Micah

1. Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

The book of Micah was written by the prophet Micah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. He was from Judah but spoke to both Israel and Judah (1:1). He extremely confident in the Lord (7:7) and prophesies with pristine accuracy. We know that his prophesies take place before the fall of Israel in 732 because he prophesies it in 3:11-12. The original reader would have been Judah though it included text about Israel, for the purpose of allowing them to see the downfall of Israel, why it happened and how they could avoid it.The book is full of the evil plottings and doings of the people (2:1-2, 11, 3:1-4, 9-11). He continually points out their sin and shows them where they have gone wrong. And the solution, is redemption and repentance, this is summarized in Micah 6:8, “Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”

2. What does this book show you about the character and nature of God?

He hates injustice (6:10-12) and those who commit it will be held responsible but His justice (2:3), and he holds people accountable to their actions (3:5-7). He reminds us of our history, where we've been, where we've come from and where He's taking us (6:4-5) so that we can be reminded of His goodness and faithfulnes thorughout the years and not be swayed by the things around us.

3. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In Chapter 5:2 we see a prophesy of Jesus “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.”

God makes a promise to the people who chose to follow Him instead of idols, “In that coming day, I will gather together those who are lame, those who have been exiles, and those whome I have filled with grief. Those who are weak will survive as a remnant those who were exiles will become a strong nation. Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem as their king forever.”

And in 2:12 and 13 He says, “Someday, O Israel, I will gather you; I will gather the remnant who are left. I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture...”

4. Point of Passion: Family.

My point doesn't necessarily come from Micah, but from an overall realization of the importance of telling our children and family about salvation. I think with all of the prophets, seeing the judgment and unconditional love God has for His children leads me to realize the importance of telling our children of Salvation and training them up in the ways of the Lord. The destruction and punishment we see them suffering should lead us to be all the more eager to teach our children about what God did by sending His son to die on the cross. He did that, that we may accept Him, recoginizing our weaknesses and submitting to His authority that we may live wholesome, spotless lives. But even in our mistakes and sins He forgives and redeems every situation. But if our children are not taught of both sides of His character, the downfall of the flesh and punishment inflicted they will be forever lost and rebellious. But we have to teach them from a place of love and not scare them into salvation, that is not from the heart.

I don't know how to do that, or what that would even look like. Having grown up in the church I knew a lot of these stories but still didn't get it. It wasn't until there was a hunger within my spirit, desire to know more, and being in a place of desperation that I actually took the initiative to get into the word and see the bigger picture. The biggest thing we can do is teach the principles, show the importance of everything and pray a hunger of the word over our families and children, that God would grab ahold of their hearts and transform them through revelation of who He is.