(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Micah – named after the prophet Micah (Mikayahu in Hebrew), meaning “Who is like the LORD?”
• Definition: A prophetic book that addresses the sins of Judah and Israel, warning of impending judgement while offering profound hope through promises of restoration, messianic kingship, and divine justice

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Attributed to Micah of Moresheth, a contemporary of Isaiah, who prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah
• When: Likely composed between 740 and 686 BC, during a period of social injustice, idolatry, and impending Assyrian aggression
• Audience: The people of Judah and Israel, particularly leaders and elites responsible for corruption and oppression
• Purpose: To call the nation to repentance, denounce injustice and false religion, and offer hope through a future ruler from Bethlehem who will bring peace and justice

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Poetic oracles, courtroom language, prophetic laments, chiastic structure, and alternating messages of judgement and hope; rich use of metaphor and allusion
• Key Themes: Justice, covenant faithfulness, social ethics, divine kingship, restoration, messianic prophecy, and peace
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Micah 5:2 prophesies the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem, fulfilled in Matthew 2:6
○ The future shepherd-king anticipates Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Prince of Peace
○ The call to walk humbly with God (Mic. 6:8) reflects the ethos of Christ’s ministry
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ Zion as both judged and redeemed
○ The mountain of the LORD represents global peace and worship (Mic. 4:1–4)
○ Shepherd imagery symbolises divine leadership and pastoral care

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Seven chapters divided into three cycles of judgement and hope (ch. 1–2, 3–5, 6–7); each begins with “Hear” and ends in a message of restoration
• Canonical Significance: One of the Twelve Minor Prophets; essential for understanding biblical social justice, messianic prophecy, and covenantal theology
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Closely aligned with Isaiah (shared themes and imagery), Hosea (covenant), and Amos (justice)
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Expands on Deuteronomic covenant theology; recalls Davidic kingship and Mosaic law
○ Connections to the New Testament: Cited in the birth narrative of Christ (Matt. 2:6); Mic. 6:6–8 reflects Gospel ethics; themes of peace, humility, and true worship pervade Jesus’ teachings
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Mic. 5:2–5 explicitly prophesies a ruler from Bethlehem; Mic. 4 speaks of eschatological peace and universal worship
○ Connections with Judaism: Interpreted messianically and ethically in rabbinic tradition; Mic. 6:8 summarised as the essence of Torah ethics
○ Connections with Islam: While Micah is not named in the Qur’an, shared values of justice, humility, and monotheism resonate within Islamic teachings
• Key Passages or Verses: Mic. 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem… out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel”
Mic. 6:6–8 – “What does the LORD require of you?… to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God”
Mic. 4:3 – “They will beat their swords into ploughshares”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Micah delivers God’s word with both severity and hope, condemning injustice while holding out messianic promise
• Who are the Main Characters: Micah, God as Judge and Redeemer, the corrupt leaders and prophets, the people of Judah and Israel, and the future Davidic ruler

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Judge of the nations, defender of the oppressed, covenant-keeper, and merciful restorer
○ The Son – Foretold in Mic. 5:2–5 as the shepherd-king bringing peace and security
○ The Holy Spirit – Implied in prophetic inspiration and future spiritual renewal
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: False prophets and corrupt leaders are condemned; true leadership will emerge from Bethlehem
• Role of the Church: Called to embody justice, humility, and mercy; bears witness to the fulfilment of messianic promises in Christ
• Role of Men and Women: The message is addressed to all; women are indirectly referenced in descriptions of societal suffering and restoration

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Moresheth (Micah’s hometown), Jerusalem, Samaria, Bethlehem, and the mountains of Judah; Assyria looms in the background
• Historical Context: A time of great social disparity, corruption, and idolatry under the threat of Assyrian invasion; echoes the fall of Samaria and warnings to Jerusalem
• Cultural Context: Religious syncretism and exploitation of the poor were rampant; justice was subverted by elites and courts

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: The use of prophetic critique was widespread; Micah, however, grounds his message in Yahweh’s covenantal expectations
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Assyria’s dominance shaped Judah’s political and religious insecurity; Micah counters foreign alliances with trust in God
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Highlights ethical decay within society—bribery, land theft, false prophecy—and the misuse of religious institutions
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Prophetic oracles as legal indictments
   ○ Temple worship without ethical alignment
   ○ Abuse of legal systems to oppress the poor

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Links Davidic hopes with messianic fulfilment; connects judgement with mercy; bridges historical injustice with eschatological hope
2. Theological Significance: Centres on divine justice, covenant loyalty, and the future kingdom of peace through the messianic ruler
3. Spiritual Themes: Justice, humility, peace, messianic hope, covenant restoration, and trust in God amid societal collapse
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: True worship demands ethical living. God will not ignore injustice. Hope is anchored in God’s promise of a righteous ruler
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Foundational for messianic prophecy, Christian ethics, and social theology; Mic. 6:8 is frequently cited in moral instruction
6. Historical Reception: Revered across Jewish and Christian traditions; influential in reform movements, prophetic preaching, and biblical justice advocacy

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Deeply rooted in Deuteronomic theology; reflects and reinforces covenant principles of justice and loyalty
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Mic. 6:8 regarded as a summary of the ethical heart of the Torah; Mic. 4 cited in eschatological hope for peace
3. Connections with Islam: Though Micah is not named in the Qur’an, the prophetic call for justice, monotheism, and peace resonates with Islamic moral vision
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Inspired social reformers, theologians, and peace movements; Mic. 6:8 cited by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.
5. Scientific Perspectives: Used in studies on ethics, political theology, and economic justice; speaks into systemic inequality and moral collapse
6. Global Perspective: Widely applicable to issues of political corruption, prophetic truth-telling, and the global longing for peace and justice

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Micah’s call to walk humbly with God has been interpreted as an invitation to inner spiritual transformation and divine alignment
2. Comparative Mythology: Unlike surrounding myths, Micah’s message is ethical rather than mythic, grounded in covenantal realism rather than heroic epic
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Challenges utilitarianism and ritualism; affirms absolute moral values grounded in divine character
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Do justice in all relationships
   ○ Walk humbly and dependently before God
   ○ Avoid hypocrisy in religious expression
   ○ Await God’s justice and do not exploit others
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Central to discourse on social justice, public ethics, faith-based advocacy, and the Church’s role in confronting injustice

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Balancing immediate historical application with eschatological fulfilment; interpreting messianic prophecy within literary context
2. Theological Debates: The identity and timing of the messianic ruler; the meaning of Zion’s exaltation and universal peace
3. Key Questions Addressed: What does God require of His people? Can justice and mercy coexist? How is peace possible amid oppression? Who is the true king of God’s people?