Micah

About Micah

Micah swings between fierce judgment and tender hope, condemning leaders who devour the poor and prophets who preach for pay. He famously boils down what God wants into one line: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. He also names the small town where Israel's true ruler will be born, Bethlehem. In the Bible's story, Micah pairs a demand for everyday justice with a promise that leads straight to the manger.

Written by

The book presents the words of Micah of Moresheth, a small-town prophet in Judah, and his authorship is broadly accepted, though some scholars think parts were added later.

When

Micah preached from about 735 to 700 BC, during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, alongside his contemporary Isaiah.

Themes

• Justice, mercy, and humility
• Judgment on corrupt leaders
• A ruler from Bethlehem
• God who pardons sin
• Hope for the remnant

Key verses

• Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
• Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
• Micah 7:18-19Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.