Dr. Pothana's Teaching

5. Seven chapters, seven exhortations
Micah
Man
has no
defence
Dangers of
covetousness
Symmetry
of divine
justice
A study of Micah(2) 5
Affliction
before
gathering
Littleness
before
greatness
What
doth the
LORD
require?
God
and
mercy

6. Micah
• Micah’s name means “Who is like the Lord?”
• Micah was probably a full-time prophet for
around 25 years between 735 and 710 B.C.
• He was a contemporary of Isaiah.
• Micah’s hometown was Moresheth, which is
situated on the border of Judah and Philistia,
about twenty five miles S.W. of Jerusalem.

7. Micah’s writing style
• Micah’s introductory statement (verse one) is
in plain prose form.
• After that, the entire book is in a more poetic
style – rhythmic and easy to remember for his
contemporaries, but trickier to translate into
other languages!
• Micah uses plenty of word-plays and word
pictures in his writing style…

8. Israel & Judah, The Northern and Southern Kingdoms

9. The word of the Lord that came to Micah of
Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and
Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw
concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
 Not much is known about Micah, only that he is from a
small town about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem
 Prophesied during the reigns of
• Jotham (750-731 B.C.)
• Ahaz (731-715 B.C.)
• Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.)
 Contemporaries were Isaiah, Amos and Hosea

10. Micah had a long preaching career (~50 yrs.)
Spoke out against
the sins of the
Northern Kingdom
Preached
against
the sins of
Judah
(South)
He
continues
to warn
Judah after
attack
Speaks
of their
salvation
and
return

12. Micah’s
Message
Rebuki
ng Sin
Warning of
Consequen
ces of Sin
Declaring
God’s
Goodness &
Love

13. Explicit prophesies about the coming of the Christ (e.g.
Chapter 5)
Presents himself to us as a faithful prophet who is in the
likeness of Jesus
Points us to Jesus by the coming judgment of Jerusalem

14. A study of Micah (1)
Explicit prophesies about the coming of the Christ (e.g. Chapter 5)

15. Main Divisions
• God summons the people to hear (chapter 1)
• Declares impending judgment (chapter 2)
• Summons the leaders to hear (chapter 3)
• Restoration of the remnant (chapter 4)
• Triumph of ruler from Bethlehem (chapter 5)
• Summons mountains to hear (chapter 6)
• God’s controversy with His people (chapter 7)

16. Micah – minor prophet, major messages
Waiting for
God’s
salvation
God’s
pardoning of
transgression
Covetousness
which is
idolatry
The
responsibility
of shepherds
What service
to God actually
requires
God’s
sovereignty
Misplaced
trust in God
The sacred
oath of
spiritual
marriage
Only divine
rule can
bring peace
A chosen
remnant to
be saved
The certain
cutting off of
wickedness
God’s
accusation,
man’s
inadequate
defence
A study of Micah(1) 16

17. Lessons for Us
• Micah stresses God’s righteousness.
– (7:18-20)
• Wickedness must be punished.
– (2:1-3)
• We must walk “humbly” and do “justice.”
– (6:8)
• Foretold long ago, the coming of Christ!
– (5:2)