Thabiti Anyabwile
Micah begins with his own introduction (1:1).
Prophet of the LORD – Micah identifies himself as one who received the word of the LORD, just like the other Old Testament prophets.
From Moresheth – a small town about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Micah was called from the countryside into the capital to proclaim God’s word.
Length of Ministry – His ministry spanned the reigns of three kings of Judah:
Jotham (750–735 BC)
Ahaz (735–715 BC)
Hezekiah (715–687 BC)
This means his ministry stretched 20–25 years, at a crucial time in Judah’s history.
Micah’s name itself—“Who is like Yahweh”—sets the theme for the whole book. At the end (7:18), he concludes with that very idea:
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
Micah ministered during a time of great political upheaval. The northern kingdom had already fallen to Assyria. Jerusalem itself was under threat, with Assyria pressing right to its gates. Micah was a contemporary of prophets like Isaiah and Hosea, and his words carry the same urgency.
The book of Micah revolves around two great themes:
Judgment – God is just, and Judah’s covenant-breaking calls forth his wrath.
Mercy – God is also forgiving, promising restoration and hope for his people.
Micah condemns Judah for two chief sins:
Idolatry – Worshiping false gods on the high places.
Injustice – Leaders, priests, and prophets oppressing the weak, using their power for personal gain.
God responds with judgment, often through the Assyrians. But alongside judgment runs the promise of forgiveness: God will not finally abandon his people but will restore them.
Micah is structured in three cycles of judgment followed by hope:
Charges: Idolatry in Samaria and Judah (1:2–16). God will crush idols and cities alike.
Judgment: Assyria will devastate the land, surrounding Jerusalem.
Hope: God promises to gather his people like a shepherd (2:12–13).
Charges: Leaders devour the people like cannibals (3:1–3). Prophets preach for profit. Justice is abandoned.
Judgment: God condemns corrupt rulers and false prophets.
Hope:
Chapter 4 – God will establish his temple and gather the nations to true worship.
Chapter 5 – Out of Bethlehem will come a shepherd-king: the Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (5:2–5).
Charges: God brings his covenant lawsuit against Judah. They have ignored his requirements.
Key Verse: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (6:8)
Hope: God promises restoration (7:14–20). He will forgive sins, cast them into the sea, and show compassion again.
How do we preach Christ from Micah?
Direct Prophecy – Micah 5:2 is fulfilled in Jesus, born in Bethlehem. He is the true shepherd-king who brings peace (cf. Eph. 2:14).
Covenant Fulfillment – Israel failed to keep covenant (6:8). Jesus perfectly fulfilled it as the true Israel, living humbly, justly, and mercifully.
True Prophet, Priest, and King – In contrast to Judah’s corrupt leaders, Jesus is the faithful ruler, the true prophet who is God’s Word made flesh, and the priest who gave himself as the sacrifice.
Gathering the Nations – Micah 4 shows the nations streaming to the mountain of the LORD, pointing to the global mission of the gospel.
Grace Greater Than Sin – Each cycle ends in mercy. Romans 5:8 echoes Micah’s theme: God demonstrates his love through Christ’s death for sinners.
The message of Micah is clear: God is both just and merciful. He judges sin, yet he pardons iniquity. His justice and mercy meet in Jesus Christ, who is our peace.
When you preach Micah, highlight both themes—judgment and mercy—and show how they are fulfilled in Christ. Because truly:
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?” (Micah 7:18)