My Servants The Prophets

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2. My Servants The Prophets Major Lessons From Selected Minor Prophets

3. Review –Prophets of Micah’s day ”The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah…” (Micah 1:1) Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1 “…in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah…”) Hosea (Hosea 1:1 “…in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah…”)

4. Review –Kings of Judah in Micah’s day Jotham of Judah (2 Kings 15:34-35) He did right in God’s sight The people sacrificed in the high places Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16:3-5, 15:37) He walked in the way of the kings of Israel Hezekiah of Judah Sennacharib came against Jerusalem (2 Kings 18) Hezekiah looked to God, and God delivered him (2 Kings 19:32-37)

5. Review –Scope of Micah’s message (near term) ”The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.”

6. Review –Spiritualclimate A time when many of God’s people would just not listen to Him (Isaiah 6:8-10, 2 Kings 17:13-14, 18) But some in Micah’s day would listen (a century later, Jeremiah 26:12-19)

7. Review –Outline Introduction and Chapter 1 - Judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem Chapter 2-3 - Woe to those who trouble God’s people with their wickedness Chapter 4-5 - Prophecy of God’s Kingdom and the Messiah Chapter 6-7 - God’s love and pardon for his people

8. Review –Lessons Man’s need to hear to the word of the Lord (Micah 1:2, 3:1, 6:1). “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says…” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)

9. Review –Lessons Recurrent lesson in the prophets - God rules this world. I’m impressed that God simply declares his will and it is done. Reference the centurion’s faith. (Matthew 8:8, Luke 7:1-9)

10. Review –Lessons No one will escape accountability for their actions. When we see injustice toward ourselves or toward others, understand that God will take care of it (now or later, Romans 3:23). We should sorrow for the sin of others and seek to turn them back to God (2 Corinthians 5:11, Micah 3:8)

11. Review –Lessons We must be as the prophets, the Lord, and his apostles. Teach – many may not listen, but some will hear and heed the word of the Lord.

12. Chapter 1:1-4 Imperative - the earth must listen to the Lord who rules from heaven “Hearken, O earth… I will make Samaria a heap…” - Israel would be an object lesson to the earth. Reference our study of Habbakuk. The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)

13. Chapter 1:5-7 The root cause for the sin of God’s people was Samaria and Jerusalem Samaria - reference Jeroboam who made Israel to sin (2 Kings 15:28) Jerusalem - kings such as Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-5) Judgment to God’s people. “I will make Samaria as a heap” (Micah 1:6-7)

14. Chapter 1:8-16 Expressive language of God’s coming judgment – seemingly a long series of play on words (Micah 1:10-16) Micah mourned for the evil that would come upon Judah (Micah 1:8-9) Expressive language for Micah’s sorrow (Micah 1:8-9) Wailing like the jackals Mourning like the ostrich Wounds are incurable

15. Review –Outline Introduction and Chapter 1 - Judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem Chapter 2-3 - Woe to those who trouble God’s people with their wickedness Chapter 4-5 - Prophecy of God’s Kingdom and the Messiah Chapter 6-7 - God’s love and pardon for his people

16. Introduction Chapters 2-3 give the answer for why the condemnation in chapter 1 Micah 6:8 gives an excellent summary of godly characteristics. But Micah 3:8 is like the tip of an iceberg. Chapters 2-3, 5-6 are the mass below the surface and illustrate the antithesis of the godly traits that God desires in Micah 6:8. Judgement is coming to Israel for their injustice, lack of mercy, and haughty spirit before God

17. Chapter 2:1-11 2:1-5 A sad commentary on God’s people – they were a perverse people Devise iniquity and then bring it to pass Covet fields and take them by violence Covet houses and take them away Oppress a man and his heritage Reference Luke 12:13-21, 1 Corinthians 6:20 One day they would be destroyed and there would be none to determine boundaries (5-6)

18. Chapter 2:1-11 2:6-11 A sad commentary on God’s people – they would rather hear lies than truth The people tell the prophets not to prophesy (reminds me of Jeremiah 38:4, Amos 7:12-13) The people are an enemy and robbed those who passed by in safety The people appoint liars as prophets – one could prophesy of wine and be appointed a priest in Israel (reminds me of Jeremiah 5:31, contrast John 8:32)

19. Chapter 2:12-13 A remnant would return God would assemble and lead a remnant of Jacob / Israel Whether physically as from captivity (2 Chronicles 36:17-23) Or spiritually with a “ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2-3)

20. Chapter 3:1-12 Heads of Jacob / princes of Israel (3:1-4) Hate the good and love the evil God will not hear them (I Peter 3:12)

21. Chapter 3:1-12 Prophets that make my people go astray (3:5-8) How can you make someone go astray? (Ref. Revelation 2:14 / Numbers 30:16 / Numbers 25:1-6, Jeroboam, Proverbs 28:10) Possibly – that they declare peace when they are fed, but war when they go hungry (teach good for hire?) Micah simply spoke the word of the Lord (1:1, 3:8) The sun would go down on these prophets (Proverbs 28:10)

22. Chapter 3:1-12 The rulers, priests and prophets (3:9-12) They hate justice and twist what is right They build up Zion with blood They judge for reward, teach for hire Then they lean upon God and say that the Lord is among them (hypocrisy) Therefore -> 3:12 They were covetous, oppressive, loved lies, made God’s people go astray, hated justice…

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