Judgment, Justice, and Forgiveness
The book of Micah is a series of prophetic oracles in the Old Testament. The oracles are warnings against injustice, promises of a new and better future, and proofs of God’s faithfulness to the final covenant: Jesus. A few of the oracles are harsh judgments on Israel and Judah. Most of Micah’s indictment against Israel, Samaria, and Judah are based upon injustices, especially toward the powerless—unfair treatment of women and children, corrupt business affairs, and rulers who live in luxury as their people suffer. Israel’s rulers and prophets had become corrupt. The book prophesizes the destruction of the cities of Judah, Samaria, and Israel. The book shows God’s forgiveness. He will rebuild Jerusalem from the destruction of the Assyrians, and He will free his chosen people. God will not abandon his people. It predicts the birth of a great savior born in Bethlehem to guide and save the Jewish people. God reminds the people of Israel that He freed them from slavery in Egypt. The people ask what they can do to please the Lord. God says burnt offerings are not necessary. All He wants of his people is to do what is just, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. Then He will be pleased. Micah prophesizes that Jerusalem will be rebuilt and more powerful than ever. The end of the book shows God’s undying forgiveness and mercy for his people. The book of …show more content…
In 701 BC the town of Judah fell to the Assyrians as Micah had predicted. Before that, between 734-727 BC, Assyria conduced campaigns against Israel. Most biblical scholars believe that only chapters 1-3 were written in the 8th century BC and that the remaining chapters were written in the early 5th century BC. This is due to the fact that chapters 4-7 contain material written after the temple was rebuilt in 515
The book of Micah is a series of prophetic oracles in the Old Testament. The oracles are warnings against injustice, promises of a new and better future, and proofs of God’s faithfulness to the final covenant: Jesus. A few of the oracles are harsh judgments on Israel and Judah. Most of Micah’s indictment against Israel, Samaria, and Judah are based upon injustices, especially toward the powerless—unfair treatment of women and children, corrupt business affairs, and rulers who live in luxury as their people suffer. Israel’s rulers and prophets had become corrupt. The book prophesizes the destruction of the cities of Judah, Samaria, and Israel. The book shows God’s forgiveness. He will rebuild Jerusalem from the destruction of the Assyrians, and He will free his chosen people. God will not abandon his people. It predicts the birth of a great savior born in Bethlehem to guide and save the Jewish people. God reminds the people of Israel that He freed them from slavery in Egypt. The people ask what they can do to please the Lord. God says burnt offerings are not necessary. All He wants of his people is to do what is just, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. Then He will be pleased. Micah prophesizes that Jerusalem will be rebuilt and more powerful than ever. The end of the book shows God’s undying forgiveness and mercy for his people. The book of …show more content…
In 701 BC the town of Judah fell to the Assyrians as Micah had predicted. Before that, between 734-727 BC, Assyria conduced campaigns against Israel. Most biblical scholars believe that only chapters 1-3 were written in the 8th century BC and that the remaining chapters were written in the early 5th century BC. This is due to the fact that chapters 4-7 contain material written after the temple was rebuilt in 515