The Prophet Micah

Depiction of Micah

The Prophet Micah was born in the 8th century B.C., and while not a lot is known about his personal life, he was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos and Hosea. Micah was considered one of the twelve minor prophets [of the Tanakh/Old Testament] and his prophecies flourished between 737-696 in the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel.

It is recorded that Micah was from the small village of Moresheth-Gath, in southwest Judah, and he prophesied during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah. His warnings were mainly directed toward Jerusalem (in the southern kingdom of Judah). His message was clear when he predicted the future destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria (in the northern kingdom of Israel) with firm attestation. He also predicted a future restoration of the Judean state. One of his most famous predictions was that of the Messiah being born in the town of Bethlehem: 

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

This ancient prophecy is recalled in the Gospel of Matthew [in the New Testament]. 

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’" (Matthew 2:6)

Engraving of the Prophet Micah
by Gustave Doré

Micah was also very vocal when it came to the dishonesty and idolatry of Judah and his rebuke of the people was steadfast. This ancient prophet was proclaiming the messages of God before the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C. and his warnings continued past Sennacherib's invasion of Judah in 701 B.C. 

The Minor Prophet, while mainly directing his reprimands to the Southern Kingdom, was also known to point out the corruption of city life to both Judah and Israel.

The Prophet Jeremiah, who prophesied about 30 years after Micah, acknowledged his predecessor. 

“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says:‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets." (Jeremiah 26:18)

During his denunciations and prophecies, the ancient messenger of the Creator correctly predicted the destruction of both Samaria and Jerusalem for the sins of the people. Jerusalem was rebuked for the extravagant expenses of beautifying the city by dishonest business practices, which brought impoverishment upon the lower class people. Samaria was reprimanded for worshipping idols which were purchased with the income earned by prostitutes, as well as government corruption and dishonesty in the marketplace. 

Micah told the people of the ancient Jewish nations what the Lord required of them: 

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Depiction of the Conquest of Judah

It is interesting to note that Micah was the first Old Testament prophet to predict the downfall of the kingdoms. The Holy Cities were defeated - 1) during Micah's prophesying around 722 B.C. (Samaria); 2) during the siege of Jerusalem by Babylon (Judah) in 597 B.C. and 587 B.C respectively. Micah's prophecy came to fruition.

This prophet not only prophesied about the destruction of Judah and Samaria, but also predicted future happenstances, such as the Judean state being gloriously restored (Micah 4:1-2). He promised there would be an universal peace over which a "Ruler" will reign from Jerusalem (Micah 5:4-6). Micah also declared that when the House of Jacob was restored the Lord would force the Gentiles to abandon their practice of idolatry (Micah 4:6).

Another futuristic prophecy given in Micah 3:12 outlines the future destruction of Jerusalem and the plowing of Zion. Was Micah referring to the conquest of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. or was this a reference to the End Times? Scholars and theologians continue to debate that one. The ancient seer's declaration is repeated in Jeremiah 26:18, and is the only prophecy re-told [of Micah] in the Old Testament.

Depiction of Bethlehem

The prophecy revealing the Messiah's birthplace can be found in Micah 5:2 and recalled in the New Testament (Matthew 2:6). The fulfillment of this prophecy of the Messiah's birth is further described in Matthew 2:1-6. It is interesting to note that Jesus quoted Micah in Matthew 10:35-36. While Micah was referring to the division in Judah and Samaria, Jesus was talking about the division between mankind and God. 

The Prophet Micah was very instrumental in spreading God's message to the people. His reprimands and call to repentance promised a future kingdom of salvation through the Messiah, and he continually reminded the ancient Jewish nation of the Creator's covenant to be merciful to Jacob and show love to Abraham and his descendants (Micah 7:20).

"(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." (Luke 1:70-75)