timothy 4:2-5.

F. We can also ask preachers to only preach on things we want to hear. We can find preachers who will “tickle our ears” as Israel did. God would quiet His prophets, Micah 3:5-7.

G. Unjust

H. The unjust leaders consumed the people, Micah 3:1-2.

I. The leaders had a shallow view of God’s care, Micah 3:11

J. We must learn from this as well. Some think that they can do evil, maybe things they do not think are all that bad, and say, “The Lord is with us. No harm shall come.” God was not with them and He will not be with us when we behave like this.

K. Wicked behavior

L. There were no upright men, Micah 7:2-4 They consumed one another to enrich themselves. The best of them was like a briar in the forest, good for nothing.

III. Solution

A. Considering Judah’s dire condition, Micah ponders what they can do.

B. He first considers great sacrifices, Micah 6:6-7

C. He considered thousands of rams and rivers of oil. Perhaps God would consider a sacrifice of His firstborn. Micah was not suggesting such sacrifices, but it is rhetorical. Essentially, he asked, “What would please God and show repentance?”

D. His answer is not great sacrifices, but godly change of individuals.

E. The answer was in the Law all along; God taught them what was good.

F. Be Just

G. Proverbs 11:1 “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.” Exodus 23:1-3 – Justice in the Law of Moses

H. Be Merciful

I. Deuteronomy 5:8-10 – God is merciful but will punish the insolent They were to have pity on the widow and the orphan, help the oppressed, and reflect God’s mercy in dealing with their brethren.

J. Walk Humbly with God

K. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 – They were to be with the Lord continually through His law. Later in Deuteronomy 6, God warns them of getting into the Promised Land and forgetting that it was by God’s hand they were enjoying so many blessings. God wanted Israel to be united to Him, Deuteronomy 6:5, not just keep a bunch of commandments.

L. This is expected of us as well

M. Be Just

N. He wants us to be just because He is just. Matthew 23:23 – Jesus warned the Pharisees who neglected justice. James 2:1, 8-13 – Importance of justice in the Christian’s life.

O. How do we live justly?

P. We must be honest in our business dealings. We must not pilfer our employers by stealing their time or the things that belong to the company. We must be fair with our spouse, children, extended family, neighbors, and all men. We must seek what is good for our fellow man, not enrich ourselves by exploiting others.

Q. Be Merciful

R. He wants us to be merciful for He is merciful As just read in James, “Justice is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy.” We cannot expect mercy from God if we are unmerciful.

S. How can we be merciful?

T. We must quit being judgmental about our brethren.

U. Some brethren assign motives and actions that are at best unfair and at worse false. We must think the best unless it is proven not assumed otherwise, 1 Corinthians 13:5-7. We must have pity on those in need, whether sick, physically needy, or spiritually needy, and help them. We must be forgiving. God has shown abundant mercy to us. Romans 12:8 – “he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness”

V. Walk Humbly with God

W. Ephesians 2:10 – We must keep the commandments of God. Colossians 1:9-10 describes how this can be done Our life is enriched with daily communication with God and living with Him, seen in our everyday actions and attitudes.