The Minor Prophets: Micah

Introduction: We have just finished a third holiday season in which the fantasy literature of J.R.R. Tolkien ruled the box office, garnering millions and millions of dollars as well as impressing three generations with a vision of lands and kingdoms ruled in the name of an absent king. Stewards for the once and future king, there were aplenty, and according to the author’s imagination: seven angelic types (wizards) guided the history of Middle Earth towards marking the proper purposeful end of that mythical era.

We may note further, that every being in the service of Middle Earth’s Creator or Dark Lord: had a special calling and purpose to fulfill. And a nine fingered hero realized that he finally had not the capacity or character to do that for which he was born and called. Providence finally had to be marked out by another, traitorous being. As in all of literature, great and less – there are themes here that go to the very heart and soul of mankind and the grand purpose of a Creator God who will write His-story upon the landscape of His creation.

But, this is only a story after all, and I am afraid that there are many people who know more about Aragon, Gandalf and the characters and events of Middle Earth than they do about the real and true story of God’s people in times like those of Middle Earth, when once the earth was younger and the people of God were challenged by servants of earth’s own dark lord: Satan himself. And yet, the biblical story is grandeur all the more because while it is stranger than fiction: every person and element is absolute in its revealed truth from history and prophetic forth telling.

In another area of contemporary interest is the situation of our own nation and our being now caught up in a long twilight war between Christian values and the intent of murderous terrorists who would presume to subject the whole world to their thirteenth century version of hell on earth. In spite of the biblical mandate that “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord” – the worldly sympathizers of Mohammed would impose their false religious cult at the point of a sword: even killing all of the saints who might stand against their terrible lies and hellish agenda.

Certainly, we realize that we have our own less than prophetic towers akin to Tolkien’s “Isengard.” The false prophets of Islam have attacked the twin Babylonian towers which they would suppose to be the real foundations of our Republic. However, those towers of democracy and capitalism are only imperfect reflections of the biblical foundations realized in and through Western Civilization.

So just as we must appreciate that heroic characters of Tolkien fantasy do indeed mirror what Christian warriors and leaders have always been throughout history, so may we humbly suggest that any culture that becomes Christian in orientation should have some form and substance of democratic government and a free capitalistic economy. But, this is not the end of the story – there is more behind the scenes than we could ever realize unless we are informed by the revelations of scripture. And it is to this purpose that we examine a period in the history of Israel when the prophetic call for reformation and redemption do indeed highlight and inform the political situation of Micah & Isaiah’s day and place.

More than anything else, these prophets point not only to the wise and permanent rule of the coming Lord and King, but also they would highlight the government of peace, security and a promise of prosperity that result from His eternal rule. Of course, we understand that prophetically – we are looking forward to the end of the age when all heaven breaks loose and Christ shall reign forever and ever. However, we must also know and realize that He has always been “Lord of the Kings” of all the earth, and whenever it suits His eternal purpose – he does indeed give us hints and examples of His righteous rule and interest in our material as well as spiritual economy. To that end, let us delve into the history of Micah’s day and see what the Lord of all the earth made of the three kings to whom Micah would preach and in spite of their human frailties we can see what God can do!

Development: We begin our assessment of Micah’s day with a brief outline of the history of the three kings mentioned in verse one. We are told by a secular author Michael Grant that Uzziah’s son “Jotham, who had acted as his regent and finally ascended the throne in his place (c. 756-741 BC), continued his [father’s] successful policies, enlarging and strengthening Jerusalem, building new fortresses elsewhere, and making a financial profit out of the subjection of the Ammonites.” The same author assures us that “from a material viewpoint, … Uzziah’s reign proved impressive. The population of the kingdom considerably increased, and so did its commercial and agricultural activity.”

As evidence for the father-son team’s vast improvement of the Judean economy, the port of Eziongeber with its related trade routs is favorably highlighted. In addition the good wine of Gibeon, the bleached linen of Bath-ashbea, and the wollen industry of Debir, as well as related caravan towns are all mentioned.

However, the purely historic consideration carefully notes that under Jotham’s “son Ahaz (c. 741-725 BC) the tide turned against Judah once again. The Philistines regained lost territory, and Edom successfully revolted” and the scions of Damascas entwined and entrapped Ahaz in military-political problems beyond his skill, power and ability to handle. Only a façade of independence survived and given his all too worldly personal history and disposition: wicked and evil religious rites were performed in order to placate not only the Assyrians and their gods, but also the primitive deities of Palestine as well.

The third king within the historic era of our interest was Ahaz’s son Hezekiah (c. 725-697 BC). Hezekiah proceeded to strengthen his ability to rule and protect his citizens. A special tunnel was constructed to provide the capital with spring water. The southern border was pushed forward and other border fortresses strengthened. The king proceeded “to overhaul the state’s entire administrative and fiscal structure.” In addition, all manner of foodstuffs and supplies were laid aside for the future.

Sensing a political opportunity, Hezekiah joined a coalition of kingdoms to challenge the suzerainty of Assyria. The alliance proved impotent and large scale destruction came upon the rural areas of Judah. Shut up in Jerusalem – the people of God were taunted and urged to surrender. However, by the providence and power of God, the Assyrian Army was laid low by disease and the power and might of Sennacherib, the Assyrian was destroyed. The resulting weakening of the Assyrian military gave Hezekiah and his people a generation’s rest. In gratitude and thankfulness, Hezekiah led and encouraged a national revival.

Application: Into this typical cycle of prosperity and ruin, the Lord appointed His own prophets to speak to these kings and the population in general. Isaiah spoke from the temple precincts and Micah echoed from the rural suburbs. The classic unrighteousness of the people and their leaders was a topic revealed through all the prophets, no less than these latter day prophets as well. Good government should proceed from biblical foundations, but like all the sons of men – in the midst of prosperity and not: sinners there were in abundance and the Lord’s righteous decrees, instructions and even the Covenant were ignored.

Doom and gloom was the usual attitude towards the revealed words of the Lord, even as John Bright highlights Micah’s ministry: “steeped as he was in the traditions of primitive Yahwism, he regarded unrighteousness as a breach of the covenant stipulations which Yahweh would surely avenge.” Please, note the less than objective attitude in those words are not mine!

Bright continues in the same vein: “In a classic passage (Micah 6: 1-8) he imagined Yahweh entering his case against his people, who had forgotten his gracious acts toward them in the past, and also that his demands – which are just and merciful behavior and humble obedience – cannot possibly be satisfied by any conceivable heightening of cultic activity. Micah pronounced a doom on Judah of total proportions. Going far beyond Isaiah, he even declared that Jerusalem and the Temple would be left a heap of ruins in the forest (Micah 3: 12)!”

And yet Micah’s “hope inherent in the Davidic covenant is still retained.” Further Bright writes: “it is expected that Jerusalem will fall, but that Judah, marvelously delivered, will be ruled by a Davidic prince from Bethlehem who will usher in the age of peace.”

Now, what should we make of this minor prophet, one among many? Commentator Michael Bentley notes that “some scholars believe that Micah may have been largely instrumental in bringing about the revival of true religion which occurred during the reign of Hezekiah.” James Montgomery Boice encourages us with this same understanding: “in Micah’s case the message of judgment was heeded, repentance followed, and the disaster was postponed for a century. Hosea and Amos were ignored. Jeremiah was imprisoned. But here was one prophet who was listened to and whose preaching therefore changed history. In coming to Micah we should be encouraged to learn that one man did make a difference.”

Indeed, the prophet Jeremiah owed his life to the memory of the revival that came through the ministry of Micah. Turn with me to Jeremiah 26. In this chapter the prophet is accused of prophesying against the city. Many there were who wanted to execute Jeremiah. But, as the trial moved forward, we read the testimony of verses (17-19):

“And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke … Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah the king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’ Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves.”

Here then, over the next few weeks – we will read the record of a prophet that even Hollywood might respect, because just like in the twentieth century classics of Tolkien, there is a happy ending. But, we must learn to look deeper than Hollywood and the contemporary culture. We must learn to respect the necessary judgment of the God of Gods, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Well did America deserve the sudden disaster marked out by the crumpling of two towers in the big apple by the Hudson.

The editor of World magazine said something similar in the immediate aftermath and he was castigated and reviled widely as were other publicly known evangelists who sang the same prophetic tune. I too had mentioned the same prophetic concern and when I read of editor Belz’s predicament, I wrote him a letter of encouragement to let him know, this is our responsibility to define wickedness, evil and to call for repentance in our own day. And perhaps if we do, then like Jonah and Micah and Isaiah we shall see the Lord stay his hand of judgment and perhaps he will bless our land instead of cursing it, as it so richly deserves by any and every biblical standard. Micah, as we shall learn writes to every time and place and even as he calls for repentance he also promises the blessing of Christ’s peace centuries before the coming of the true King and Lord of all.

Our last comment must be brief, but must also be all encompassing. Only in the light of revelation history do we know the outcome of the Lord’s work during the reign of these three kings. We do not know the future, but if the biblical witness be certain: repentance ought to be in our national and individual future. What will the Lord allow? Even as He was Lord of these three kings, He is Lord indeed of all. May we know that and glory in His gracious rule. Amen.

PREACHING RESOURCES
Bentley, Michael.  Balancing the Books: Micah & Nahum.
Boice, James Montgomery.  The Minor Prophets: An Expositional Commentary 2.
Bright, John.  A History of Israel.
Grant, Michael.  The History of Ancient Israel.
Waltke, Bruce.  Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries:  Micah
The Holy Bible:  English Standard Version.
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