Divided kingdom · around 740–700 BC
Micah in the Bible
The prophet who announced Bethlehem. Name meaning: “Who is like the LORD?” (the usual sense of the Hebrew Mikha); his book ends on a similar question: “Who is a God like unto thee?” (Mic 7:18)
A native of Moresheth, Micah receives the word of the LORD in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah: a prophecy concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. He denounces the powerful who seize fields, the prophets who speak for money, and worship without justice, but he also announces the mountain of the house of the LORD, the ruler who will come out of Bethlehem, and the God who pardons. In the days of Jehoiakim, elders quote his words to save Jeremiah.
Key moments
- He receives a prophecy concerning Samaria and Jerusalem Micah 1:1
- He denounces those who covet fields and houses Micah 2:2
- He announces that Zion will be plowed like a field Micah 3:12
- Swords will be beaten into plowshares Micah 4:3
- Out of Bethlehem will come the ruler in Israel Micah 5:2
- “What doth the LORD require of thee” Micah 6:8
- “Who is a God like unto thee?” Micah 7:18
- The elders quote his word to defend Jeremiah Jeremiah 26:18
Strengths
- Courage
- Plain speaking
- Hunger for justice
- Hope
Weaknesses
The Bible notes no personal fault in Micah. His difficulty is a message people refuse to hear: he is told “Prophesy ye not!” (2:6), and he confesses his despair over a land where no upright person is left (7:1-2).
Lessons for today
- God expects justice, mercy, and humility from us far more than sacrifices (Mic 6:6-8).
- Selling your judgment, your teaching, or your word for money invites God’s judgment; the true prophet speaks “full of power by the spirit of the LORD” (Mic 3:8, 11).
- God fulfills his promises through what looks small: the promised ruler will come from Bethlehem, “little among the thousands of Judah” (Mic 5:2; Matt 2:4-6).
- Our God pardons: he forgets sins and casts them “into the depths of the sea” (Mic 7:18-19).
And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
But thou, Beth–lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
People around Micah
- Hezekiah — King of Judah who did not put him to death; he feared the LORD and besought him (Jer 26:19)
- Isaiah — A prophet of Judah, in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah as well (Isa 1:1)
- Hosea — A prophet of the same era, under the same kings of Judah (Hos 1:1)
- Jeremiah — The prophet whom the elders defend by quoting Micah (Jer 26:17-19)
- Ahaz — King of Judah in the time of his prophecy, who made his son pass through the fire (2 Kgs 16:3)
Quiz: how well do you know Micah?
Which town was Micah from?
The book opens with “the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite.” Tekoa is Amos’s town, Anathoth is Jeremiah’s, and Gath-hepher is Jonah’s. Micah 1:1
Which cities does Micah’s prophecy concern?
Micah receives a prophecy “concerning Samaria and Jerusalem,” in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Micah 1:1
Which small town of Judah is announced as the place from which the ruler in Israel would come?
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Matthew quotes this word. Micah 5:2
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.