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lesson 31 MICAH I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - Micah the prophet 2. Date - 750 - 723 B.C. approximately 3. Setting - Israel (the northern kingdom) whose capitol was Samaria, was close to its end. It would soon (722 B.C.) be carried away by Assyria because of continued wickedness. Judah (the southern kingdom) whose capitol was Jerusalem was not much better. Idolatry, greed, witchcraft, sorcery, injustice and every other wickedness was being practiced by "God's people." The leaders were wicked, prophets spoke lies, the people liked it that way and God was angry. II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK 1. Key Verses: 5:10-15; 6:6-8; 7:7-10; 18-20; 4:1-8 2. Theme: God sternly warned both Israel and Judah that He was going to punish them severely through Assyria and Babylon because of their long and continuous history of evil. He told them specifically the things they were doing wrong and called them to repent and to live righteously. In all the warnings and condemnation there are several promises of better days and of God's forgiveness because, even in God's wrath. God is to be the hope of His people. Several statements reveal God's plan for His kingdom and King, the Messiah. 1) Judgment is coming because: a. Of idolatry - 1:5-7 b. Of iniquity - 2:1-2 c. Of rejection of God's prophets - 2:6 d. Of evil rulers - 3:1-3 e. Of false prophets - 3:5-7 2) Judgment spelled out a. For Samaria - 1:6-7 b. On Judah - 3:12 3) Promise of restoration a. God's house to be established - 4:1-3 b. Captives to be gathered - 4:6-8 c. The Messiah - 5:1-5a III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH 1. Full of power by the Spirit of Jehovah: 3:8; Luke 4:1; 18; Acts 10:38; Colossians 2:9 2. To be Jehovah reigning in Mount Zion forever: 4:7; John 1:1-18; Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 1:19-23; Hebrews 12:23-24 3. Born in Bethlehem Ephrathah of Judah: 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6 4. To be ruler in Israel: Matthew 2:1-6 5. To be eternal: 5:2; John 8:58 6. To feed God's flock in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God: 5:4; John 6:35; 48-51; Colossians 1:19 7. To be great unto the ends of the earth: 5:4; Ephesians 1:19-23; Matthew 28:20 8. To be a man who is our peace: 5:5; Ephesians 2:14-18 9. To bring forth to the light and reveal God's righteousness: 7:9; John 1:4-5; Rom 1:16-17 IV. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS 1. God ignores the cry of His people while they continue to hate the good and love the evil: 3:1-4 2. God's spokesmen don't just speak of peace but also of sin and the need for change: 3:5-8 3. Leaning on Jehovah and claiming His presence while practicing injustice and bribery produces destruction: 3:9-12 4. Many nations - all the peoples - have always been a part of God's plan for His house: 4:1-5 5. God hates witchcraft, soothsaying, idolatry, and worship of the works of one's own hands: 5:12-13 6. Rather than sacrifices, God wants doing justly, loving-kindness and walking humbly with God: 6:8 7. In all God's dealing, even in punishment, God alone is the hope of His people: 7:1-20 MICAH QUESTIONS 1. When we are suffering where should we turn? 2. Who did God use to punish Israel? 3. Who did God use to punish Judah? 4. Did God plan to include Gentiles in His kingdom? 5. What does God require of His people? 6. Is it proper to expect God to help you if you are living in pride, greed, injustice, and idolatry while calling upon Him for help? |