Micah 1 — The Coming Oppression
Micah 2 — Woe to the Oppressors
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Micah prophesied during the rule of Jotham (2 Kings 15:30-38), Ahaz (2 Kings 16) and Hezekiah (c. 2 Kings 18). We recall, Jotham did what was right, except, like Jeroboam, he didn’t remove the high places of sacrifice. Ahaz was a complete idiot, but “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him” (2 Kings 18:5). Note: Isaiah, Hosea and Micah were contemporaries, prophesying at about the same point in history. That sets the stage for the short narrative of Micah.
These were troubled times for Israel and Judah. Micah predicted the demise of Samaria, Israel’s capital city and Judah, “for Samaria’s plague is incurable; it has spread to Judah, it has reached the very gate of my people, even to Jerusalem itself” (Micah 1:9). He convicts them for their evil actions taken because “it is in their power to do it” (2:1) and the result: “Therefore, the Lord says: ‘I am planning disaster against this people…” (2:3). Still, there is hope for deliverance, “I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel” (2:12). God is not done yet, but they must listen to these difficult prophesies of Micah, not just the false prophets that speak words they want to hear.
Reading though these books of prophecy just after finishing 2 Kings provides great perspective. The significant prophecies of Isaiah, Hosea and Micah came at the end of the divided kingdom, foretelling of the exile, of God’s corrupt people being swept away and foreigners taking over the promised land. These pride-filled kings we read about in 1-2 Kings lead God’s chosen people astray. They (much like we) wanted an earthly king–remember, they begged God for such, “the people refused to listen to Samuel. ‘No!’ they said. ‘We want a king over us….'” (1 Samuel 8:19). Yet it’s important to remember, the movement from God leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to being ruled by kings didn’t happen overnight, the period of Judges through Kings took 300+ years.
So who are we listening to? How are we testing today’s prophets? We need to discern words from God versus words from man. These “required readings” provide a significant step in being able to improve our discernment, we need to understand the Bible, to hear God’s word over and over again. This foundational step is backed up by consistent prayer and support by the Holy Spirit that lives in us. Just like rehearsing a song over and over again, when we read and pray we become more in step with God’s true desire. We “do church” together to spur one another on toward Godly goals. Lord help me to learn from these prophets, their difficult ministries during hard times and move closer to you. Speak to me through your Word. Holy Spirit teach me and help me to hear carefully.