Sometime before 722 B.C.

From the opening verse we learn that Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah. His oracles against Samaria indicate that he served before the fall of Israel’s capital, a time when the North was collapsing under succession crises and corruption. Things in the South were more stable, but nonetheless corruption and injustice were flourishing, and form the backdrop against which Micah preaches.

In the first chapter Micah’s attention is focused primarily on two things: first, that Samaria, capital of Israel (which he refers to as Jacob) and its idols will be beaten to pieces, made a heap in the open country. And second, that her incurable wound…has come to Judah; it has reached the gate of my people, to Jerusalem.

In the ensuing chapters you’ll hear many of Amos’s accusations against Samaria repeated by his contemporary to both capitals. Capture this from the end of chapter 3: 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.

There are multiple charges here, and I’m sure you can notice them. The rest of today’s reading builds around these themes. Listen for Micah’s emotional concern for his people and land as he calls on the rulers to repent.

Our verse for this week is Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Micah 1 through 3. Now let’s read it!