Lesson # 4

Micah

Scripture Readings:

Day 1: Micah 1-2

Day 2: Micah 3

Day 3: Micah 4-5

Day 4: Micah 6

Day 5: Micah 7

Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, about the same time as Isaiah. Although contemporaries, they prophesied to very different audiences. Isaiah prophesied to royalty, Micah taught the common people. Isaiah was a courtier; Micah was from the country. Micah was called to prophesy to both the northern and southern kingdoms. The northern kingdom fell during Micah’s ministry and Judah almost fell. Micah’s name means, “Who is like Jehovah?”

1. _____ _______ ___ _____ _______ that came to _______ the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning _________ and _________________. Micah 1:1

Unlike Amos, who first pronounced judgment on Israel’s wicked neighbors, Micah cuts to the quick and deals with Israel (Samaria) and Judah (Jerusalem) immediately. Israel would be judged first (1:6-7, see 2 Kings 17). Judah’s judgment would come 130 years later (see 2 Kings 25).

2. Quote Micah 1:2 here. __________________________________________________

Israel and Judah’s sins were public ones, so the God of heaven dealt with them publicly. He invites the nations of the earth to witness the judgment of the Lord against His children. Have you ever had to discipline your own child in front of a bible class, or worse yet, in front of the whole congregation? We would be hypocrites if we corrected the other children and not our own.

3. And the ____________ _______ ____ _________ under him, and the _________ _______ ____ _______, as _____ before the _______, and as the ________ that are _________ _______ a steep place. Micah 1:4

4. What natural disasters are described in verse 4?______________________________

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5. Woe to them that _________ __________, and ______ ______ upon their _____! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. 2:1

6. List here some of the sins the people were involved in, site verses:_______________

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…We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields. Micah 2:4b They could not believe that God would punish them in this way! They seem to be saying, “Are we not God’s chosen people? Why is He doing this to us?” Unfortunately, many people will have similar questions on judgment day. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22-23

Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame. Micah 2:6 “Stop preaching! We don’t like your words! If you don’t have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself!” These wicked people did not want to hear the doom and gloom the true prophets were preaching. This is still going on today. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “Men teach their teachers how they wish to be mistaught, and receive the echo of their wishes as the voice of God!” (Quote from Beacon Bible Commentary)

Chapter 2 concludes with a message of hope. I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. vs. 12 Although they would be facing a great judgment, Micah speaks of the gathering of a remnant of Israel. Some conclude that this remnant is referring to the Jews that would later obey the gospel.

7. List some of the sins the leaders (heads of Jacob, princes of Israel) were guilty of: __

8. Thus saith the LORD concerning the ___________ that make my people ______, that bite with their teeth, and cry, ___________ ; and he that _________ _____ _______ _______ __________, they even prepare war against him. Micah 3:5

9. Why might false prophets then, false preachers today, claim to be speaking for God when in reality they are not?_______________________________________________

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10. What does Micah say to contrast himself with the false prophets?_______________

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But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. Micah 4:1 We are in the last days. (Acts 2:16f) The mountain of the house of the LORD is the Lord’s church. (1 Timothy 3:15) The church is also the kingdom. (Matthew 16:18f) We might wonder why would the faithful Jews take comfort in the establishment of the church (kingdom) so many years later? Why do we take comfort in the hope of heaven? Why do we teach our children and grandchildren the gospel? It was comforting to them, and to us now, that God keeps his promises!

11. But thou, ____________ ___________, though thou be _________ among the thousands of ________, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ________ ____ _______; whose goings forth have been from of ______, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. Micah 5:2-3

The Court Scene *

12. And as it is appointed unto men _______ ____ _____, but after this the ________ Hebrews 9:27

13. But why dost thou _______ _____ _________? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For ____ _______ _____ _______ _________ _____ ______________ ______ of ________. Romans 14:10

God is the ultimate judge and we will all have our day in court before him. What an advantage we could have then, if we could watch others go first. What if we could be a “fly on the wall” in God’s courtroom? Well, with what is recorded for us in Micah 6:1-8...we can do just that.

Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. Micah 6:1-2 God desired to know what excuse his people could possibly have had for living in rebellion to him. So, calling in his creation as an impartial witness, God invited Israel to present it’s case against him. The mountains would serve as experienced and impartial jurors in confirming the people’s guilt, after all, it was in the high places that the people built pagan alters and sacrificed to false gods. He then prepared his own case against them.

O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD. Micah 6:3-5 It seems God is asking His people whether He has worn them out with all of His goodness!

14. They had the oracles of God, how did they not know how to approach Him?_______

It has been said that the average American home has at least three complete bibles in it. Why is it that so many today do not know how to approach God?___________________

They wanted to know what and how much it would cost them. They wanted to pay God off.

15. Does this go on in the church today? Do some of us attempt to pay God off with exterior payments while having wordly and impure hearts? Give examples:___________

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They had some misconceptions about God. As if He needed their rivers of oil or desired their firstborn! They did not know God. In Job, we read about some men that did not know God and chose to speak for Him in their ignorance. Notice what God said about those men: And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Job 42:7 We need to be careful what we say about God!

16. He hath shewed thee, O man, ______ ___ ______; and what doth the ________ _________ of thee, but to do __________, and to _______ _________, and to ______ ____________ with thy God? Micah 6:8

I hope you have enjoyed this study of the prophet, Micah. I have benefited from it immensely. *Much of the thoughts and points from The Court Scene were gleaned from a sermon written by my favorite preacher, my husband! I eagerly await your answers and comments. I am learning so much from each of you. I look forward to rereading each of the Minor Prophets, slowly and methodically when this class concludes. Too much good stuff!

Have a wonderful week!

Jenni