Bible Book of Micah | Requirement of Righteous Living

A call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God while promising a future ruler from Bethlehem. Micah chapters with summary and commentary.

Genre: Minor Prophet. Theme: Requirement of Righteous Living

Author: Micah
Date: c. 700 BC
Read Time: 25 mins
Purpose: To expose injustice and promise a King.
Key Verse: Mic 6:8 - He 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?
Christ: King born in Bethlehem (5:2).
Audience: The common people of Judah suffering under corrupt leaders
Focus: Balance of judgment and mercy.
Messianic Birthplace: The specific naming of Bethlehem-Ephratah as the origin of the Eternal King.
Leader Critique: Condemns the priests who teach for hire and the prophets who divine for money.

Micah offers a balanced message: God hates the injustice of the leaders but has an eternal plan for a Shepherd-King.

The book alternates between oracles of doom and oracles of hope, ending in a beautiful hymn of God's pardoning grace.

Jesus is the King from Bethlehem (5:2) and the Shepherd who feeds His flock in the strength of the Lord.

Micah 1 - The Coming Destruction

The LORD is coming! The mountains will melt. "I will make Samaria a ruin." Her wound is incurable. Disaster has come to Jerusalem.

Woe to those who plot evil! The LORD says: "I am planning disaster. My people have risen up like an enemy. I will gather a remnant."

You rulers tear the skin from my people. The LORD says, "The sun will set for the prophets." Zion will be ploughed up like a field.

In the last days, nations will come to the mountain of the LORD. Zion will be rescued from Babylon. "I will give you horns of iron."

"From you, O Bethlehem, will come a ruler." The remnant of Jacob will be like a lion. "I will punish the nations that did not obey."

"O my people, have I wearied you?" What does the LORD require? Act justly and love mercy. "I will make you desolate for your sins."

The godly have perished from the earth. But I will look to the LORD. The nations will tremble. Who is a God like you, forgiving sin?