Structure of Micah 3

Micah 3 appears to be a distinct unit of the prophecy (but see below).  It begins with “And I said,” and chapter 4 begins with a disjunctive “it will come about in the last days” (4:1). Within chapter 3, there is an obvious inclusio between verses 1 and 9.  Both . . . . Continue Reading »

Sermon notes

INTRODUCTION Our understanding of the Spirit’s work is often truncated.  We think the Spirit works “personally” but miss the “political” work of the Spirit.  For Micah, though, the Spirit is a Spirit of justice, power, and political courage. THE TEXT “Hear . . . . Continue Reading »

Triple Guide

In Micah 6:4, Yahweh reminds Judah, “I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” The “send before” reminds us of Yahweh’s promise to send His angel before Israel as they traveled through the wilderness and into the land. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam are human analogues to . . . . Continue Reading »

Violence

“Violence” has been inflated dramatically in recent social and political rhetoric. It can refer to everything from a mugging to a classification system that excludes some marginal group. But there is some biblical ground for seeing violence even where there’s not blood. Micah . . . . Continue Reading »

Doing Ahab

Micah condemns the people of Judah for following the ways of Omri and Ahab. We know from Kings that this is precisely what Judah has been doing. Within Micah 6, though, there is a sharp pun. Verse 16 condemns Judah for doing the works of the house of Ahab, while verse 8 commends the right way for . . . . Continue Reading »

Good for Adam

Faced with the indictment from the prophet Micah, Israel asks what it can do to pacify a scarily angry Yahweh. No number of ascensions will do the trick: What Yahweh requires is justice, covenant loyalty, humility (Micah 6:6-8). The famous “Micah Mandate” is addressed to . . . . Continue Reading »

Sermon Outline, First After Epiphany

INTRODUCTION Micah continues his indictment of Israel and Israel’s leaders. But in chapter 6, he gives positive instruction. What God demands is what is good - justice, lovingkindness, and humility (v. 8). THE TEXT “Hear now what the LORD says: ‘Arise, plead your case before the . . . . Continue Reading »

David and Goliath Redux

Sweeney says that “to little to be among the thousands of Judah” (Micah 5:2) means “too young,” and alludes to the “younger son” theme of the Old Testament. This specifically refers to David, the younger son of Jesse. But why “too young to be among the . . . . Continue Reading »