STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS MICAH Part 2

"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS"

Micah - Judgment Now, Blessings Later (3:1-5:15)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous lesson on the book of Micah...
a. We briefly considered some background material
1) Concerning Micah, the man
a) His name means "Who is like Jehovah?"
b) He was from Moresheth-Gath, 20-25 miles SW of Jerusalem
c) A contemporary of Isaiah
d) A prophet of the poor and downtrodden
2) Concerning Micah, the book
a) The prophecies occurred around 735-700 B.C.
b) They were directed toward both Israel and Judah
c) The general theme appears to be "Present Judgment, Future
Blessings"
b. We briefly considered the first of three messages in the book
1) Each message begins with "Hear..." - Mic 1:2; 3:1; 6:1
2) The first message proclaimed "The Coming Judgment And Promised
Restoration", as it described:
a) The judgment pronounced upon Israel and Judah - Mic 1:2-16
b) The reasons for the coming judgment - Mic 2:1-11
c) The promise of the restoration of a remnant - Mic 2:12-13

2. In this lesson, we shall consider Micah's second message...
a. As presented in Mic 3:1-5:15
b. Which follows a similar theme as in the previous message:
1) God's condemnation of Israel
2) With a glimpse of the future hope

[This second message has much more to say about the future hope,
especially regarding the Messiah. But it begins with...]

I. GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ISRAEL'S LEADERS

A. INDICTMENT OF ISRAEL'S CIVIL LEADERS...
1. The outrageous conduct of the rulers - Mic 3:1-3
a. They hate good and love evil
b. They consume the people (i.e., oppress them)
2. The judgment to come upon them - Mic 3:4
a. They will cry to the Lord, but He will not hear them
b. He will hide His face from them

B. INDICTMENT OF ISRAEL'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS...
1. The judgment to come upon the false prophets - Mic 3:5-7
a. Because they lead God's people astray
b. They shall have no vision, they shall be made ashamed
2. Micah's own ministry, in contrast to that of the false
prophets - Mic 3:8
a. He is full of the power of the Spirit, and of justice and
might
b. He declares the transgression and sin of Israel

C. INDICTMENT OF ISRAEL'S LEADERS RENEWED...
1. Addressing once again the rulers of Israel, their sins are
categorized - Mic 3:9-11
a. They abhor justice and pervert equity (fairness)
b. They build up Jerusalem with bloodshed and iniquity
c. Whether judges, priests, or prophets, they do it only for
the money, belying their claim to trust in the Lord
2. The judgment to come upon Israel because of them - Mic 3:12
a. Zion shall be plowed like a field
b. Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins

[This prophecy of Micah was fulfilled when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem
in 586 B. C. (cf. 2Ch 36:17-21). But his message is not finished; as
ominous as it was in proclaiming the coming judgment, he now continues
with a glimpse into the future...]

II. THE FUTURE EXALTATION OF ZION AND MESSIANIC HOPE

A. THE GLORY TO COME IN "THE LATTER DAYS"...