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"...

1. What will happen "in the latter days"

a. The "mountain of the Lord's house" will be established, and

many people will want to go it - Mic 4:1-2

b. They will want to learn of God's ways, and the word of the

Lord will go forth from Jerusalem - Mic 4:2

c. The Lord will judge the nations, and there will be peace

- Mic 4:3

d. Everyone will be content, walking in the name of the Lord

forever - Mic 4:4-5

-- Isaiah had a similar prophecy - Isa 2:1-4

2. What is the fulfillment of this prophecy?

a. Some believe it is all yet to come (e.g., premillenialists)

b. Some believe it is all past (e.g., some amillenialists)

c. I am inclined to believe there are past, present, and

future elements

1) It began in Jerusalem with the preaching of the gospel

on Pentecost

a) For Peter identifies the events of that day as

beginning the fulfillment of what would occur in the

"last days" - cf. Joel 2:28-32; Ac 2:16-17

b) For Jesus said the gospel would go forth from

Jerusalem as prophesied - Lk 24:46-47; cf. Mic 4:2;

Isa 2:3

2) It continues as people respond to the gospel that

originated from Jerusalem

a) Such people "have come to Mount Zion" - He 12:22-24;

cf. Mic 4:2

b) They learn the ways of the Lord - Ep 4:20-24; cf.

Mic 4:2

3) The "judging among many people" may be both present and

future

a) The book of Revelation reveals the Lord as judging

both in the present and in the future - cf. Re 1:5;

2:26-27; 17:14; 20:11-15

b) Peter viewed some of Isaiah's prophecies as yet to be