Micah ~ “Who is like Yahweh?”

Authorship

Almost certainly Micah of Moresheth (1:1 and 3:1-4). We do not know where Moresheth is today, but Jeremiah 26:18 affirms that Micah was from Moresheth. In fact, Jeremiah 26:16-19 includes a quote from Micah 3:12 used to defend what Jeremiah himself is prophesying.

Date and Context

Micah prophesied around the same time as Isaiah (compare Micah 1:1 to Isaiah 1:1). Micah's ministry likely began sometime around 740 B.C., shortly after Isaiah's ministry had begun, and ended around 700 BC. Unlike Isaiah, however, Micah's vision is not only about Jerusalem and the Southern kingdom, but it also has to do with Samaria and the Northern Kingdom. This, combined with the dates of Micah's ministry, is particularly interesting because this means that Israel, the Northern Kingdom, would have been exiled about half way through Micah's ministry (the Northern Kingdom was exiled in 722 B.C.).

Theme(s)

  • God's Judgement in His Covenant Plan. The book of Micah explains why God will judge His people, but also lays out God's redemptive and restorative plans for His people. In the process, we get a picture of how God uses judgement both to refine His people and to punish those who oppose Him. The final chapter of this book is a great statement of hope and trust in God's ability to enact His covenant plan.

Outline

0. Introduction [1:1]

I. God's Case and Verdict Against His People and Their Hope, Part 1 [1:2 - 2]

A. The people's unfaithfulness and its consequences [1:2 - 1:16]

B. Woe to the wicked oppressors [2:1-11]

C. The promise of restoration when God gathers his people and leads them [2:12-13]

II. The Present Oppression and Future Restoration [3 - 5]

A. God's indictments against the rulers and prophets [3]

B. Promise of peace and restoration in the latter days [4 - 5]

  1. Future peace and victory for Israel [4 - 5:1]

  2. The means of this victory and peace [5:2-6]

  3. The resulting remnant [5:7-9]

  4. God's purification of His people and judgement of His enemies [5:10-15]

III. God's Case and Verdict Against His People and Their Hope, Part 2 [6 - 7]

A. God's case and verdict against His people [6]

B. Micah's lament and hope [7]

  1. Micah's lament over the lack of Godly people [7:1-6]

  2. Micah's hope [7:7-20]

    a. Micah's hope in God's judgement [7:7-13]

    b. Micah's hope in God's shepherding [7:14-17]

    c. Micah's hope in God's character [7:18-20]

Observations/Notes

  • The structure of the book can be identified based on similar language used throughout the book:

    • The prophecy or statement in chapters 1, 3, and 6 each begin with the word "hear"
    • Chapters 1 and 6 begin with similar language calling earth and mountains to be witnesses against Israel (see also Jeremiah 6:19)
    • Chapters 2 and 7 both begin with a "woe"

  • Micah 7:18 begins with the phrase: "Who is a God like You..." (NASB) which is similar to Micah's name

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