Micah contains 7 chapters, 105 verses and 3,152 words in the King James. It is the fourth largest of the Minor Prophets in terms of both verses and total word count.
Date Written, Location
The book of Micah was written between 740 and 711 B.C. This date range is based on the fact that his ministry spanned the reigns of three Kingdom of Judah rulers (Micah 1:1). His book was written in Judea.
[Which Kings Paid Tribute to Assyria?]
The prophet wrote at a time when the power of the Assyrian Empire was in its ascendency. The first ruler during Micah's ministry was Tiglath-Pileser III (called "Pul" in the Bible) who was king from 745 to 727 B.C. He was followed by Shalmaneser V (727 to 722) and Sargon II (722 to 705).
The Author
Micah's name means "Who is like God" (Strong's Concordance #H4318, #H4320, #H4321). He was born in the city of Moresheth which is also called Moresheth-gath (Micah 1:14). It was located southwest of Jerusalem near the Philistine city of Gath.
The Bible, like it is for many of the Minor Prophets, is silent regarding any details of Micah's life. His death and burial location is also unknown. One Jewish tradition, however, places Micah's grave in the southern Judean town of Chesil.
Micah Chapter Outline
Chpt. 1: Micah opens his book by warning Samaria (northern ten tribes) and Judah (Kingdom of Judah) that their sins, if not repented of, will bring severe consequences!
Both Israel and Judah are condemned for continuing to indulge in idolatry (Micah 1:7). Their sins had gotten so bad that the prophet declared that their spiritual wounds were incurable (verse 9). Their punishment will lead to the people cutting off all their hair in mourning for their children taken into captivity (verse 16).
Chpt. 2: The chapter begins with a condemnation of those who lie awake at night creating ways they can take advantage of others. They plot to take other people's land and houses even if that means resorting to violence (Micah 2:1 - 2)!
Those, like Micah, who relay God's warnings to his people, are told to stop doing so. They are warned to shut up as the people believe nothing bad will ever happen to them (Micah 2:6). The Lord's response is that his words always do good and are given to benefit his people (verses 7).
A rather sharp criticism is then made that anyone who speaks lies and utters false prophecies is readily accepted as a real prophet. They are accepted, in part, because they preach nothing but prosperity represented by an abundance of wine and strong drink (Micah 2:11).
[How Can We Detect False Prophets?]
Chpt. 3: The chapter begins with God's condemnation of Israel's leaders and judges. Although they know they should do good and execute justice they instead pursue evil. They willingly strip people of all their possessions and take it for themselves. Those who pervert justice are not only willing to be bribed they also refuse to serve unless someone pays them (Micah 3:1 - 3, 9 - 11).
The ultimate penalty for Judah's sins is that the land would be destroyed and Jerusalem's temple would no longer exist (Micah 3:12).
[Justice in the Book of Proverbs]
Chpt. 4: The first eight verses of the chapter reveal an amazing end time prophecy centered on Jesus' Second Coming to the earth (Micah 4:1 - 8)!
When Jesus returns he will set up the Kingdom of God which will righteously rule the earth from its headquarters in Jerusalem. People from around the world will flock to Jerusalem to learn about God's law (which was never abolished!) and how to apply it to their lives.
Peace will cover the planet as a result of the Lord settling disputes and executing justice between the nations. Countries will no longer needed to expend vast quantities of resources to prepare for and fight wars as declared in the chapter's third verse.
. . . 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 (Micah 4:3).
God's kingdom will bring an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity to mankind. Humans will finally be able to reap the full benefits of their labors without fear of it being taken away (Micah 4:4).
[Is the Kingdom of God within Us?]
The Lord also promised to redeem his people after they are punished with captivity by the Babylonians (Micah 4:9 - 13).
Chpt. 5: The chapter opens with the only Old Testament prophecy that reveals the exact location where Jesus will be born more than 700 years later.
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; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2).
Micah 5:6 confirms that the land of Assyria was started by Nimrod. He not only ruled Babel, Erech and other cities in the land of Shinar (Genesis 10:9 - 10), he is also the person who had the famous Tower of Babel built!
[Why Was the Tower of Babel Built?]
And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian . . . (Micah 5:6).
Micah 5:10 - 15 takes place in the prophetic last days. The Lord will first destroy Israel's war making capacity so that the people depend on him to protect them (see Deuteronomy 17:16). He will then remove all those who actively practice witchcraft (occult) and idolatry, as well as punish those who refuse to heed his warnings!
Chpt. 6: The Lord, in this chapter's first five verses, challenges Israel to name a single unrighteous burden he ever placed on them.
God reminds his people that he has always perfectly loved them. It was this love that moved him to send Moses to free them from slavery (Micah 6:4). It also motivated him to have the prophet Balaam bless the people and not curse them (see Numbers 22 - 24).
Verse 8 of the chapter then sums up what God requires of all humans.
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? (Micah 6:8).
Verses 9 to 12 lists some of Israel's sins such as people amassing great amounts of wealth through wicked behavior. One example of this behavior is sellers using dishonest weights and measures to cheat their customers. Violence indulged in by rich people and rampant lying were also common.
[Biblical Weights and Measures]
The failure to obey God, according to Micah, would bring harsh punishments to Israel. The food his people harvested would not be enough to sustain them. What they did harvest would be taken by their enemies. In the end the nation would become desolate.
The calamities to befall Israel were also due to the people continuing the idolatry and violence promoted by Kings Omri and Ahab. These men were the two most evil rulers over the Kingdom of Israel!
[Israel's Ruling Dynasties Timeline]
Chpt. 7: Micah, in this closing chapter, laments that disobedience has become so pervasive that an honest man cannot be found! The pursuit of bribery, injustice, violence and greed abound. The lack of righteous character is so bad that Micah recommends not trusting a friend, wife, or even a close family member.
Verses 11 and 12 promise that Jerusalem will be rebuilt and restored to its glory. In fact Israel's enemies, in the near future, will flock to the city to hear and learn about God's ways!
In closing (verses 18 and 19), in spite of the people's sins and the punishments to come, the Lord promises to have compassion and mercy. His righteous character means he will forgive and not retain any anger toward those he loves.
God's promise to have compassion and mercy on Abraham's descendants (Micah 7:20) will, 700+ years later, be quoted by John the Baptist's father (Luke 1:72 - 73).