The simple prophet saw through the veil of Judah's aristocratic sophistication and voiced out God's concern for the sufferings of the common people as he was gripped by the Spirit of the LORD to condemn the sin that's plaguing the nation (3:8-12). Though he directed his message primarily at southern Judah, the fall of Samaria was also predicted against northern Israel as both nations came under the threat of Assyria. And while Judah was temporary spared while her neighbor Israel fell, it too was destined for captivity by the Chaldeans which was under Assyrian dominion at the time.
In the midst of divine judgment and punishment, Micah saw a ray of hope in the coming of a kingdom where righteousness reigns under Messiah's rule. Corruption, violence and pride will be replaced with justice, love and humility—these are the very attributes that God desires in all those who know and love Him. The God who executes judgment is the same God who delights in mercy, just as Micah whose name means 'who is like God' declared:
7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.
OUTLINE OF MICAH
1. First Controversy: Punishment (1:1-3:12)
a. Judgment on the People (1:1-2:13)
Samaria | Judah
Reason | Restoration
b. Judgment on the Leaders (3:1-12)
Princes | Priests | Prophets
Presumption | Penalty
2. Second Controversy: Promise (4:1-5:15)
a. The Coming Kingdom (4:1-13)
Established | Exalted | Empowered
b. The Coming King (5:1-15)
Birth | Rejection | Reign
3. Third Controversy: Pardon (6:1-7:20)
a. Guilt of the People (6:1-16)
Ungrateful | Ungodly | Unscrupulous
b. Grace of God (7:1-20)
Lament over Sin | Look for Salvation
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