The Minor Prophets

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The Minor Prophets
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The Minor Prophets

• Obadiah 840-830 BC
• Joel 830-750 BC
• Jonah 780-740 BC
• Hosea 765-725 BC
• Amos 760 BC
• Micah 740-700 BC

• Nahum 640-620 BC
• Zephaniah 640-609 BC
• Habakkuk 608-605 BC
• Haggai 520 BC
• Zechariah 520-480 BC
• Malachi 420-400 BC

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Micah
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Author

• Who is like Jehovah?
• Word play in 718
• Moresheth-Gath25 miles SW of Jerusalem in Judea
• Probably a suburb of Gath (110, 14)
• 17 miles away from Tekoa (Amos)
• Agricultural area

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Author

• Suffered from the hands of false prophets (26)
• Contemporary with Isaiah, Amos and Hosea
• Similarity between Isaiah 22-4 and Micah 41-3

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Micah 41-3Isaiah 22-4

• Mic 41 ESV It shall come to pass in the latter
  days that the mountain of the house of the LORD
  shall be established as the highest of the
  mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the
  hills and peoples shall flow to it,

• Isa 22 ESV It shall come to pass in the latter
  days that the mountain of the house of the LORD
  shall be established as the highest of the
  mountains, and shall be lifted up above the
  hills and all the nations shall flow to it,

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Micah 41-3Isaiah 22-4

• Mic 42 ESV and many nations shall come, and
  say "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the
  LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he
  may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his
  paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
  and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

• Isa 23 ESV and many peoples shall come, and
  say "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the
  LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he
  may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his
  paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the
  word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

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Micah 41-3Isaiah 22-4

• Mic 43 ESV He shall judge between many peoples,
  and shall decide for strong nations far away and
  they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and
  their spears into pruning hooks nation shall not
  lift up sword against nation, neither shall they
  learn war anymore

• Isa 24 ESV He shall judge between the nations,
  and shall decide disputes for many peoples and
  they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and
  their spears into pruning hooks nation shall not
  lift up sword against nation, neither shall they
  learn war anymore.

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Date

• Mic 11 ESV The word of the LORD that came to
  Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz,
  and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw
  concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
• King Jotham (750-731 BC), King Ahaz (736-715 BC),
  and King Hezekiah (715-686 BC)

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Date

• Micahs prophecies took place over a period of
  almost 50 years.
• "It is a series of messages called oracles given
  at different times, in different circumstances,
  in all probability spanning a considerable length
  of time. It is important to recognize this if we
  are going to make any sense out of what Micah is
  saying" (Stuart Briscoe).

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HISTORICAL SETTING

• A. Micah was a contemporary with Isaiah, Amos,
  and Hosea for at least for part of his ministry
• B. Tiglath-pileser had conquered all of northern
  Syria by 740 (the date of Uzziahs death)
• 1. He conquered the Aramean city-state of Hamath
• 2. He forced all small kingdoms, including Israel
  under Menahem to pay tribute (2 Kings 1519f) and
  Judah under Azariah (Uzziah)
• 3. He entered Palestine in 734 B.C., set up a
  base of operations at the River of Egypt. Many
  small states rebelled against him including
  Israel in the Syro-Ephraimite war (733 B.C.).

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HISTORICAL SETTING

• 4. Judah would not participate in the
  Syro-Ephraimite coalition. The coalition
  attempted to overthrow the Davidic dynasty to
  appoint a king who would join the coalition (2
  Kings 1537 165 Isa. 71)
• 5. Isaiah exhorted Ahaz to trust in the Jehovah
  he refused and turned to Assyria (Isa. 7 2 Kings
  167-9)

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HISTORICAL SETTING

• 6. Tiglath-pileser invaded Israel and almost came
  to Judahs boarders (Isaiah 1529)
• a. Israels king--Hosea paid tribute to
  Tiglath-pileser (732)
• b. Tiglath-pileser died (727) and Hosea (who
  overtook Pikah in Israel) refused (in alliance
  with So of Egypt) to pay tribute to Shalmaneser V
  as he had to Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 174).

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HISTORICAL SETTING

• C. Assyria (Shalmaneser or his successor Sargon
  II) moved against Israel and after a three year
  siege, took the capital of Samaria (721) and
  carried the people into captivity
• D. Assyria expanded unto the northern boundary of
  Judah. Judah was also left alone when many of the
  city states of Palestine and Syria along with
  Egypt rebelled against Assyria and were put down
  in 720 B.C.
• E. Judah (under Hezekiah) joined an uprising
  along with Egypt, Edom, and Moab against Assyria
  (713-711)

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HISTORICAL SETTING

• F. Sargon (of Assyria) took Ashdod and Gath
  leaving Judah vulnerable
• G. Sargon died in 705 leading to revolt by many
  including Judah under Hezekiah along with Babylon
  (2 Kings 2012-19 Isaiah. 391-4)
• H. Sennacherib (of Assyria) retaliated in 701
  defeating Sidon, receiving tribute from Ashdod,
  Ammon, Moab, and Edom, subjugating Ashkelon and
  Ekron, and surrounding Hezekiah and forcing him
  to pay tribute (2 Kings 1813-16)
• http//www.bible.org/page.php?page_id930

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Historical Setting

• "The corrupt and idolatrous conditions reflected
  throughout the book may be related to the low ebb
  of morality and religious interest during the
  days of Ahaz" (Schultz, The Old Testament
  Speaks). "Socially and morally Judah presented a
  dark picture" at this time (Hailey). The wealthy
  coveted the land of the people around them (Micah
  21-2). They robbed the poor (Micah 28f).
  Corrupt business ethics were practiced (Micah
  611). There were numerous false prophets (Micah
  211) who prophesied for reward (Micah 311). The
  priests also taught for a price (Micah 311).
  Rulers and judges could be bribed (Micah 73).

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Historical Setting

• The people were religious, but it was an empty
  ceremonialism.
• "Religion had become a matter of form ceremonial
  observances were thought to meet all religious
  requirements. There was widespread
  misapprehension that as long as the external acts
  of worship were scrupulously performed the people
  were entitled to the divine favor and protection"
  (Homer Hailey).
• "The people have replaced heartfelt worship with
  empty ritual, thinking that this is all God
  demands. They have divorced God's standards of
  justice from their daily dealings in order to
  cover their unscrupulous practices" (The Expanded
  Open Bible).

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Character of the Book

• Micah is a good mix of Hosea and Amos
• At times, tender and caring
• Other times, rough and straightforward
• Marked with puns
• Gath (110) sounds like the Hebrew word for tell,
  so it's as if he were saying, "Tell it not in
  Tell City."
• Also in 110 he writes, "In Beth-le-aphrah (house
  of dust) roll yourself in the dust."
• Zaanan (111) means "going out," so he is saying,
  "Those of you in 'Go Out City' will not go out."

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Outline of Micah

• I. Micah 1 1-213 --The coming judgment, with a
  promise of restoration
• II. Micah 31-515 -- God's condemnation of
  Israel, with a glimpse of the future hope
• III. Micah 61-720 -- God's indictment of
  Israel, with a plea for repentance and promise of
  forgiveness -

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Micah 11-213

• 1 -- Inscription
• 2-4 Introduction to the address
• The nations of the earth are summoned together to
  listen to the announcement

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5-7 Judgment on Israel for their sin

• Transgression (v. 5) meaning apostasy
• Judgment is brought on the whole of Israel
• Samaria and Jerusalem are used as centers of the
  problem
• Omri (Ahabs son) had erected a temple to Baal (I
  Kings 1632)
• Jerusalem had problems with idolatry even when
  they had good kings

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5-7 Judgment on Israel for their sin

• Samaria would be a heap (v.6)
• Samaria (the capital) stood on a hilly platform
  with a steep decent on each side.
• When it was destroyed, they threw the foundation
  stones over the edge and down into the valley
  below.
• Still seen today, with vines climbing up them

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5-7 Judgment on Israel for their sin

• The destruction of idolatry (v. 7)
• The phrase all her wages (ESV) means wages of
  prostitution
• God always viewed idolatry as spiritual
  fornication (as the rest of verse carries out the
  allusion).

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8-9 Micah mourns the punishment also extending to
Judah

• Three outward signs on mourning
• Wail- to beat the breast
• Stripped and naked- meant to convey the idea of a
  captive being taken away
• Lamentation of the Jackal/ Ostrich known for the
  howling and screeching. Sounds of sorrow
• Micah realizes that the same sin condemning
  Israel is affecting Judah

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10-15 The judgment on Judah exemplified by
certain cities

• Gath
• Beth-le-aphrah
• Shaphir
• Zaanan
• Beth-ezel
• Maroth

• Lachish
• Moresheth-gath
• Achzib
• Mareshah
• Adullam

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16 Call to Zion to mourn for her punishment

• Cutting the hair was not accepted under the law,
  except in times of mourning.
• This is looking forward to the Babylonian
  Captivity for Judah

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Ch 21-5 Recounting of sins which they are guilty
of

• (v. 1)Not led into it by another, but devise it
  themselves
• Recognize the might makes right rule
• (v. 2) Oppression for possessions (land) compare
  Naboth and Ahab
• (v. 3) Sin is followed by punishment
• (v. 4) the enemy will taunt them with a song
  based on their own lamenting.

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Ch 21-5 Recounting of sins which they are guilty
of

• (v. 5) Because of their injustice, they will not
  be given a line
• Line- measuring line used to divide the land
• The message is that they will lose their right to
  the land

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Ch. 26-11 The Application to Individuals

• (v. 6) The false prophets
• (v. 7) Gods word is good for those who follow it
• (v. 8) Strip those in debt (pledge their robe)
  violently.
• (v.9) dealt with widows and orphans treacherously
• (v. 10) They will be banished from the land,
  Arise ye, and depart.

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Ch. 26-11 The Application to Individuals

• (v. 11) utter wind and lies (ESV)
• Wind being everything vain and useless
• preach to you of wine and strong drink (ESV)
  one who teaches all the temporal blessings of
  Godmaterial prosperity.
• This is the picture of what the people will
  listen to

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Ch. 2 12-13 Promise of Restoration and
Deliverance

• (v. 12) assembleboth Israel and Jacob
• (v. 13) the breaker (KJV) Messianic
• Mic 213 ESV He who opens the breach goes up
  before them they break through and pass the
  gate, going out by it. Their king passes on
  before them, the LORD at their head.

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31-4 Sins of the Rulers and their punishment

• (v. 1) Leadership should know justice
• (v. 2) Not shepherds but butchers
• (v. 3) People treated like cattle by their
  leaders
• (v. 4) The merciless will not receive mercy when
  judgment comes

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35-8 Sins of the false prophets

• (v. 5) Prophets for hire, by providing meals
  (food)
• (v. 6) The leaders will have no prophet to lead
  them in the coming times of distress
• (v. 7) They (false prophets) will be ashamed when
  their prophesies prove to be false
• (v. 8) Contrast of Micah whose message is from
  God.

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39-12 Review of the sins of these three groups

• Mic 311 ESV Its heads give judgment for a
  bribe its priests teach for a price its
  prophets practice divination for money yet they
  lean on the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD in the
  midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us."

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41-5 The future glory of the temple

• (V. 1) Butconnecting the thought about the
  destruction of Jerusalem and the temple itself
• (v. 1) The house of Lord will be established
  again in the latter days
• It will be lifted high so that all can see it
• (v. 2) People will want to be part of it, and it
  is not limited to one nation

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41-5 The future glory of the temple

• (v. 3-4) The effectuniversal peace
• (v. 5) Unity is the secret to peace
• Mic 45 ESV For all the peoples walk each in the
  name of its god, but we will walk in the name of
  the LORD our God forever and ever.

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46-7 All Israel is to be included

• Mic 46-7 ESV In that day, declares the LORD, I
  will assemble the lame and gather those who have
  been driven away and those whom I have afflicted
  (7) and the lame I will make the remnant, and
  those who were cast off, a strong nation and the
  LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion from this
  time forth and forevermore.
• Remnant principle

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48-10 The kingdom shall be revived

• Mic 410 ESV Writhe and groan, O daughter of
  Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go
  out from the city and dwell in the open country
  you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be
  rescued there the LORD will redeem you from the
  hand of your enemies.
• God will bring the people back

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411-13 Zion overcomes all enemies with the
strength of God

• Mic 413 ESV Arise and thresh, O daughter of
  Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will
  make your hoofs bronze you shall beat in pieces
  many peoples and shall devote their gain to the
  LORD, their wealth to the Lord of the whole
  earth.
• Horns symbolize power

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51-4 A Messiah shall be born

• Mic 52 ESV But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who
  are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
  from you shall come forth for me one who is to be
  ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of
  old, from ancient days.

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51-4 A Messiah shall be born

• (v. 3) He will give them up in captivity, until
  the time is right to bring forth the Messiah
• (v. 4) the Messiah will lead them

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55-6 There will be peach under his rule

• Mic 55 ESV And he shall be their peace. When
  the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in
  our palaces, then we will raise against him seven
  shepherds and eight princes of men

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57-9 The people under the Messiah will have a
mission too

• (v. 7) They will refresh those in other nations
• (v. 8) They shall be a power among the nations

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510-15 The Messiah will change everything

• He will destroy the need for military instruments
  of war
• He will destroy idolatry
• He will punish those who did not obey

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61-5 Israels ingratitude

• (v. 1-2) the call to listen
• Mic 63 ESV "O my people, what have I done to
  you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!
• God recounts some of what He has done.

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66-8 Israel asks how to please God

• Mic 66-8 ESV "With what shall I come before the
  LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I
  come before him with burnt offerings, with calves
  a year old? (7) Will the LORD be pleased with
  thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers
  of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my
  transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin
  of my soul?"
• (8) He has told you, O man, what is good and
  what does the LORD require of you but to do
  justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly
  with your God?

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69-12 God rebukes Israel

• Mic 611-12 ESV Shall I acquit the man with
  wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful
  weights? (12) Your rich men are full of
  violence your inhabitants speak lies, and their
  tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
• Scales and dishonest business practices
• Violence and lies

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613-16 God threatens punishment for these sins

• Mic 614-15 ESV You shall eat, but not be
  satisfied, and there shall be hunger within you
  you shall put away, but not preserve, and what
  you preserve I will give to the sword. (15) You
  shall sow, but not reap you shall tread olives,
  but not anoint yourselves with oil you shall
  tread grapes, but not drink wine.
• Work but not get anything for it

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71-6 Israel acknowledges their sin

• Mic 72 ESV The godly has perished from the
  earth, and there is no one upright among mankind
  they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts
  the other with a net.

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77-13 Israel expresses faith in God

• Mic 77 ESV But as for me, I will look to the
  LORD I will wait for the God of my salvation my
  God will hear me.
• Israel recognizes that through punishment God
  will be faithful to his promises

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714-17 Micah prays for the people

• Mic 718 ESV Who is a God like you, pardoning
  iniquity and passing over transgression for the
  remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain
  his anger forever, because he delights in
  steadfast love.
• Mic 719 ESV He will again have compassion on
  us he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You
  will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

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