Getting to Know the ProphetsSample

Micah

Just like the courtroom dramas we watch on television, the book of Micah reads like a court trial against the nation of Israel for their sin and rebellion against the righteous judge, Yahweh.

Long after Israel had divided into two kingdoms in the eighth century BC, God spoke through a prophet named Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. Though he likely hailed from Judah, Micah prophesied to both kingdoms.

Micah warned the Israelites of the coming judgment, accusing them of rejecting God’s covenant by worshipping idols. He assigned guilt to their ignorance, pride, and lack of mercy. By rejecting God, they had instead chosen to fulfill their own selfish desires. Micah called out the leaders (priests, elders, rulers) for leading the people astray with their deceit, greed, and pride.

God's righteous judgment would be carried out in response to their continued sin and rebellion. The Assyrian Empire would wipe out the Northern Kingdom of Israel and part of the capital of the Southern Kingdom, Jerusalem (in 722 BC). Micah also prophesied the Babylonian empire would bring even more destruction to the Southern Kingdom of Judah (in 586 BC) and send the Israelites into exile. But thankfully, this court case was not over.

1. Do you think that God’s judgment was righteous (in the right) against the Israelites?

2. Does this change your view of our “loving” God?

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your righteous judgment and mercy in dealing with my stubborn patterns of sin.