Bible Study Notes on Micah

The Minor Prophets Bible Study IV: Micah

February 2, 2012

BMC- Micah

Opening Question: Famous and/or Unusual Court Cases

Background

Call: 1:1 says the word of the Lord came in visions. summoned by ‘a quite a tangible life-transforming experience’ (Miller 126) & ‘I am full of strength (full of Yahweh’s spirit) of the sense of right, of energy to accuse Jacob of his crime and Israel of his sin.” (Miller 126)

When: Classical (8^th Cent Prophet), last quarter of 8^th Century (HCSB 1379), 722-701 BCE (White 61)

Where: South of Jerusalem, Judah (Miller 124-125)

To Whom: Israel and Jerusalem, Exploitative Military Officers, Uncaring Elders. ‘loyal Israelites’ (Miller 130-131)

Characteristics: (What do you notice about the style of the book)

- First to predict downfall of Jerusalem

- Reason/announcement oracles

- Lament/funeral lament

- Covenant lawsuit

- Words of hope mixed in throughout

Relationship with Kings & Others: “Three Judean Kings, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah” primarily Hezekiah (Miller 126) No definite relationship, but spoke against powerful leaders so prob. Not too good with Gov’t.

Important Events:

- Moresheth-Gath (Micah’s hometown) “This location is significant because it is precisely where the Assyrian king Sennacherib concentrated his attack against Judah at the time of Hezekiah’s revolt in 701BCE. It enables us to understand that Micah was a war refugee, who had to flee his home for Jerusalem as the Assyrians advanced. (Sweeney 192).

Outline: (Sweeney pg. 194)

I. Superscription (1:1)

II. Announcement of YHWH’s exaltation of Jerusalem Proper (1:2-7:20)

A. YHWH’s punishment of Samaria as paradigm for Jerusalem (1:2-16)

B. Process of punishment and restoration for Jerusalem: Babylonian exile, new Davidic monarch to punish oppressive nations (2:1-5:14)

1. Concerning the process of punishment (2:1-13)

2. Concerning YHWH’s plans to punish and exalt Jerusalem (3:1-5:14)

C. Appeal to Israel/Judah for return to YHWH (6:1-16)

D. Liturgical psalm of confidence in YHWH (7:1-20)

Observations by Chapter: (Note observations make or questions you have as you read the book.)

Micah 1: Call of Micah, directed to Samaria and Jerusalem, The Lord has made accusations against them.1:14 ref. to Moresheth-gath.

Micah 2: Destruction to come, People are resistant to claims, They have brought this on themselves.

Micah 3: Leaders are the problem, False prophets will struggle, Micah is filled with power, Problems with: Leaders, Rulers, priests, prophets – they are the cause of the destruction. 3:12 quoted by Jeremiah 26:18.

Micah 4: Centrality of temple, People seeking the teaching of God, God desires peace, promises of restoration. Isaiah 2:4 plowshares same as Micah 4:3

Micah 5: A ruler will come Bethlehem (see Matt 2:6), God will destroy all that which is not of Him,

Micah 6: The trial, God makes His case, the people ask what they can do, All the Lord requires is to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. Dishonest practices, economic sanctions.

Micah 7: God laments, Turn to the Lord for help, take punishment and then trust in the Lord, Rebuilding, Showing Mercy.

Themes/Issues: (Note the major themes and issues the prophet addresses.)

- Disaster is coming

- Ethical Issues

- Religious Worship without social justice was meaningless

- Divine forgiveness and hope

- The crimes and punishments of Jacob

- the remnant of Israel becoming a mighty Nation.

- Gave the Israelites a lot and they aren’t using it to help others.

So What? (Having read the prophet, what do his words have to teach us today?)

- Syncretism in our midst of culture and faith

- How do we best confront ‘evil’ wrongs like those of Israel?

- 7:13 – the bad is a result of their deeds. (Climate Change?)