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A SURVEY OF THE MAJOR AND MINOR PROPHETS - MICAH

Historical Background of the Book.  After the Assyrians destroyed the Northern Kingdom in 720, they threatened the Southern Kingdom, most notably around 711 B.C. and 701 B.C.

The Author and the Audience. Micah's name means "Who is like Jehovah?". He was the son of Monesheth. Scholars are divided whether this is a reference to his father or to the village about 15 miles SW of Jerusalem.His audience included both Samaria (the capital city of Israel before they fell to the Assyrians) and Jerusalem (the capital city of Judah). Micah's prophetic role lasted from about 735 B.C. to about 700 B.C., overlapping Isaiah's timeframe.

Outline/Major Themes. The book of Micah is written in typical prophetic style:

bulletCh. 1 Coming punishment for both Israel and Judah. In the near future, this would occur at the hands of the Assyrians. About 120 years after that, Judah would be conquered by the Babylonians.
bulletCh. 2-3 Reasons for the punishment given: greed, false prophets, violent injustice, bribery, and idolatry.
bulletCh. 4-5 Prophesy of future restoration and glory.
bulletCh. 6 God's indictment of His people.
bulletCh. 7 Need for righteousness, confession of sin, and the Lord's mercies.

Messages for Christians. As with the book of Hosea, the book of Micah echoes similar lessons for Christians:

bulletNeed for repentance (Acts 17:30-31)
bullet"Sunday Christians" - Observing religious ceremonies is pointless without having the right attitude and living a life of constant righteousness (Matt. 15:7-9; 23:23)
bulletBirth of the King in Bethlehem (Ch. 5:1-4 with Matt. 2:1-6; Luke 2)

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