Introduction; ministry covered reigns of three kings. Summons for all the nations to “hear”.

Impending judgment. God will come from his dwelling place to “witness” against them. God’s arrival will cause violent storms and earthquakes.

Micah 1:5 Sins of the Capital City Representative of Those of the Nation

National upheaval will be due to sins of the nations. Samaria will be destroyed

Micah 1:8-9 Personal reflection on the coming judgment is seen. Micah will go around weeping and wailing and mourning.

Micah 1:10-16 A warning and summons for the people. A listing of various towns that should be called to mourning is given.

Micah 2:6-11 True vs. false prophets. True prophets were troublemakers, embarrassing the privileged classes. False prophets told them not to prophesy. People were not living according to God’s standards. The poor, women, and even children were being treated cruelly. People only wanted to hear that more prosperity and affluence would come. They didn’t like hearing what Micah was saying

Micah 2:12-13 A statement of hope for the remnant. A remnant will be gathered. A message of hope remains in stark contrast to message of continuing prosperity from all the false prophets. Micah was not speaking about his own generation, but a future time. Kingdom of God would burst forth; people would be restored.

Micah 3:1-4 Indictment of the rulers of Israel. He asked if they knew justice. Micah continued with a harsh description of their disregard for justice. He used the metaphor of treating the people like cattle for butchering. Because they had been so merciless, the Lord would not answer their cries for help.

Micah 3:5-7 Indictment of the religious leaders of Israel. The false prophets told the priests what they wanted to hear.

Micah 3:8 Micah’s Consciousness of Power From the Spirit of God
Micah, full of the power of the Holy Spirit, preached a message of doom. The day would come when events would discredit their false bright prophecies. Then they will remember the words of Micah, his source was God.

Micah 4:9-13 Ruin and redemption of Jerusalem. Description of a dismal situation is given. No king, no priests, only pain (likened to a woman in labor). A description of exile to Babylon is given (May be used as general term for Mesopotamia). Exile to Babylon wouldn’t happen for another century or more…also promise of rescue out of the hand of their enemies. Nonetheless, that promise was for future generations. Current generation remained unrepentant and will suffer for their sins. Nations that gloated over Jerusalem’s misfortune should think about their place in God’s overall plan…in turn, they, too, would experience judgment. They, too, will be gathered like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Micah 5:1-4 A future King of Jerusalem is mentioned. A description of siege of Jerusalem is given. Yet, out of Bethlehem will come one who will be ruler over Israel. This individual has not yet been born. This indicated that God would not abandon them forever. Israel will not only have a new ruler, but also a reuniting of its brothers. This messianic king will care for Israel. He will shepherd his flocks in the strength of the Lord.

Micah 5:5-6 Future peace: God will gather his scattered people. They will rule over those who have ruled over them (Assyria).

Micah 5:7-9 Remnant of Jacob: Remnant will be transformed from being insignificant to having dominion. Nations will not be able to withstand the remnant

Micah 5:10-15 Purification of the Remnant: Weapons and idols would be destroyed. Nations will be expected to conform. The Lord will take vengeance on those who disobey.

Micah 7:1-2 Micah’s lament. Micah mourned the conditions he witnessed, the sorry state of mankind. Gave voice to his deepest feelings of disappointment. Used metaphor of going to vineyard hoping to find fruit, but none was there.

Micah 7:3-6 Lament over corruption of society. He claimed no honest people were left. Rulers and judges had given themselves over to greed. All were out to exploit before they became exploited. No one could trust anyone. “A man’s enemies are the members of his own household”.

Micah 7:7-10 A psalm of lament. A godly man can turn to God for help… he can wait in hope for the Lord. Micah knew that God would act in his own time. That brought a sense of peace, knowing that God was in control. He also knew the faithful would be vindicated. Ultimately God would act on their behalf.