T he only good news that we ought to know and remember is that Jesus Christ had already won the war against sin and death. He has made it possible for us to join Him in the afterlife. All we need now to do is accept Him as He is. God is alive today and it may be sometimes be difficult to see this. The world and its demonic nature has still made it look like that only worldly things matter and that the ultimate goal of each one is to achieve their own personal happiness. This is the biggest lie of all, that we should do all to make us happy. Individual happiness at the expense of someone else is the biggest deception of all. The truth is, our lives are never really about us. It is ultimately about God and about others. It is about how you can provide and give joy even at our own expense. This is the model of ultimate and genuine love that Jesus shown us at the cross. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s frie...
The Book of Micah is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, attributed to the prophet Micah. He prophesied in Judah during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, roughly from 737 to 696 BCE. This places him as a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. The book is part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.
Micah's message is primarily one of social justice, condemnation of corruption, and a promise of future restoration for Israel. He denounces the leaders, priests, and false prophets of his time for their greed, oppression of the poor, and moral decay.
Key Themes and Structure:
The book can be broadly divided into three main sections, each beginning with "Hear" or "Listen":
Chapters 1-2: Judgment on Samaria and Judah Micah begins by proclaiming God's coming judgment on both the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem) due to their idolatry and injustice. He vividly describes the devastation that will come upon them.
Notable Verse: "Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble in the open country, a place for planting vineyards. I will pour her stones into the valley and lay bare her foundations." (Micah 1:6)
Chapters 3-5: Condemnation of Leaders and Promise of Restoration This section is a strong indictment of the corrupt leaders, judges, priests, and prophets who exploit the people. Micah condemns those who "devour my people's flesh" (Micah 3:3). However, interwoven with these condemnations are prophecies of hope and future restoration, including the famous prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem.
Notable Quote/Verse: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2) This prophecy is famously cited in the New Testament regarding the birth of Jesus.
Micah also speaks of a future time when nations will stream to Jerusalem, and swords will be beaten into plowshares, signifying universal peace. "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." (Micah 4:3)
Chapters 6-7: God's Case Against Israel and a Plea for Justice and Mercy In the final section, Micah presents a courtroom scene where God brings a case against Israel. God reminds them of His faithfulness, particularly in the Exodus. Micah then famously encapsulates what God truly requires of humanity. Despite the current state of sin, the book ends with a prayer for deliverance and an expression of hope in God's mercy and faithfulness.
Most Notable Quote/Verse: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) This verse is often considered the theological heart of the book and a summary of prophetic ethics.
Concluding Hope: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19)
Historical Context and Composition:
Micah prophesied during a turbulent period in Judah's history. The northern kingdom of Israel was eventually conquered and exiled by Assyria in 722 BCE, an event Micah may have witnessed or certainly prophesied about. Judah itself was threatened by the Assyrian empire, particularly during the reign of King Hezekiah, when Jerusalem was besieged by Sennacherib. Micah's warnings of judgment reflect the very real political and military dangers facing Judah, which he interpreted as divine punishment for their unfaithfulness and injustice.
The book is believed to have been compiled from Micah's oral prophecies by his disciples or later editors. While the core message is attributed to Micah, the final form of the book likely underwent some editorial processes, common for prophetic books, to arrange the messages and add context. The recurring themes and consistent voice, however, point to a strong central authorial presence. Micah's warnings were impactful enough that they are mentioned in Jeremiah 26, where his prophecy against Jerusalem is cited as a reason why King Hezekiah repented and Jerusalem was spared at that time.