This is probably the most familiar passage from the prophet, Micah, contemporary of Isaiah, who prophesied in the 8th and early 7th century BC. during the reigns of [Uzziah]*, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Isaiah 1:1; Micah 1:1.
Like virtually all the prophets, Micah’s message is judgment because of the sins of the house of Israel. Micah 1:5. But in the midst of this message of judgment, there are powerful statements of hope, promises of deliverance from sin and the provision of righteous leadership. That sounds like Good News! Let’s take a look.
If this seems familiar, it is virtually the same as Isaiah 2:2-4, some of the words on the UN building in New York City. It seemed impossible for Israel in the days when this was prophesied. It seems impossible now in these days of Isis, Iran, North Korea, Russia as the nations of the world are just as set on war as a means to greater glory. Has anything really changed? Efforts toward peace are commendable, but will not be achieved by the nations meeting in New York.
But there is more, pointing to the one who will bring peace to the world, one of the most pinpoint prophecies fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.
Do you see how this is fulfilled in Jesus?
What does this mean? Jesus claimed existence prior to Abraham from 2000 years prior. And his choice of words, I am, are unmistakable. Jesus claimed to be God, from the most ancient of times, beyond time, from eternity. Thus Micah gives us one of the most important prophecies concerning Messiah. He is both man, from Bethlehem, and God , from eternity. This is another prophecy alongside Isaiah 7:14 of the Incarnation, God taking on humanity.
Like the other prophets, there are reminders of God’s past deliverance.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
But deliverance from Egypt, the rescue/salvation story of the Old Testament, pointed to a much greater rescue, and a greater rescuer than Moses, the baby in Bethlehem, who came to be the Savior and King, God incarnate. This is the Gospel foretold by the prophet, Micah.
What about the more familiar verses of Micah 6:8, to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God? How does that fit into the story? Trying to reform ourselves and the world to bring justice, mercy, and humility is all good, but destined to fail if we approach it from that direction. It is the transformation of the heart brought about by faith in Jesus and what Jesus called being born again, that will produce Micah’s famous triple. These are evidences that Jesus has changed our hearts.
The closing verses of Micah are filled with God’s grace, fulfilled in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, initially given to Israel, but ultimately to the whole world, to all who will believe in Christ.
* Uzziah is included in Isaiah, but not in Micah. Isaiah apparently started his ministry in the latter years of Uzziah for it was In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD seated on a throne, high and exalted… Isaiah 6:1 Otherwise, Micah and Isaiah had parallel ministries and most likely knew each other.
**This is explained by Thomas McComiskey in his treatment on Micah in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 7, Daniel and the Minor Prophets.