Micah 1:2 Hearken, O Earth
Let us remember that we are set back over one hundred years before the time of Jonah, our last book and are in about the same period as that of Hosea and Amos (compare the first verse here with that in Hosea) with just 36 chapters to finish out the Old Testament.
It is suggested that Micah was part of a prophetic triumvirate with Isaiah handling Jerusalem, Micah covered his home vicinity which was about 30 miles S.W. of there, near Gath on the Philistine border and Hosea doing the northern kingdom, all in about the same period. There was certainly a marked contrast between Ahaz and Hezekiah giving Micah lots of fodder for his biggest guns.
In rightly dividing the Word of truth there are certain rules that must be observed and we are trying desperately to stay the course while wading through these minor prophets. We must not be discouraged if the message seems to lack variety (with a few exceptions like Jonah). The time frame changes a bit and the audience varies, but the prophet’s calling stays pretty much the same. If we were better acquainted with the idioms of the period it would help. For example, for Micah to say he will go "stripped and naked" (v.8) to us seems a bit wild, but actually according to J.F.B. stripped means barefooted and naked is from the waist up - there, that helps, doesn’t it?
He starts with the capital cities of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms where obviously conditions are the worst (v.5). Micah lived to see his prophecies about Samaria fulfilled (v.6). Idolatry was always a major topic. "Don’t tell the Philistines in Gath, but things are getting really bad among my people in Jerusalem as well" (v.10).
The places mentioned in verses 10-15 are in west Judah according to Halley’s Bible Handbook in Micah’s own home territory and were devastated by the Assyrians along with the overthrow of the Northern Kingdom.
From His holy temple (in heaven) God is still a witness to the evil and will one day tread upon the high places of the earth in judgement (vs.2-4).
Micah 2:13 The Breaker is Come
Micah speaks against the wicked leaders who lie awake at night thinking of what evil they may do tomorrow. Like in the case of Naboth, it is in their power to take what they want and they care not about removing the ancient landmarks. Whether it was the land hungry hordes of barbarians who forced their way across Europe or the English medieval barons who sallied forth from their castles to spoil their weaker brethren, there have always been those who look at the lands of others with envy.
This is the epitome of covetousness but it boils down to the sinful and selfish heart of any who lust after that which belongs legally to another. When it is the "power of their hand" they will usually "practice it" (v.1). The admonition to the child of God is found in the simple words of Hebrews 13:5 against covetousness, to "be content with such things as ye have." The 10th commandment covers it all when it sums up, "nor anything that is thy neighbor’s" (Ex.20:17).
The town fathers or perhaps the false prophets didn’t like having this young upstart religious fanatic reminding them of their wrong-doings. "Prophesy ye not" said they, and Micah was quick to tell them "I am not really your problem – it is the LORD that you must deal with – it is not the ones who are doing right that are bothered by my words," (v.7), as he tells them what God thought of some of their actions.
Micah closes this chapter by interjecting, as prophets usually did, the promise of deliverance. Most commentators see the term "breaker" as a reference to the Lord Jesus. Matthew Henry says "He (Christ) is the breaker, that broke in upon the powers of darkness and broke through them, that rent the veil, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. The learned Bishop Pearson applies it to the resurrection of Christ, etc."
Micah 3:8 I Am Full of Power
The "and" of this first verse shows that Micah was in the middle of one of his messages decrying the sins of Israel. We are sure that this man was no hireling prophet and it was probable that all he got for his faithful service was the scorn of his hearers as we saw in 2:6. On the other hand, however, his denunciation of the leadership accurately recorded their sins of meaningless service, "The heads thereof judge for reward and the priests thereof teach for hire and the prophets thereof divine for money."
How thankful we should be when we have leaders in our churches who, though they are supported by the tithes and offerings of the people, serve the Lord from the heart. While there certainly are ministers who are in the pastorate for what they can get out of it rather than put into it, in our fundamental churches I believe they are few. It is probably quite evident when a man serves half-heartedly, doesn’t study and reads his sermon from a publisher.
We should be faithful in praying for our pastors, though they may have the best of intentions, for even so it is quite possible to be serving the Lord in the flesh rather than in the Spirit. Listen to how Paul puts it, "For though we walk in the flesh (body) we do not war after the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds:) casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought to the captivity of Christ;" (II Cor. 10:3-5), he makes it clear here as in Ephesians 6:12 that serving the Lord is a battle with its definite terms of engagement.
It would seem that Micah knew something of this truth as he indicates in verse 8 "but truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD" as with judgement and might he battled against the sin of his people.
Micah 4:4 Every Man under His Vine
Though Assyria was in the meridian height of her power in Micah’s day, he, being the true prophet of Jehovah as he was, looked forward to Judah’s captivity under Babylon and to its restoration (v.10); "and thou shalt go even to Babylon: there shalt thou be delivered." "Cyrus again being the type of the greater Deliverer who shall finally restore Israel" (J.F.B.).
For now the taunting question may be asked, "Is there no king in thee?" True they would "abide many days without a king and without a prince, and without a sacrifice" etc. as indicated by Hosea 3:4 but there would be the blessed "afterward" (v.5) and it is that theme of which Micah writes especially in this chapter as he exultingly declares "and the LORD shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even for ever" (v.7).
Let brother Joel enlist the nations in preparing armaments for war by beating their plowshares into swords and their pruning hooks into spears as he seeks to stir the mighty men for the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:8-17) but here, says Micah, we will focus on the positive when "nation shall not lift up a sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more" (4:3).
It is a strong case that J.F.B. makes for Micah being the author of these great words occurring here instead of Isaiah, his better known contemporary (Isa.2:2-4) but it is certain that one copied the other. As we shall see in chapter five Micah could certainly be original.
Let us say that it was indeed Micah who turned Joel’s words around (v.3) and spoke those ripe words of promise, "they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree and none shall make them afraid" (v.4). As we walk with Micah in Jerusalem in the LORD’s paths and learn of His ways we will have to ask him if we were right.
Micah 5:2 Out of Thee
True, it is just a little town but Bethlehem is the most important place in the whole world for it is the location chosen by the Heavenly Father for His Son to be born. There is absolutely, undeniably no spot on earth so blessed as that sacred stall and feeding trough where Mary laid her precious infant boy-child Jesus.
When Herod demanded of the chief priests and scribes of the people where the King, sought by the wise men, indeed would be born (Matt.2:4), they answered without hesitation, why, Bethlehem, of course, citing this very text as proof. If Herod’s hair was not already curled, it must have been when he heard the news "for out of thee (Bethlehem) shall come forth a Governor that shall rule my people Israel."
The next news from our special little Judean town would wrench the heartstrings of the parents of every newborn who hover over their little ones watching for the least sign of trouble. It was that a horrible blood bath had occurred and a jealous tyrant king had called for a general slaughter of all the babies in Bethlehem and for miles around. For years and perhaps generations would anyone reading Micah’s prophecy think that it was anything but a blessing to have been born there!
When Jacob thought of Bethlehem all he could think of was the tomb of his dearest Rachel. "O little town of Ephrath, I would sooner forget you" (Gen.48:7). Speak to the Levite of this little town and he will likely tell you such a tale of woe as you have not heard in a long time (Judges 19). Talk to Naomi, now bereft of husband and two sons and she will have little good to say except, "call me Mara" as she bitterly retraces her steps to a lonely existence in the little town. Or so she thought.
Soon a son would be born that would be her heir, Obed by name and to him one named Jessie. Yes this is to be David’s city. Things are looking up. – Very far up.
Micah 6:1 Hear Ye Now
As we see from this chapter, the righteousness of the LORD is not really any more demanding in one testament than the other. We are all the LORD’s people and His requirements of us are pretty straightforward. He wants us to remember what He has done for us (v.4) and it is sad to realize how ungrateful Israel was, but how few believers today are willing to acknowledge that they have been "bought with a price" and belong to God?
There is really little difference in our position in Christ and that affirmed by Balaam (v.5) when the Spirit testified through him that God "hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob" (Num.23:21). But grace is not a license to do as we please.
Like David in the 51st Psalm Micah saw clearly that what God really wants is a "broken and contrite heart" rather than "thousands of rams" (v.7). It is "not by works of righteousness which we have done" (Titus 3:5), but rather the giving of His Firstborn for our transgressions (v.7) that has prevailed.
And what is it that the LORD requires of us as believers (v.8)? That we be honest in our dealings with others. We are not to lie one to another. We are instructed to put on "bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering" (Col.3:9-13). Simply put, love covers it all.
As to Micah’s conclusion about fruitfulness, we read in II Peter 1:8 that "if these things be in (us) and abound" we will not be barren Christians.
"Hear ye now what the LORD saith", I think this is pretty close to where we came in.
Micah 7:9 I Shall Behold His Righteousness
Here we have Micah’s last vision recorded for us by the Holy Spirit and it is classic. I cannot do better than to give the summary as found at the beginning of J.F.B.’s commentary as usual. Here it is exactly as seen there, even with the large case letters.
"CHAP. VII. 1-20. - THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE CORRUPTION -THE CHOSEN REMNANT, DRIVEN FROM EVERY HUMAN CONFIDENCE, TURNS TO GOD-TRIUMPHS BY FAITH OVER HER ENEMIES – IS COMFORTED BY GOD’S PROMISES IN ANSWER TO PRAYER, AND BY THE CONFUSION OF HER ENEMIES, AND SO BREAKS FORTH INTO PRAISES OF GOD’S CHARACTER." Volume IV Jeremiah – Malachi by the Rev. A.R. Faussett, A.M.
The first picture is that ugly feature of three leaders conspiring to carry out evil intentions, the "prince," the "judge" and the "great man." How discouraging for one who is trying to do right and cannot find any leader that he can trust for "there is none upright among men." "So they wrap it up" (v.3).
It is interesting that the Lord Jesus picked up on Micah’s very words here in verse 6 as He described the price many would have to pay in taking up the cross to follow Him (Matt.10:36-38). One in our culture might find it hard to commiserate with a convert from Islam in his feelings of such total rejection but this is obviously how Micah felt. Not a friend, not even a wife could be trusted, only God.
But, praise God, He will hear me (v.7). He will be a light to me (v.8). He will turn again and have compassion upon us and will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (v.19). Who is a pardoning God like thee? Now where have I heard that before? It sounds like a good theme for a song about Jehovah.
Here we have Micah’s last vision recorded for us by the Holy Spirit and it is classic. I cannot do better than to give the summary as found at the beginning of J.F.B.’s commentary as usual. Here it is exactly as seen there, even with the large case letters.As we see from this chapter, the righteousness of the LORD is not really any more demanding in one testament than the other. We are all the LORD’s people and His requirements of us are pretty straightforward. He wants us to remember what He has done for us (v.4) and it is sad to realize how ungrateful Israel was, but how few believers today are unwilling to acknowledge that they have been "bought with a price" and belong to God?True, it is just a little town but Bethlehem is the most important place in the whole world for it is the location chosen by the Heavenly Father for His Son to be born. There is absolutely, undeniably no spot on earth so blessed as that sacred stall and feeding trough where Mary laid her precious infant boy-child Jesus.Though Assyria was in the meridian height of her power in Micah’s day, he, being the true prophet of Jehovah as he was, looked forward to Judah’s captivity under Babylon and to its restoration (v.10); "and thou shalt go even to Babylon: there thou shalt thou be delivered." "Cyrus again being the type of the greater Deliverer who shall finally restore Israel" (J.F.B.).The "and" of this first verse shows that Micah was in the middle of one of his messages decrying the sins of Israel. We are sure that this man was no hireling prophet and it was probable that all he got for his faithful service was the scorn of his hearers as we saw in 2:6. On the other hand, however, his denunciation of the leadership accurately recorded their sins of meaningless service, "The heads thereof judge for reward and the priests thereof teach for hire and the prophets thereof divine for money."Micah speaks against the wickedleaders who lie awake at night thinking of what evil they may do tomorrow. Like in the case of Naboth, it is in their power to take what they want and they care not about removing the ancient landmarks. Whether it was the land hungry hordes of barbarians who forced their way across Europe or the English medieval barons who sallied forth from their castles to spoil their weaker brethren, there have always been those who look at the lands of others with envy.Let us remember that we are set back over one hundred years before the time of Jonah, our last book and are in about the same period as that of Hosea and Amos (compare the first verse here with that in Hosea) with just 36 chapters to finish out the Old Testament.
