Title: Micah
Contents
[Old Testament Prophets] - Micah
Micah - the prophet who foretold the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem
1. Personal information
① Micah means ‘Who is like Jehovah?’
② A native of Gathmoresheth, a country between Judah and the Philistine border of Gath (Mic 1:1, 14).
③ Prophet of southern Judah who was active at the same time as Hosea, Amos, and Isaiah.
④ Active in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the 11th, 12th, and 13th kings of southern Judah.
⑤ Author of the Minor Prophets, Micah (Mic 1:1).
2. Historical background
When the prophet Micah was active, around 735-690 B.C., Palestine was swept into the vortex of international war due to the full-scale southward policy of Assyria, a new empire in the north. That is, from Tiglath-pileser III (745-727 BC), Shalmaneser V (727-722 BC), Sargon II (722-705 BC), Sennacherib (705-681 BC), etc. The two kingdoms of Israel were constantly attacked, and in the meantime, the northern kingdom was destroyed in 722 BC, and the southern kingdom was in danger of being destroyed just before it was destroyed by the invasion of Sanhyerib in 701 BC. At this time, Micah warned Israel in the north and Judah in the south, warning of God's judgment, and proclaimed a message calling for repentance.
3. Major Life
before the ministry
birth
Growing up in Gardmore
Mi 1:1
Start of ministry during the reign of King Jotham
747-731 B.C.
Mi 1:1
after work
Proclamation of judgment against idolatry in the northern and southern kingdoms
747-687 B.C.
Mic 1:1-16
Proclamation of judgment for the sins of the ruling class
〃
Mic 2:1-3:4
Proclamation of judgment against false prophets
〃
Mic 3:5-8
Messiah's Bethlehem Birth Prophecy
〃
Mic 5:2
the book of micah
around 700 B.C.
Mic 1:1-7:20
death
4. character
① A person who has a strong sense of patriotism and is very courageous when he sees that he boldly proclaimed God's judgment while strongly criticizing the idolatry and immorality of the northern and southern kingdoms (Mic 1:1-16).
② The owner of deep compassion and passionate love for his soul, so that he tears his clothes and throws them away when he sees the destruction of northern Israel (Mic.
③ Unlike the contemporary false prophets, who differed in their messages by flattering the powerful and the rich according to their own interests, they were for the poor and the oppressed and pointed out the sins of the nation only according to God’s justice, regardless of their own interests. The one who is just, true, and full of compassion (Micah 3:1-12).
④ A person who is confident and confident enough to assert that his power, justice, and talent come from God.
5. Redemption Historical Status
① A prophet who accurately predicted that the Messiah would be born around 700 B.C. (Micah 5:2).
② The first prophet to proclaim the destruction of Jerusalem (Micah 3:12).
③ A true prophet who was rejected as a false prophet by state authorities, religious leaders, and people while rebuking them for their sins (Mic. 2:6).
④ A person who greatly influenced the Reformation of Hezekiah through strong impeachment and rebuke against idolatry and immorality of the people (Mic 1:1, 9-16; 2 Chron.
⑤ The prophet who delivered the message of hope for the kingdom of God of true peace and justice that will be realized by the coming of the Messiah (Mic. 4 and 5).
⑥ A friend of the oppressed and an advocate of God for the poor.
6. Evaluation and Lessons Learned
① Micah does not end as a warning about God's judgment, but reveals various reasons for the judgment to come (Mic 2:1-11), which are like materialism, command, ambition, and pleasure-first rule. It seems to reflect modern society as it is. The figure of Micah, who proclaimed the word of God resolutely without being swept away by injustice in such a world, shows the attitude that modern Christians in the same world should live in.
② Micah rebukes the vain faith of the people and religious leaders who had religious life and rituals but lacked sincerity toward God. Indeed, a formalistic religious life without sincerity and contrite heart can never please God. Only to love and serve the Lord Jehovah God with all your heart, mind, and soul (Micah 6:6-8)
③ Micah foretells the fact that Judah in the south will inevitably be punished by God and will be destroyed just as Israel in the north was destroyed. This confidence stems from his faithfulness to Jehovah God's covenant and his unchanging love for his people. Likewise, even when we, too, face various tribulations and sufferings from time to time, we should all become believers who can overcome them with the same confidence as Micah and hope for the blessings of heaven.
7. Key scriptures
“But I am filled with power and justice and talent by the Spirit of the LORD,
I will show them the sins of Israel” (Micah 3:8).