Dec 11, 2022
MICAH 1-2:
The name “Micah” is a shortened form of
“Micaiah,” which means, “Who is like Yahweh?” A different Micaiah,
the son of Imlah, served as a prophet in the Northern Kingdom
during the reign of King Ahab of Israel (874-853 B.C.,
1Kings 22:8-28; 2Chron.
18:3-27).
Micah prophesied during the reigns of the Judean kings Jotham (750-732 B.C.), Ahaz (732-715 B.C.), and Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.). This makes him a late eighth-century contemporary of Isaiah. While Isaiah was ministering in Jerusalem, perhaps Micah was more of a country prophet. Amos and Hosea were preaching at the same time in the Northern Kingdom. Micah’s message is similar to that of Amos, and Micah spoke at a time when conditions in Judah were much like those in the Northern Kingdom while Amos was preaching. Both prophets denounced social sins and the unfair treatment of the poor by the rich. The Northern Kingdom was taken into captivity during Micah’s lifetime— fulfilling Amos’ prophecies.
Micah contains three notable passages about Christ:
ISAIAH 50:
As
we heard yesterday, Isaiah 49 includes these words that are quoted
in 2Cor 6:2:
Is.
49:8 NLT “At just the right time, I will respond to
you.
On the day of
salvation I will help you.
And these next words are frequently repeated by the Lord elsewhere, therefore, IMPORTANT:
Is. 49:23b NLT Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Those who trust in me will never be put to shame.”
REVELATION 3a:
The
churches of Pergamum and Thyatira (chapter 2) were enduring and
remaining loyal to Jesus. But both were allowing the corruption of
false teaching that promoted adultery and idolatry. Jesus warned of
severe punishments including death for those who failed to repent,
and also wonderful promises to those who are victorious. I
especially love the last promise to the church in Pergamum because
it shows how intimately Jesus knows us and how his rewards will be
appropriate for each of us:
Rev. 2:17b NLT And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.
GNT Translation
notes:
Rev. 3:7 “To the
angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “[I am the one who is
holy and true. My message to you is this://This is the message from
the one who is holy and true.] [I have//He has] the key that
belonged to David, and when [I open//he opens] a door, no one can
close it, and when [I close a door//he closes it], no one can open
it.
12 I will make those
who are victorious pillars in the temple of my God, and they will
never [have to] leave it. I will write on them the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which will
come down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my
new name.