To Whom was Micah Addressing?

Micah 1:2-16

Those who have studied the life of Micah tell us that he was a country boy preaching to the common man, where as, Isaiah, who also prophesized at the same time in Jerusalem, delivered his message to the court in the city of Jerusalem.  A prophet of God speaks the words God has put into his mind and heart and he stays on message.  He understands the source of his power, and never dilutes the message God has given him.  Look at Micah 3:5-7, as he addresses the false prophets; “Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination.

The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.”  Look at the contrast to Micah, “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. (Micah 3:8 ESV)

It was helpful to be reminded that the Jewish people were divided into two kingdoms, Samaria, the capital of Israel, and Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, and these kings reigned during the life of Micah they were Jotham, Hezekiah, and Ahaz.  It is also helpful to understand that they are under oppression from within and without. 

We must not lose sight of this fact, Micah was addressing the people who claimed to be followers of God, and it was their social sins, the way they treated the poor, the corrupting influences of those in authority, and this is what he prophesied; “Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight, who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.  Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the LORD and say, “Is not the LORD in the midst of us?

No disaster shall come upon us.” Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.” (Micah 3:9-12 ESV)

In the opening of this book it was apparent that this could easily have been written in last weeks News Week about the United States of America, we seem to have a comparable path with Micah’s day and we, like them, and I’m referring to those who go by the name of Christian, do not see that our only hope is to repent and look to our Father in heaven.

These were the sins of those people; Idolatry, Covetousness, Oppression, Violence, encouraging false prophets, corruption of those in authority, corrupting of the priests and prophets, Bribery, and just plain Dishonesty.  Sounds like the U.S.A. to me!

From the Back Porch,