2005 Bible Reading

This page is not a commentary, nor an outline. It is something to bear in mind in this kind of reading. These materials I learnt from two books by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart (How to Read the Bible for All Its worth; How to Read the Bible Book By Book). You could consult these books if you are interested.

Pastor Raymond

Micah

The 6^th of the Book of Twelve has an interesting and unique arrangement. It places the oracles of judgment and hope alternatively within each of the three major divisions (chapters 1-2；3-5；6-7), whilst using the word “Listen/Hear” to begin each section (1:2; 3:1; 6:1).

I	1:2	1:2 – 2:1	2:12-13
I	Hear O peoples	Judgment against Samaria and Jerusalem	God gathers the Remnant
II	3:1	3:1-4, 5-8, 9-12	4:1-5:15
II	Listen	Three doom oracles	God dwells with the Remnant in Zion
III	6:1	6:1-16; 7:1-7	7:8-20
III	Listen to what the LORD says	Case against Israel and Lament over Jerusalem	God delivers the sheep from enemies

Noting the above arrangement, the following four matters are important in understanding the message:

1. Like all other prophets, Micah reflects the blessings and curses outlined in Deut 28-30. Therefore, unfaithfulness to the covenant deserves punishment. But Yahweh is keen to deliver and comfort His elect because the LORD pardons sin , forgives the transgression, does not stay angry forever but delights to show mercy (7:18).

2. Micah was about a generation younger than Hosea and Amos, and might even be a little bit younger than his contemporary Isaiah. He served during the period after the reformation if the Northern Kingdom (Israel), when the nation began to ignore the warnings of the prophets. Israel became unfaithful in religion and in social justice, resulting in a weaker nation. At the same time, her neighbor Assyria emerged as a strong power, ultimately becoming the vessel used to punish Israel (1:6-7, 10-16). But even Assyria herself would be punished (5:5-6, 15; 7:10). Chapter 4 mentioned Babylon (4:10) although at that time she had not become a superpower.

3. Note that the accusations against the Southern Kingdom (Judah) were based on two major reasons: idolatry (1:7; 5:12-14) and social injustice (2:1-2, 8-11; 3:1-3, 8-11; 6:10-12; 7:2-3). Regarding the latter, Micah clearly pointed out that the “promised land” was the inheritance which God granted to His people. When the people became unfaithful, they would be driven out of the land (1:16; 2:10; 4:9-10; see Deuteronomy 28:25-42). As to those who took the land of the weak and the poor (2:2, 9; 3:2-3, 9-11; 6:10-12, 16; 7:2), they were being unfaithful to God in failing to live up to His demanded social justice.

4. Micah resolutely guarded the promise God made to Abraham (the book closes on this note). Therefore he was very firm that the people of Israel would remain as blessings to all nations (4:1-4; 7:11-13). This was the reason why Micah held out a strong hope for the future Messiah (2:13; 5:1-6). Bearing in mind how the Gospel of Matthew (2:6) uses Micah 5:2, we should sense that the author who recorded the expression, “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19), had indeed understood the Book of Micah.