The historical background for Micah can be found in 2Kings, 15-18, and the 7 chapter book can be broken down into a by now familiar format. Chapters 1 through 3 concern the judgement of the people of Israel. Chapters 4 and 5 relate the prophesy of the salvation of the nation and her people. This in many ways parallels the writings of Isaiah which is why Dr. Staats refers to Micah as "little Isaiah." The book of Micah concludes with chapters 6 and 7 announcing both further judgment and joyful salvation for God's chosen people. Micah pens these beautiful words in chapter 6, verse 8, "and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Brian
Marty I would like to reply to your post to Brian. The time period they prophesied was in the eighth century BC in the province of Judah. Micah's name means,"he who is like Yaweh" as Isaiah's name means, "Yahweh is salvation". Both represented to Judah and Jerusalem their namesake in not just saying but demonstrating the greatness of Yahweh's immense compassion and his willingness to forgive and forget sin while in a covenant relationship with him. This message was not welcomed yet they remained firm not only in their pronouncements of judgment but in the day of restoration to come. both bring messianic prophesies of this coming one who would bring restoration in a future day.
As I see it, they kept their eyes on the hope of a brighter day while enduring pain and conflict. We would do well to heed what they saw and said.
I would like to pick up from what Benjamin stated concerning Micah being the "little Isaiah". Both prophets were located in the south in Jerusalem (Isaiah) and in the country (Micah). Both had a similar message to deliver; to the larger crowd and to the smaller crowd as well. It was to Micah that God revealed as to the exact location of the Messiah's birth would be, Bethlehem. It was not to the rich and famous or the "big" city that he chose to come, no it was to a small country town away from all the commotion. Yet these small town folk were confronted with sin and judgement as were their counterparts in Jerusalem. God looks on the heart and this is what he was after no matter where one lives. He is a jealous God who wants worship that is due him.
I like how Benjamin proposed how Dr. Staats came up with this description. I have experienced a large church and am now in a position of Pastoring in a small country church. I prefer the small country setting yet knowing that they are just as susceptible to the things that trip people up in a much larger setting. I will say that they are open to what God is working in my heart and to that I am most thankful. Maybe the country atmosphere is a bit more open to what and where God is moving and doesn't need all the words as Isaiah delivered.
In a culture that preaches bigger, faster, quicker maybe another way of looking at things is smaller, slower and quieter may work as well. These are a few of the things God has been working in my heart as he has been restoring my heart.
Hugh, I can relate to you. I grew up in a very large church in Dayton. When I moved to Toledo for school, I joined and worked in a smaller ministry. I have seen the need for both large and small ministries. I think the number of people one ministers to has nothing to do with being a better or more talented or anointed minister. Isaiah and Micah were both qualified by God to minister to the people they were assigned to. I struggle with understanding that God will work just as mightily with a small church. Thank you for sharing.
I believe Micah is referred to as the little Isaiah, because their writing styles and themes appear to be somewhat similar. I still see Micah as very unique in it's own right.
I have also always thought it was interesting how theologian speak of the theory of "the two Isaiah's," because his writing style changed so much in his last 27 chapter than what it was like in his first 39 chapters. I believe this is prophetic in itself, relating to the 66 books of the Bible, and how the Old and New Testaments seems to have a different style from each other.
Micah being referred to as the 'little Isaiah' has more to do with the scope of his assignment as opposed to the scope of Isaiah's task. Micah and Isaiah had the hard task of preaching th pe Truth of God's judgment to a sinful people. Micah happened to preach to a smaller crowd in a smaller city. I compare Micah to my pastor today. Isaiah can be seen as a modern day Bishop Jakes. Though Bishop Jakes has a much larger audience, he and my pastor are charged by God with the same job, to preach the truth of holiness to sinful people. The other similarity between the two prophets is the time period they preached in. Micah preached from 760-686. Isaiah preached from 740-681.
The historical background for Micah can be found in 2Kings, 15-18, and the 7 chapter book can be broken down into a by now familiar format. Chapters 1 through 3 concern the judgement of the people of Israel. Chapters 4 and 5 relate the prophesy of the salvation of the nation and her people. This in many ways parallels the writings of Isaiah which is why Dr. Staats refers to Micah as "little Isaiah." The book of Micah concludes with chapters 6 and 7 announcing both further judgment and joyful salvation for God's chosen people. Micah pens these beautiful words in chapter 6, verse 8, "and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
ReplyDeleteBrian
Brian,
DeleteYes they both have both judgement and restoration as do most of the prophets.
What about the time period both of them prophesied?
Any similar authorship questions?
--- marty ---
Marty I would like to reply to your post to Brian. The time period they prophesied was in the eighth century BC in the province of Judah. Micah's name means,"he who is like Yaweh" as Isaiah's name means, "Yahweh is salvation". Both represented to Judah and Jerusalem their namesake in not just saying but demonstrating the greatness of Yahweh's immense compassion and his willingness to forgive and forget sin while in a covenant relationship with him. This message was not welcomed yet they remained firm not only in their pronouncements of judgment but in the day of restoration to come. both bring messianic prophesies of this coming one who would bring restoration in a future day.
DeleteAs I see it, they kept their eyes on the hope of a brighter day while enduring pain and conflict. We would do well to heed what they saw and said.
Ben,
DeleteI, also, love this verse. I have often reflected on just what it means to "walk humbly with your God."
--- marty ---
I would like to pick up from what Benjamin stated concerning Micah being the "little Isaiah". Both prophets were located in the south in Jerusalem (Isaiah) and in the country (Micah). Both had a similar message to deliver; to the larger crowd and to the smaller crowd as well. It was to Micah that God revealed as to the exact location of the Messiah's birth would be, Bethlehem. It was not to the rich and famous or the "big" city that he chose to come, no it was to a small country town away from all the commotion. Yet these small town folk were confronted with sin and judgement as were their counterparts in Jerusalem. God looks on the heart and this is what he was after no matter where one lives. He is a jealous God who wants worship that is due him.
ReplyDeleteI like how Benjamin proposed how Dr. Staats came up with this description. I have experienced a large church and am now in a position of Pastoring in a small country church. I prefer the small country setting yet knowing that they are just as susceptible to the things that trip people up in a much larger setting. I will say that they are open to what God is working in my heart and to that I am most thankful. Maybe the country atmosphere is a bit more open to what and where God is moving and doesn't need all the words as Isaiah delivered.
In a culture that preaches bigger, faster, quicker maybe another way of looking at things is smaller, slower and quieter may work as well. These are a few of the things God has been working in my heart as he has been restoring my heart.
Hugh,
DeleteGod often speaks in a "still small voice."
Good thoughts.
--- marty ---
Hugh, I can relate to you. I grew up in a very large church in Dayton. When I moved to Toledo for school, I joined and worked in a smaller ministry. I have seen the need for both large and small ministries. I think the number of people one ministers to has nothing to do with being a better or more talented or anointed minister. Isaiah and Micah were both qualified by God to minister to the people they were assigned to. I struggle with understanding that God will work just as mightily with a small church. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteI believe Micah is referred to as the little Isaiah, because their writing styles and themes appear to be somewhat similar. I still see Micah as very unique in it's own right.
ReplyDeleteI have also always thought it was interesting how theologian speak of the theory of "the two Isaiah's," because his writing style changed so much in his last 27 chapter than what it was like in his first 39 chapters. I believe this is prophetic in itself, relating to the 66 books of the Bible, and how the Old and New Testaments seems to have a different style from each other.
Micah being referred to as the 'little Isaiah' has more to do with the scope of his assignment as opposed to the scope of Isaiah's task. Micah and Isaiah had the hard task of preaching th pe Truth of God's judgment to a sinful people. Micah happened to preach to a smaller crowd in a smaller city. I compare Micah to my pastor today. Isaiah can be seen as a modern day Bishop Jakes. Though Bishop Jakes has a much larger audience, he and my pastor are charged by God with the same job, to preach the truth of holiness to sinful people.
ReplyDeleteThe other similarity between the two prophets is the time period they preached in. Micah preached from 760-686. Isaiah preached from 740-681.
Benjamin,
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that Micah also actually prophesied in a smaller location. I think this is pretty interesting, thanks pointing this out:)