Micah 1

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

A Prediction of the Fall of Samaria

BACKGROUND NOTES

Which prophet in the Old Testament predicted that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem?
The divided kingdoms: a. Name the capital of the Northern Kingdom. b. Name the capital of the Southern Kingdom.
Micah had a long period of ministry. About how long?
In which kingdom did Micah minister?
What does it mean when we say that Micah was a pre-exilic prophet?
Micah predicts the fall of two cities. Which two cities?
Who is called upon to be a witness of the Lord’s just judgment? See Micah 1:2.
See Micah 1:3. What were the high places and what was their purpose?
See Micah 1:5. What is meant by the transgression of Jacob?

Micah. See Micah 5:2
a. Samaria b. Jerusalem
At least fifty years.
Primarily in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, but his ministry did extend to the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
His ministry was before the Jews went into exile as captives in Babylon.
Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
All nations are called upon to be a witness of the Lord’s just judgment.
They were places with altars and shrines used for idolatrous worship.
Samaria’s sins included worshiping at the high places of idolatry and prostitution.

Because of idolatry and immorality and social injustice both the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom came under the judgment of God. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, whose capital was Samaria, was conquered by the Assyrian Empire in 722 B.C. This was predicted by Micah and the prophecy was fulfilled in his lifetime. What about today? Can you name some “high places” in our nation? Has our nation played the harlot, seeking gods other than the one true God? Can you identify the “high places” in your life? Remember, God’s judgment must fall and will fall on all who seek other gods.
Not too many years after the fall of Samaria, the Assyrians made their move against Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. They conquered the outlying cities that ringed Jerusalem and they fought their way to the very gates of Jerusalem, but they never conquered that city. They were given a reprieve because of King Hezekiah’s prayers. Judah, however, continued to go downhill both morally and spiritually. Thus the Lord permitted the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar to weep in and conquer Jerusalem in 586 B.C. So the fall of Jerusalem did take place as predicted by Micah. There are some lessons here for us today. God’s righteous judgment condemns places and people who do not honor the Lord and who fail to return to Him after His warnings. Another lesson is that the prayer of a godly person can stay the Lord’s hand of judgment. See 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 and James 5:16-18.

See Micah 1:8. The prophet Micah, in order to dramatically emphasize the terrible conditions of the coming invasions, did a role play. This would have been pretty embarrassing for him. Would you be willing to be embarrassed for the Lord? He might ask you, for example, to give your testimony on a street corner or on an airplane. Would you be willing to be embarrassed for the Lord? What about praying, thanking God for your food in a public restaurant? Is this standard practice for you?

“Hear, all ye peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it. Let the Lord God be a witness against you…” Micah 1:2
“Behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread the high places of the earth.” Micah 1:3
“…I will make Samaria a heap of ruins…” Micah 1:6
“…disaster came down from the Lord to the gate of Jerusalem.” Micah 1:12