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Micah 725-695 B.C.E.

Micah 725-695 B.C.E. Bible Study Myron Heavin. Micah - Outline. Background Prologue (1:1) God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13) Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15) Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope (6:1-7:20) Bibliography.

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Micah 725-695 B.C.E.

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  1. Micah725-695 B.C.E. Bible Study Myron Heavin

  2. Micah - Outline • Background • Prologue (1:1) • God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13) • Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15) • Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope (6:1-7:20) • Bibliography

  3. Micah – Outline Symetry • God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13) • Indictment and Judgment Against the People (1:2-2:11) • Hope for the People (2:12-13) • Just Leadership will come to Zion (3:1-5:15) • Indictment and Judgment against Leaders (3) • Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration (4:1-8) • Current Crisis and Deliverance (4:9-5:9) • Future Purging (5:10-15) • Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope (6:1-7:20) • Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation (6:1-7:7) • Hope for the Nation (7:8-20

  4. Micah - Organization • 3 Sections organized as • Call to: Listen to the word of the Lord • Initial section: Describing sin of the people and its consequences • Ending: Note of hope

  5. Micah – Key IdeasAndrew Hill and John Walton • An Indictment of Injustice • The throne of David to be filled by a deliverer born in Bethlehem • Right behavior, not manipulating rituals, as the proper response to God’s anger • The coming deliverance from the Assyrian threat

  6. Micah - Background Purpose: “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgressions, to Israel his sin” (3:8). Message: That the people, particularly upper class, were guilty of injustice – leading to their destruction and exile • Destruction of cult places • Political devastation • Personal judgment against specific offenders • Spiritual judgment, depriving prophets of revelation • Socioeconomic judgment, affecting fertility of the land

  7. Micah - Background • Contemporary of Isaiah • From small town of Moresheth, Judah • Never mentions he preached/prophesized in temple • Quoted 100 years later by Jeremiah (26:18-19) • Prophesized to kings: Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah • Ministered thru the Assyrian crisis

  8. Micah - @ 742-695 BC

  9. Micah - Theology • God is holy, he must act in justice against those enemies of his who act unjustly • This includes Israel, Judah, (and us) • God is also a forgiving, compassionate, and merciful God, who will keep his oath to Abraham (7:18-20) • God will restore his oppressed people and reign in power from Zion forever (2:12-13; 4:6-8)

  10. Northern Kingdom • Worship Centers • Dan • Bethel • Mixed Baal/God worship • Each had golden calf • Capital City Samaria • Baal Worship Temple

  11. Baal Worship in Israel • Official Religion of Israel (Northern Kingdom) • Blended worship with God • Baal Temple in Samaria • Capital of Israel • 1 Kings 16:29-34; 18:13, 19 • 1 Kings 19:18; 2 Kings 10:18-28

  12. Timeline of Minor Prophets

  13. Death and Life (1:1-11)A Reluctant Prophet and Yahweh (1:1-3) • Israel hated Assyria • Nineveh was capital city of Assyria • Jonah/Israel thought God was a regional God • He could flee to Tarshish to escape from God

  14. God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2:2:13) • Prologue (1:1) • God is Coming to Power to Establish Justice (1:2-2:13) • Indictment and Judgment Against the People (1:2-2:11) • Hope for the People (2:12-13) • Micah Menu

  15. Micah Prologue (1:1)(Dates approximate) • The Word of the Lord came to Micah (of Judah) • Micah 742-695 BC spoke to 3 Judah kings • Jotham 742-735 BC (bad king) • Ahaz 735-715 BC (bad king) • 722 BC Northern Kingdom fell • Hezekiah 715-697 BC (great king)

  16. God will Come to Judge the Earth (1:2-4) • Micah preached only in Judah • As far as we know from his writings • God is speaking to entire world about Israel/Judah • The Lord is witnessing against you from heavenly temple • This is the authoritative word of the Lord • God will speak dramatically thru nature

  17. God Will Judge Israel and Judah (1:5-7) • House of Jacob (Israel) has transgressed/sinned • Sin of Samaria (Israel false worship) • Sin of Judah (Jerusalem false worship) • God predicts total destruction of Israel • Samaria will be a heap of rubble • Her idols and images will be broken to pieces • Since gifts came from prostitution

  18. Lament Because Disaster Coming to Jerusalem • Announcement of a Lament (1:8-9) • Because of destruction of Israel I will weep and wail • For the transgressions of Israel were found in you • Her wound has come to Judah! • It has reached the gate in Jerusalem! • Lament for Six Cities in Judah (1:10-12) • Gath, Beth Ophrah, Shaphir, Zaanan, Beth Ezel, Maroth • Lament on Five Cities in Judah (1:13-16) • Lacish, Mofesbeth Gath, Aczib, Mareshah, Adullam

  19. Lament Because Disaster Coming to JerusalemThe Powerful Covet and Steal Property (2:1-5) • Woe to those that plan iniquity & evil • They do this because they can • They covet fields, homes, & inheritances • They plot at night and steal in the morning • This is reverse of how most thieves act • Mosaic Covenant requires land to be kept within a family • The 10th commandment forbids coveting of property

  20. The Powerful Covet and Steal Property (2:1-5) • Therefore I am planning disaster against them • It will be a time of calamity • Men will ridicule you • Micah is implying • They will not participate in any future redistribution of land following Assyrian conquest • The poor will someday regain their lands

  21. The Powerful Reject God’s Word (2:6-11) • The powerful people reject Micah prophecy • They say, “we are safe” & reject prophets words • God is not an angry God • We are God’s chosen people

  22. The Powerful Reject God’s Word (2:6-11) • Micah preaches that God destroys evil behavior • God’s blessings and goodness reserved only for good people • But you strip away clothes, rob houses, take away children's blessings • Go away – you have defiled this land • This people wants a prophet who predicts more beer and wine

  23. The Powerful Reject God’s Word (2:6-11) • Implications for today • Today rich people getting richer • Today coveting/greed is considered good • Our enemies (Russia, North Korea) rising • China poised to soon be #1 economic super-power • Our rulers have abandoned God • We like politicians preaching good economic news • Most preachers avoid politics • We too dislike prophets of disasters

  24. God Will Gather a Remnant (2:12-13) • God promises to save a remnant of Israel and Judah • Great ending to prophecies of disaster • Israel and Judah will be together in a protective pen • Implies surrounded by enemies • Perhaps Jerusalem surrounded by Assyria (701 BC) • Jesus is the good shepherd who goes before them

  25. Just Leadership Will Come to Zion (3:1-5:15) • Sermons given at the time of Hezekiah by Micah • Jeremiah 26:17-19 prior to 701 BC (Assyrian invasion) • Indictment and Judgment against Leaders (3) • Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration (4:1-8) • Gods Messanic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9) • Future Purging (5:10-15) • Micah Outline

  26. Indictment and Judgment against LeadersThe Removal of Jacob’s Unjust Leaders (3:1-4) • Listen, you rulers of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, Should you not know justice? • You hate good and love evil • You tear skin off my people, you break their bones • They will cry out to The Lord, but he will not answer them • They have done evil

  27. The Removal of All Jacob’s Leadership (3:9-12) • Listen leaders of Jacob, rulers of Israel • Who despise justice and distort all that is right • Who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with wickedness • Who judge for a bribe, preach for price, tell prophecies for money • While using the Lord’s name to declare no disaster • Therefore Zion will be plowed like a field, temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets

  28. Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration God’s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5) • Commentator thoughts: • Some think Micah encouraging Hezekiah to keep strong when beseeched • Some think section added in exile • Others note it describes coming of Jesus • No specific mention of New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34) • This section similar to Isaiah prophecies • Say something bad, but then offer hope for future

  29. Hope for Lord’s Leadership and Restoration God’s Transformation of Zion and all Nations (4:1-5)Myron’s Thoughts • Describes last days when God rules from Jerusalem • Jesus came with New Covenant to all nations/peoples • “in these last days, has spoken to us in His Son, who He has appointed heir of all things …(Heb 1:2) • Roman rule provided “paxromana” (peace by force) • Also points to a future 2nd coming • Then there will be no more tears, no more wars • New heaven and new earth, we have new eternal bodies

  30. Jerusalem Will Be Afflicted and DeliveredTransformation of weak into the Strong (4:6-8) • Jesus will come to the poor, the weak, & the lame • He will die as a sacrifice for their sins • The new Kingdom of God will grow slowly but cover the entire earth • Jesus will come again a 2nd time • We will rise up like eagles • We will get new eternal resurrection bodies • We will enjoy God forever

  31. God’s Messianic Plan Foretold (Micah 4:9-5:9) You will go into exile in Babylon writhing like a woman in labor. There the Lord will redeem you (4:9-10) Now many nations rise against you but God has a plan the invaders do not know (4:11-12) Rise & thresh daughters of Zion, I will give you horn of iron and hooves of bronze. They’ll strike Israel’s ruler with rod (4:13-5:1) A Messiah will be born in Bethlehem who will rule over Israel (5:2-3) He will strongly shepherd His flock in security, and He will be their peace (5:4-5a) The Assyrians will invade you for a time, but you will be delivered by shepherds (5:5b-6) Zion’s remnant will be disbursed throughout the world, like a lion among the beasts of the forest. Your hand will be lifted up (5:7-9)

  32. God’s Messianic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9) • Zion/Jacob will be punished due to idol worship and disobedience • Zion will be disbursed throughout the known world • The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem • He is from old • The Kingdom of God has arrived • The Kingdom of God spreads from the Synagogues throughout the Mediterranean world • All peoples/races on earth are now blessed • Your hand (God/Messiah) will win in triumph (future)

  33. God’s Messianic Plan Foretold (4:9-5:9)Various Commentary Views • Micah audience was Israelites, prophecy is about Israel, not the Messiah • Israel will be reformed in the future – very hopeful • Micah, like Isaiah, was really describing how Messiah will come for all peoples • Good correlation with New Testament interpretations • Herod was told Messiah born in Bethlehem (wise men) • Micah applies to both cases above, as prophecies can come true more than once • 1st meaningful to Israelites, later meaningful to Christians • Israelites should see current stress in light of future Messiah

  34. Jerusalem will be Afflicted and DeliveredGod’s Removal of all False Hopes (5:10-15) • Israel had to be purged of: • Armed forces (5:10-11) • Horses, chariots, cities, strongholds • Worship of witchcraft, idols, and Asherah poles (5:12-14) • Do not worship things made by human hands • Those who do not obey God (5:15) • Chosen people were to be a nation of priests • Preparation for coming of the Messiah

  35. Jerusalem will be Afflicted and DeliveredGod’s Removal of all False Hopes (5:10-15) • Some commentators think: • Perhaps a sermon to Hezekiah about siege of Jerusalem • 2 Chron 32:7-8; 2 Kings 18:1-4

  36. Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, & Hope • A lawsuit brought by God against Judah/Israel • Perhaps early days of Manasseh reign (bad king) • God uses words, makes covenants, writes scripture • Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation (6:1-7:7) • Hope for the Nation (7:8-20) • Micah Outline

  37. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation • God Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8) • A call of attention (1) • The calling of witnesses (2a, 3) • The announcement of a case (2b, 4) • A defense of God’s action (3-5) • A defense by the accused (6-7) • The basis of God’s judgment (8) • Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16) • Additional accusations (9-12) • God’s Verdict of judgment (13-16)

  38. Indictment and Judgment Against the NationGod Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8) • The initiation of God’s lawsuit (6:1-2) • God is judging his own chosen people • Messiah preparation requires God judge all people equally • He cannot play favorites • A defense of God’s action (6:3-5) • God enumerates past unique help to Israelites

  39. Indictment and Judgment Against the NationGod Brings a Covenant Lawsuit Against Judah (6:1-8) • A Defense of Israel’s action (6:6-8) • (Animal) Sacrifices not useful for sinful people • God discusses sacrificing his own son for peoples sin “He has shown you, O man, what is good.What does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)

  40. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation Accusations and Verdict (6:9-16) • Additional accusations (6:9-12) • Dishonest scales, false weights, violent rich men, liars, deceitful tongues • God’s Verdict of judgment (13-16) • Therefore I have begun to destroy you • There is no turning back –you are doomed

  41. Indictment and Judgment Against the Nation Micah Laments Judah’s Decadence (7:1-6) • Micah disappointed at fruits of his labor • Hezekiah reforms have now failed with later king • The grapes are gone, the figs did not come • Society is now totally corrupt • Godly swept from land • All peoples wait to shed blood, to hunt brothers • Rulers demand gifts, judges accept bribes, powerful dictate what they want • Do not trust neighbor, guard yourself against your lover

  42. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)Confession of Trust in God (7:7-10) • I watch in hope for the Lord, my Savior • My God will hear me, • I will rise • The Lord will be my light • He will plead my case • My eyes will see downfall of evil

  43. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)Oracle of Salvation for Judah (7:11-13) • The Lord will rebuild Israel • Walls will be rebuilt • Boundaries will be extended • People will come to you from Assyria & Egyptand from sea to sea and mountain to mountain • The earth will become desolate because its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds • Seems to point to a far future time (like 2018+)

  44. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)Oracle of Salvation (7:15-17) • Nations will be in awe of God (in the future) • They will see and be ashamed, powerless, and will not speak or hear • They will lick dust like a snake • They will come trembling out of their dens • They will fear the Lord and be afraid of you

  45. Hope for the Nation (7:8-20)Hymn of Praise to God (7:18-20) • Who is like God to you? • Who can pardon sin and forgive transgressions • Who does not stay angry forever • Who will again have compassion on us • You will be true to Jacob and show mercy to Abraham as you pledged an oath to our fathers in days long ago

  46. Bibliography • Achtemeier, Elizabeth. “Amos”. Minor Prophets I. New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2002. • Hill, Andrew E. and Walton, John H. “A Survey of the Old Testament”. Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2000. • Johnston, Philip S. “Amos”. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Grand Rapids, Zondervan 2009. • Micah Outline

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