Transcript Micah: Powerpoint - Washington University Bible Fellowship

Micah
God’s judgment and God’s love
are real
Outline
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Introduction
Content
Lessons learned
Application
Introduction
• Key Verse
Micah 6:8
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the
Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God.”
• Author
– Probably Micah, perhaps a collection of various prophets
• Purpose
– To warn the Jewish people of God’s coming judgment for their sin and
disobedience. Also, to teach them to live with justice and holiness in
anticipation of the messiah to come.
• Time Period
742-687 B.C.
Reign of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah
Period of Assyrian Dominance
• Setting
– Political tensions during the reign of Ahaz
which led to subjection to Assyria
– Hezekiah attempts to break free from
Assyrian rule, but fails
– The people worshipped God as an obligation,
no life-changing reality
– They didn’t walk humbly with God but instead
failed to practice justice and pursued idolatry
Who is Micah?
• Micah means “Who is like Yahweh?”
• The prophet of authentic worship/service
to God and social justice
• Contemporary of Isaiah and cited by
Jeremiah as an anti-establishment prophet
who was respected by the king
• Southerner from Moresheth, from a rural
background
Content
Micah, The Book
• Two basic parts
– Chapters 1-5
• Judgments and promises for Jerusalem and
Samaria
– Chapters 6-7
• The trial of the people and their restoration
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Chapters 1-5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Corrupt leaders of both nations denounced
Fall of Samaria and Jerusalem foreseen
Justice for the poor and oppressed
Prophets of peace are false
Restoration of the Davidic Kingdom and
Jerusalem
Chapters 6-7
1. The Lord requires proper lifestyle, not
empty ritual
2. Jerusalem is guilty because of injustice
3. The people will be restored after
punishment
Key Passages in Micah
A. 3:9-12
“Zion shall be plowed as a field, Jerusalem shall become a
heap of ruins.”
B. 4:1-5
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears
into pruning hooks…they shall no longer learn war.”
C. 5:2-4
“But you O Bethlehem Ephrathah…from you shall come forth
one who is to be a ruler in Israel.”
D. 6:1-8
“What does the Lord require of you…do justice, love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.”
Themes
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Perverting faith
Oppression
The Messiah---King of Peace
Pleasing God
Perverting faith
Explanation – God will judge the false
prophets, dishonest leaders, and selfish
priests. They perverted their faith by
mixing their selfish motives with an empty
display of religion.
Importance – Don’t try to mix your own
selfish desires with true faith in God.
Oppression
Explanation – Micah predicts ruin for all
nations and leaders who were oppressive
towards others. God will not put up with
such injustice.
Importance – Don’t ask God for help while
ignoring those who are needy and
oppressed or condoning the actions of
those who oppress them.
The Messiah, King of Peace
Explanation – God promises a new king to
bring strength and peace to his people. He
will restore his people through the
Messiah.
Importance – We can have God’s peace
now by giving up our sins and welcoming
Christ as king.
Pleasing God
Explanation – Micah preaches that God’s
greatest desire was not the offering of
sacrifices, but he rather delights in faith
that produces justice, love for others, and
obedience to him
Importance – True faith in God generates
kindness, compassion, justice and
humility.
Lessons Learned