Miquéias 1

Miquéias 1

Piper - Micah is a hard prophet to understand because the book alternates back and forth between threats of doom and promises of hope. It is hard to figure out what situations he is referring to and how the hope and doom relate to each other. Probably the reason the book is arranged like this is to make the point that where God and His people are concerned there is always hope, even in the darkest catastrophe. So Micah mingles gloom and glory through his book. (From Bethlehem in the Majesty of the Name of the Lord) Charles Swindoll - Much of Micah’s book revolves around two significant predictions: one of judgment on Israel and Judah (Micah 1:1–3:12), the other of the restoration of God’s people in the millennial kingdom (Micah 4:1–5:15). Judgment and restoration inspire fear and hope, two ideas wrapped up in the final sequence of Micah’s prophecy, a courtroom scene in which God’s people stand trial before their Creator for turning away from Him and from others (Micah 6:1–7:20). In this sequence, God reminds the people of His good works on their behalf, how He cared for them while they cared only for themselves. But rather than leave God’s people with the fear and sting of judgment, the book of Micah concludes with the prophet’s call on the Lord as his only source of salvation and mercy (Micah 7:7), pointing the people toward an everlasting hope in their everlasting God. (Book of Micah Overview) ALWAYS THE BEST PLACE TO BEGIN The word of the LORD - This reminds us of Peter's words "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (2Pe 1:20-21-note) Micah was moved by the Holy Spirit to bring this prophetic word from Jehovah to His errant, apostate people in Judah. The Word of the LORD which came - 11 verses - Josh 15:8; 18:16; 2 Kgs 23:10; 2 Chr 28:3; 33:6; Neh 11:30; Jer 7:31f; 19:2, 6; 32:35 The Word of the LORD came - 139 verses - Gen 15:1, 4; 1 Sam 15:10; 2 Sam 7:4; 24:11; 1Kgs 2:30; 6:11; 13:1, 9, 17, 20; 15:29; 16:1, 7; 17:2, 8; 18:1, 36; 19:9; 21:17, 28; 2Kgs 6:18; 10:17; 20:4; 22:9; 1 Chr 11:3; 12:23; 22:8; 2 Chr 11:2; 12:7; Ps 105:19; Isa 38:4; 66:2; Jer 1:2, 4, 11, 13; 2:1; 13:3, 8; 14:1; 16:1; 18:5; 21:1; 24:4; 26:1; 27:1; 28:12; 29:30; 32:1, 6, 8, 26; 33:1, 19, 23; 34:1, 12; 35:1, 12; 36:1, 27; 37:6; 40:1; 42:7; 43:8; 46:1; 47:1; 49:34; Ezek 1:3; 3:16; 6:1; 7:1; 11:14; 12:1, 8, 17, 21, 26; 13:1; 14:2, 12; 15:1; 16:1; 17:1, 11; 18:1; 20:2, 45; 21:1, 8, 18; 22:1, 17, 23; 23:1; 24:1, 15, 20; 25:1; 26:1; 27:1; 28:1, 11, 20; 29:1, 17; 30:1, 20; 31:1; 32:1, 17; 33:1, 23; 34:1; 35:1; 36:16; 37:15; 38:1; Hos 1:1; Joel 1:1; Jonah 1:1; 3:1; Mic 1:1; Zeph 1:1; Hag 1:1, 3; 2:1, 10, 20; Zech 1:1, 7; 4:8; 6:9; 7:1, 4, 8; 8:1, 18 Micah falls into three prophetic strains, each beginning, "Hear": (Mic 1:2, 3:1, 9, 6:1, 9, 7:7) 1. Micah 1:1 to Micah 2:13 2. Micah 3:1 to Micah 5:15 3. Micah 6:1 to Micah 7:20 Who? Micah = Who is Like Jehovah? Micah - Mark Copeland characterizes the Prophet Micah Copeland: Characterization of the Prophet Micah A. "He was the prophet of the poor and downtrodden." (Homer Hailey) B. "He had Amos' passion for justice and Hosea's heart for love." (J. M. P. Smith) C. Comparing Micah to his contemporary Isaiah (as suggested by Hailey) 1) Micah was a man of the fields, Isaiah was of the city 2) Micah took little interest in politics, giving himself to the concern over spiritual and moral problems; Isaiah was in close contact with world affairs, the associate of kings and princes 3) Both Micah and Isaiah... a) Saw God as the infinite Ruler of nations and men b) Recognized the absolute holiness and majesty of God c) Stressed that violating principles of God's divine sovereignty and holiness would bring judgment and doom Where? Moresheth When? Contemporary of Isaiah = See Isa 1:1 for mention of the same 3 Kings of Judah the Southern Kingdom - Jotham; Ahaz; Hezekiah Why? Micah's word was directed to the capital cities of Israel and Judah respectively (both serving as representative of each nation) - Samaria (Northern Kingdom) and Jerusalem (Southern Kingdom)