Introduction to Micah

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 12/7/2015 10:25 PM

My Worship Time                                                                             Focus:  Introduction to Micah

            We will be looking at the introduction to the book of Micah from a couple of sources to help us better understand what we will be studying when we begin looking at this book in our next SD.

            I want to do something a bit different in that I have not used this source much in my Spiritual Diaries, but wish to take a look at the Thompson Chain Reference Bible to get their outline from Micah.

            “Author, Micah, a native of Moresheth, in Judah.  He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah;--was a contemporary of Isaiah, chapter 1:1.

            “His name means, ‘Who is like Jehovah.’  He belonged to the territory of Judah, but spoke to both Judah and Israel.

            “His anointing, chap. 3.8

            “Synopsis:

I.                    General Divisions.

a.       Chapters 1-3 Chiefly threatening of coming judgments.

b.      Chapters 4-5 Prophetic promises of deliverance.

c.       Chapters 6-7 Mainly Exhortations and confessions of National Sins, coupled with promises of restoration.

II.                 Particular Sins Condemned.

a.       Idolatry, Chapter 1:7; 5:13

b.      Evil plans and devices, Chapter 2:1

c.       Covetousness, Chapter 2:2

d.      Rapacity of princes, prophets and priests, Chapter 3:2-11

e.       Witchcraft, Chapter 5:12

f.        Dishonesty, Chapter 6:10-12

g.       Universal corruption, Chapter 7:2-4

h.       Treachery, Chapter 7:5-6

III.               Future Hopes.

a.       The establishment of a Righteous Kingdom Chapter 4:1-8

b.      The coming of a Messiah King, Chapter 5:2

c.       The Reformation and Restoration of the nation, Chapter 7:7-17

d.      The complete Triumph of Divine Grace, Chapter 7:18-20

IV.              Quotations From—

a.       By the elders, --Thus saving the life of Jeremiah, Jer. 26:16-19; Mi. 3:12

b.      By the Sanhedrin, to Herod the Great at the time of the Birth of Christ Matt. 2:5-6, Mi. 7:6

c.       By Christ,--in sending forth his disciples, Matt. 10:35-36; Mi. 7:6

V.                 Notable Passages.

a.       The Definition of True Religion, Chapter 6:8

b.      The Birth-place of Christ announced, Chapter 5:2

c.       God’s disposal of the Sins of Believers, Chapter 7:18-19.”

I wish to make several quotes from the introduction to Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on the book of Micah that will also help us understand a bit more about Micah.

“Micah saw the coming judgment of Israel under Assyria (722) as well as the fall of Jerusalem and Judah under the Babylonians (605-596).  He sought to call the Jews back to faithful worship of Jehovah and sincere obedience to His covenant, but they refused to listen.  He pled for social justice and a concern for the helpless, but the people would not repent.”

Now I want to look at three different Messages that we will see in the book of Micah when we begin to study its content, and these three are in Dr. Wiersbe’s outline, and that is what we will be following:

I.                   A WARNING MESSAGE:  JUDGMENT IS COMING. 1:1-2:13

a.      The Judge appears. 1:1-5

b.      The nations are judged. 1:6-16

                                                              i.      Judgment on Samaria. 1:6-9

                                                            ii.      Judgment on Judah. 1:10-16

c.       Why judgment is coming. 2:1-11

                                                              i.      Because of covetousness. 2:1-5

                                                            ii.      Because of false prophets. 2:6-11

II.                A PROMISE MESSAGE:  A DELIVERER IS COMING. 3:1-5:15

a.      The sins of the leaders. 3:1-12

b.      The future of the nation. 4:1-13

c.       The coming of Messiah 5:1-5

d.      The defeat of the enemy. 5:6-15

III.             A CHALLENGE MESSAGE:  TRUST THE LORD NOW.  6:1-7:20

a.      In spite of the indictment. 6:1-8

b.      In spite of the sentence. 6:9-7:8

c.       Because of the Lord’s mercies 7:7-20”

 

12/7/2015 11:02 PM