The Book of Micah
By:
M. Allen
FILING INFORMATION:
97029
06/22/97 - Cyclone, KY
Introduction.
A.
We continue our series on
the Minor prophets. Have had
positive comments from many of you concerning this series of lessons.
1.
Tonight, we want to talk
about the 6th book = the halfway point = Micah.
B.
Micah has been identified as
the prophet of the people.
1.
prophet of social reform
2.
was a man who envisioned
peace
3.
was a prophet during a time
when sin & corruption were prevalent.
4.
Didn't hesitate to declare
God's judgement against all wickedness.
C.
Tonight, we will attempt to
answer the follow questions:
1.
Who is Micah?
2.
When did he write his book?
3.
The Historical setting.
4.
What is Included in his
message?
5.
Lessons we can learn today.
D.
Hope you will take notes and
enjoy the lesson.
Who Was Micah?
A.
Name "Micah" means who is like Jehovah?
1.
Micah native of Moresheth -
a village southwest of Jerusalem.
2.
In his own words, he tells
us he prophecied during the times of Jotham, Ahaz, & Hezekiah - all kings
of Judah.
a.
a prophet of Judah - but his
message concerned Israel as well.
B.
A Contemporary: Isaiah. Unlike Isaiah, who prophecied in the city, Micah preached in
the country.
1.
nothing known of his
occupation. Speculation: farmer.
2.
Had a desire for justice and
a heart full of love.
When Was The Book Written?
A.
Unlike some of the other
minor prophets, Micah's book is easily & fairly certainly dated.
1.
3 kings in 1:1 cover a
period for around 60 yrs. = prob. 750 B.C. to 687 BC.
2.
Israel fell to Assyria in
the 6th yr. Of Hezekiah's reign.
a.
no mention is made of this
in the book.
b.
Micah prophecied to both
Israel & Judah
B.
Therefore, it is likely that
Micah prophecied in the first few years of the reign of Hezekiah.
The Historical Setting
A.
Micah lived during the days
of Hosea, Joel, Amos, & Isaiah.
1.
This, the times were
characterized by great wickedness, a lack of repentance, and the impending
threat of capativity.
a.
one scholar: socially
& morally, Judah presented a dark picture during the late 8th century BC.
b.
Some of the problems
exhitibed & dealt with in the book:
1.
2:1-2 - the greed of the nobles. Evicitng small landowners.
2.
2:8 - greed which knew no limits
3.
2:9 - widows & orphans being robbed & plundered
4.
3:3 - nobles likened unto cannibals
5.
3:10 - mercyless creditors.
2.
Religion simply a
tradition: no meaning. Their heart was simply not in it.
3.
Purpose of the
prophecy:
a.
people in need of
repentance.
b.
No repentance - in danger of
judgment from God
c.
Promise of mercy if they
would turn back to God.
1.
Rom. 11:22 - God is good to
those who obey; but will punish those who do not.
B.
3:8 - The source of Micah's
power:
1.
Micah saw clearly the
conditions around him, and the pressing needs of the day.
2.
Was filled with
courage: met issues head on. Not pleasant to expose sin
a.
exposed & condemned the
people's sins.
b.
Pointed out very clearly
that their only hope was to follow in obedience to God.
1.
6:8
2.
He constantly stressed the
need for living within the limitations of God's Word.
C.
Go Over Outline on Overhead.
1.
Micah's prophecy contains a
goodly number of references to important events and themes.
a.
1:6-7 - foretold the
destruction of Israel.
b.
3:12-7:13 - the desolation
of Jerusalem & the temple
c.
4:10 - prophecied the
carrying away of the Jews to Babylon.
d.
4:1-8 - foresaw the
Messiah's kingdom.
e.
5:2-5 - prophecied
concerning the birth of Christ & where He would be born.
f.
4:1-3; 6:8 - passaged
referring to God's great regard for righteousness and judgement.
Lessons From the book for Christians today
A.
This short book of full of
lessons for us today. Paul
affirmed in Romans 15:4 that things written in the OT are profitable for
Christians today.
1.
the many sins which the
prophet condemns and the certainity of God's judgement pronounced upon the
people for their sins is a great lesson in itself.
B.
The Certainity of the Coming
Kingdom.
1.
This is foretold. God does not fail to fulfill His
promises.
2.
The promise of the coming
kingdom was a source of great hope to the Israelites during their suffering and
captivity.
3.
Micah's prophecy declared
what kind of kingdom it would be.
4.
We can learn that we are to
be a people of peace.
5.
We can have the confidence
to believe that what God says he will do. He will do!
C.
Corruptness of the priests
and hypocrisy in religious is stearnly declared.
1.
3:12 - because of these
sins, Jerusalem was to become "heaps."
2.
Several hundred years later
the Son of God came warning against hypocrisy in religion and pronounced the
severest woes upon the scribes and pharisees.
a.
Mt. 23:37-39
3.
This should be a warning to
us as well.
D.
6:1-5 - God's Patience Will
Not Endure Forever.
1.
God loves man, and He will bear
with His people with longsuffering and compassion through sins and trials.
2.
But let us understand: his patience will not last forever!
3.
He destroyed the world of
Noah's day with the flood, and he rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom &
Gomorrah.
4.
Micah declared that God
would not forever tolerate the sins of Judah and Israel
5.
2 Peter 3:9-13
E.
7:15-20 - God is Willing to
accept man in penitence
1.
God spared Ninevah when
Jonah preached to them and they turned from their ways.
a.
Jesus forgave Peter for His
denials.
2.
He is willing to forgive us
when we repent, for He soesn't want any of us to be lost. 2 Pet. 3:9
3.
But God dies command
repentance:
a.
Acts 17:30-31
b.
Luke 13:3-5
c.
Acts 2:38
4.
Those who do not turn from
their ways will be lost!
Conclusion
A.
We cannot refuse to live as
God directs and still please God.
B.
Consider where you stand
before God and do what ever it takes to improve it.