Topical Encyclopedia The Book of Micah is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, attributed to the prophet Micah, who prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Micah's ministry is generally dated to the 8th century BC, a time of significant social injustice and idolatry in both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.Authorship and Historical Context Micah, whose name means "Who is like Yahweh?" hailed from Moresheth, a town in the lowlands of Judah. His prophecies were directed primarily towards Judah and Jerusalem, though he also addressed Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. The historical backdrop of Micah's ministry includes the Assyrian threat, which culminated in the fall of Samaria in 722 BC and posed a significant danger to Judah. Structure and Themes The Book of Micah is composed of seven chapters and can be divided into three main sections, each beginning with a call to hear: chapters 1-2, 3-5, and 6-7. The book alternates between oracles of judgment and promises of restoration, reflecting the dual themes of divine justice and mercy. 1. Judgment Against Israel and Judah (Chapters 1-3): Micah begins with a vivid depiction of God's impending judgment due to the transgressions of Jacob and the sins of the house of Israel. "For behold, the LORD is coming from His dwelling place; He comes down and treads the high places of the earth" (Micah 1:3). The prophet condemns the social injustices, idolatry, and the corruption of leaders and prophets who lead the people astray. 2. Hope and Restoration (Chapters 4-5): Despite the grim pronouncements, Micah offers a vision of hope and future restoration. He prophesies the establishment of the Lord's house as the highest of the mountains, drawing nations to it (Micah 4:1-2). A significant messianic prophecy is found in Micah 5:2, foretelling the birth of a ruler in Bethlehem: "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity." 3. Plea for Repentance and Divine Compassion (Chapters 6-7): The final section begins with a divine lawsuit against Israel, where God reminds the people of His righteous acts and calls them to repentance. Micah 6:8 encapsulates the ethical demands of God: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" The book concludes with a message of hope, emphasizing God's steadfast love and forgiveness, as Micah declares, "Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance?" (Micah 7:18). Theological Significance The Book of Micah highlights the themes of social justice, true worship, and the hope of redemption through the coming Messiah. It underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's will, emphasizing justice, mercy, and humility. Micah's prophecies serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for salvation, offering a message of hope amidst judgment. Smith's Bible Dictionary the Book Of MicahThree sections of this work represent three natural divisions of the prophecy --1, 2; 3-5; 6,7 --each commencing with rebukes and threatening and closing with a promise. The first section opens with a magnificent description of the coming of Jehovah to judgment for the sins and idolatries of Israel and Judah, ch. 1:2-4, and the sentence pronounced upon Samaria, vs. 5-9, by the Judge himself. The sentence of captivity is passed upon them. (Micah 2:10) but is followed instantly by a promise of restoration and triumphant return. ch. (Micah 2:12,13) The second section is addressed especially to the princes and heads of the people: their avarice and rapacity are rebuked in strong terms; but the threatening is again succeeded by a promise of restoration. In the last section, chs. 6,7, Jehovah, by a bold poetical figure, is represented as holding a controversy with his people, pleading with them in justification of his conduct toward them and the reasonableness of his requirements. The whole concludes with a triumphal song of joy at the great deliverance, like that from Egypt, which jehovah will achieve, and a full acknowledgment of his mercy and faithfulness of his promises. vs. 16-20. The last verse is reproduced in the song of Zacharias. (Luke 1:72,73) Micah's prophecies are distinct and clear. He it is who says that the Ruler shall spring from Bethlehem. ch. (Luke 5:2) His style has been compared with that of Hosea and Isaiah. His diction is vigorous and forcible, sometimes obscure from the abruptness of its transitions, but varied and rich. Library Micah The Prophet Micah. What Micah, Jonah, and Joel Prophesied in Accordance with the New ... The Twelve Minor Prophets. Jonah and Micah. Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets. Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ... Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk and Micah. Death ... Advertisement Book xviii. Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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