Today, we continue our journey through the Bible with today’s study of Micah. I pray God shows us what He wants us to learn.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.
As we study the Bible alone or in a group setting, there are several questions we can ask ourselves to help us dig deeper. The five questions are:
- What does the scripture say about God?
- Then what does the scripture say about me?
- Does something in this passage challenge me?
- What gives me hope in this passage?
- Is anything unclear to me?
I hope these questions help you as much as they help me.
Book of Micah
- Author: Micah.
- Audience: Israel and Judah.
- Date Written: 742-687 B.C.
- Length: 7 Chapters.
- Keywords: Listen.
- Key Verses: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (6:8).
- Key People: The people of Samaria and Jerusalem.
Summary of Micah:
We can sum up the theme of Micah in two words: doom and hope. Despite judgment, there is still the possibility of deliverance. Micah also stresses that God hates idolatry, injustice, upheaval, and empty rituals, but He delights in forgiving us when we repent. The prophet condemns the rulers, priests, and prophets of Israel, who exploited and mislead God’s people.
The book of Micah provides one of the most significant prophecies of Jesus Christ’s birth in all the Old Testament. These prophecies occurred over seven hundred years before Christ’s birth.
Sections of the Book:
The book of Micah contains three significant themes, which are:
- Judgment and restoration of Israel and Judah (1-2).
- Indictment of Judah’s leaders, but a future hope for God’s people (chs.3-5).
- God’s charges against His people and the triumph of His kingdom (chs.6-7).
Messages in Micah:
God warns us so we will not have to suffer His wrath. Judgment will happen to everyone we don’t listen to God’s warnings. God provided for our sin with the sacrifice of His Son. Even as followers of Christ, we will receive discipline. But God does not discipline us not from a place of hate but out of His love for us. He knows how sin destroys the sinner, so He disciplines those He loves.
Much of Micah’s accusation against Israel and Judah involves the nations’ mistreatment of the lowly—unjust business dealings, robbery, mistreatment of women and children, and a government that lived in luxury off the hard work of its nation’s people. And we experience these same issues in our country today. We need to take heed of this message before it is too late.
Final thoughts:
And like so many other books in the Bible, we see God’s character on display in this book. They are:
- Long-suffering – 7:1.
- Merciful – 7:18, 20.
- Provident – 5:2.
- Righteous – 6:4, 5; 7:9.
- True – 7:20.
- Unified – 7:18.
- Wrathful – 7:9, 11.
Micah provides one of the most significant prophecies in the Bible, referring to Christ’s birthplace and eternality. Scribes and chief priest used this reference to answer Herold’s query about the birthplace of Jesus (Matthew 2:6). Jesus also used Micah 7:6 to explain the nature of His coming.
All Lessons from the Bible
Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn and historical information. We must study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.
2 Timothy 3:14-17; “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Prayer
Please grant me the understanding and knowledge of You and Your word. As I open my Bible to read the scriptures, it gives me wisdom and discernment. And even as I sit and listen to the pastor, preacher or apostle reveal what Your Holy Book is speaking into my life, help me see and understand. Help me know Jesus Christ and how He lived His life so I can follow in His precious footsteps.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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