S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Author: The author of the Book of Micah was the Prophet Micah (Micah 1:1).Date of Writing: The Book of Micah was likely written between 735 and 700 B.C.Purpose of Writing: The message of the Book o...

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November 15 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

The book of Micah is one of the writing prophets’ books. According to Micah 1:1, Micah’s prophetic ministry was in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, when the northern kingdom of Israel was taken by Assyria.

Micah means “who is like Yah?” or “who is like the LORD?” An interesting observation is that the meaning of the name of the writing prophet is a way to understand the book he wrote. This question is answered in that there is no one like the Lord.

No one is like the Lord who prophesies retribution, Micah 1-3. This prophet had God’s message for everyone whether prophet, priest, prince, or the people. In Micah 1:10-15, Micah used puns or play on words (paronomasia) to show the march of God’s judgment on the towns and villages.

Gath - “Tell” it not in “Tell,” as David lamented upon the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, I Samuel 1:20.
Beth-le-aphrah - “House of Dust.” In mourning, they will roll in dust.
Shaphir – “Beautiful,” The inhabitants will pass by in naked shame as prisoners. 
Zaanan - “Going Out.” They do not leave because of a siege.
Beth-ezel - “Adjoining house.” They will mourn because the neighboring house is taken away thus losing support they need.
Maroth – “Bitterness.” The inhabitants will yearn for anything good.
Jerusalem – “Possession of Peace,” It will instead be disastrous for the city. 
Lachish – “Swift Horses.” Instead of fighting, the inhabitants will harness the steeds to chariots to flee.
Moresheth-gath – “Possession of Gath.” They are to give farewell presents or dowry to Gath who will be conquered by foreigners.
Achzib – “Lie.” Their houses shall fall quickly becoming a deception to Israel who was dependent on it.
Mareshah – “Heir.” God will bring an heir from foreigners to its inhabitants. 
Adullam – “Resting place,” The glory of Israel shall come in judgment to them, instead of being a place of refuge as in David’s day, II Samuel 22:1, 23:13.

No one is like the Lord who promises restoration, Micah 4-5. His future kingdom is described in Micah 4:1-4. Then Judah’s Messiah, who existed in eternity past, will come from Bethlehem, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6. In the power of God, He shall be shepherding His flock, Micah 5:4. 

No one is like the Lord who pleads for repentance, Micah 6-7. Throughout the book are the calls to “hear,” 1:2, 3:1, 3:9, 6:1, 9. Eleven times in the book, “Jacob” is used for the nation of Israel. Jacob was his earthly name before being renamed Israel, Genesis 32:8. Micah speaks to the earthly nation of Jacob. He tells what the Lord requires of His people, Micah 6:8. God is the only one to turn to, Micah 7:7. 

Micah used his own name to climax his writing, Micah 7:18-20. God is the incomparable, matchless God, who will pardon, pass over, and cast away all sins of those who are His people, because He is a merciful and compassionate God. All must truly confess, “Who is like the Lord?”

June 24 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

After reading the Book of Micah my opinion is as follows:
What is the book of Micah?

The book of Micah candidly portrays the wrongs of Israel and Judah. While foretelling desolation for Samaria and Jerusalem on account of their transgressions (Mic 1:5-9; 3:9-12), it also contains promises of restoration and divine blessings to follow.​—4:1-8; 5:7-9; 7:15-17.

The 60 years of Micah’s prophetic activity lie between those of Obadiah and Jonah, stretching from 777 B.C.E. to 717 B.C.E. All that Micah relates about himself is that he is “of [the village] Moresheth” and that Jehovah’s word occurred to him “in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” (Micah 1:1) The prophet’s familiarity with rural life is evident in the type of illustrations he uses to stress the points of his message.

Micah was a contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah. Micah declared messages against the nations of Judah and Israel during the reigns of Judaean Kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, in the eighth century B.C.E. Extreme moral corruption and idolatry had defiled Israel to the north, which suffered destruction when Samaria fell to the Assyrians in 740 B.C.E. Judah wavered between obedience and unfaithfulness to Jehovah. Despite foreboding events, Micah could draw comfort in seeing his God-given message temporarily stall Judah’s plunge into spiritual corruption and eventual disaster. 

Micah lived in dangerous and significant times. Fast-moving events were foreboding doom for the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Moral corruption and idolatry had gone to seed in Israel, and this brought the nation destruction from Assyria, evidently during Micah’s own lifetime. Judah swung from doing right in the reign of Jotham to duplicating Israel’s wickedness in Ahaz’ rebellious reign and then to a recovery during the reign of Hezekiah. Jehovah raised up Micah to warn His people strongly of what He was bringing upon them. Micah’s prophecies served to corroborate those of Isaiah and Hosea.​—2 Ki. 15:32–20:21; 2 - Centuries afterward, the Jewish chief priests and scribes, on the basis of Micah’s prophecy, confidently stated that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. (Mt 2:3-6; compare Mic 5:2.) The fulfillment of prophecies respecting Samaria, Jerusalem, and the Messiah, or Christ, stamp this book as being inspired of God. Noteworthy, too, is the fact that Jesus’ words about a man’s enemies being persons of his household parallel Micah 7:6.​—Mt 10:21, 35, 36.

Micah 7:1-3. Micah realised that he could not personally change these conditions. So, what could he do? He tells us: “As for me, I will keep on the lookout for Jehovah. I will show a waiting attitude [“I will wait patiently,” ftn.] for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” (Mic. 7:7) Like Micah, we too need to have “a waiting attitude.”

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