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Selected Minor Prophets My Servants The Prophets Major Lessons From Selected Minor Prophets

Approximate Dates Of The Minor Prophets 9th Century (Early Assyrian Period) Obadiah (845 B.C.) Joel (830 B.C.) Jonah (790-750 B.C.) 6th Century (Exilic Period) Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.) Daniel (605-536 B.C.) 8th Century (Assyrian Period) Amos (755 B.C.) Hosea (750-725 B.C.) Isaiah (740-700 B.C.) Micah (735-700 B.C.) 6th-5th Centuries (Post-Exilic Periods) Haggai (520 B.C.) Zechariah (520-518 B.C.) Malachi (440 B.C.) 7th Century (Chaldean Period) Jeremiah (626-586 B.C. & after) Zephaniah (630-625 B.C) Nahum (625-612 B.C.) Habakkuk (605 B.C.)

Introduction – Prophets of Micah’s day ”The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah…” (Micah 1:1) Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1 “…in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah…”) Hosea (Hosea 1:1 “…in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah…”)

Introduction – Kings of Judah in Micah’s day ”The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah…” (Micah 1:1) Reference 2 Kings 15:32 – 20:21, 2 Chronicles 27:1 – 32:33 Jotham of Judah (2 Kings 15:34-35) He did right in God’s sight The people sacrificed in the high places

Introduction – Kings of Judah in Micah’s day Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16:3-5, 15:37) He walked in the way of the kings of Israel Chastisement - God sent Syria and Pekah of Israel against him Hezekiah of Judah Sennacharib came against Jerusalem (2 Kings 18) Hezekiah looked to God, and God delivered him (2 Kings 19:32-37)

Simple Timeline of the Kings Kings of Israel Saul, David, Solomon Micah Isaiah Kings of Judah Jotham Ahaz Hezekiah Adapted from a hand drawn chart by Gospel Light Publications, 1989

Introduction – Audience of Micah’s message (near term) ”The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.”

Introduction – Spiritual climate A time when many of God’s people would just not listen to Him (Isaiah 6:8-10, 2 Kings 17:13-14, 18) A prophecy that also applied in Jesus’ day (Matthew 13:13-15) But some in Micah’s day would listen (a century later, Jeremiah 26:12-19) As well as in Jesus’ day (Matthew 13:16) We must be as the prophets, the Lord, and his apostles. Teach – many may not listen, but some will hear and heed the word of the Lord.

Introduction – Highlights Gives instruction, warning, encouragement, hope Judgment to Samaria and Jerusalem (Micah 1:6, 3:12) God would have a remnant (Micah 2:12) A coming kingdom of peace (Micah 4) Of the Messiah (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6) The character God desires (Micah 6:8) God’s expectorations for his people (“Hear what the Lord says…” Micah 6:1) Micah - “who is like Jehovah”

Introduction – Outline Introduction and Chapter 1 - Judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem Chapter 2-3 - Woe to those who trouble God’s people with their wickedness Chapter 4-5 - Prophecy of God’s Kingdom and the Messiah Chapter 6-7 - God’s love and pardon for his people

Introduction – Lessons Man’s need to hear to the word of the Lord (Micah 1:2, 3:1, 6:1). “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says…” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)

Introduction – Lessons Recurrent lesson in the prophets - God rules this world. I’m impressed that God simply declares his will and it is done. Reference the centurion’s faith. (Matthew 8:8, Luke 7:1-9)

Introduction – Lessons No one will escape accountability for their actions. When we see injustice toward ourselves or toward others, understand that God will take care of it (now or later, Romans 3:23). We should sorrow for the sin of others and seek to turn them back to God (2 Corinthians 5:11)

Introduction – Lessons We must be as the prophets, the Lord, and his apostles. Teach – many may not listen, but some will hear and heed the word of the Lord.

Chapter 1:1-4 Imperative - the earth must listen to the Lord who rules from heaven “The word of the Lord that came to Micah” (Micah 1:1) Jeremiah 26:16 Words of the noble princes - “he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God” e.g. I Corinthians 14:37 “commandments of the Lord”

Chapter 1:1-4 Imperative - the earth must listen to the Lord who rules from heaven “Hear”- listen to God. I’m reminded of Pharaoh, “who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice” (Exodus 5:2)

Chapter 1:1-4 Imperative - the earth must listen to the Lord who rules from heaven “Hearken, O earth… I will make Samaria a heap…” - Israel would be an object lesson to the earth. Reference our study of Habbakuk. The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20) I’m reminded of Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding that God rules this world (Daniel 4:32, 35)

Chapter 1:1-4 Imperative - the earth must listen to the Lord who rules from heaven Expressive language describing God’s power (Micah 1:3-4) Yet God does have this very power (2 Peter 3:10-11)

Chapter 1:5-7 The root cause for the sin of God’s people was Samaria and Jerusalem Samaria - reference Jeroboam who made Israel to sin (2 Kings 15:28) Jerusalem - kings such as Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-5) Judgment to God’s people. “I will make Samaria as a heap” (Micah 1:6-7)

Chapter 1:8-16 Micah mourned for the evil that would come upon Judah (Micah 1:8-9) Jeremiah 9:1 “oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears…” Expressive language for Micah’s sorrow (Micah 1:8-9) Wailing like the jackals Mourning like the ostrich Wounds are incurable

Chapter 1:8-16 Expressive language of God’s coming judgment – seemingly a long series of play on words (Micah 1:10-16) 10 Declare ye [it] not at Gath, weep ye not at all: # “Tell it not in Gath” – in David’s lament for Jonathan, lest the Philistines rejoice. Maybe became a proverbial saying for a “time of tragedy.” Don’t weep in the time of tragedy. in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust. # house of Aphrah – “house of dust” Roll yourself in dust in the house of dust.

Chapter 1:8-16 Expressive language of God’s coming judgment – seemingly a long series of play on words (Micah 1:10-16) 11 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: # Saphir – “beautiful” Pass by in shame, you inhabitant of beauty.

Chapter 1:8-16 Expressive language of God’s coming judgment – seemingly a long series of play on words (Micah 1:10-16) … 15 Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel. # Adullam – site of the cave where David hid. The glory of Israel would go to the cave.

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