TTT (Time Travelers Trail) Bible Characters — Micah
Micah (mentioned in Citation B-1 of the 7-11-11Christian Science Bible Lesson on Sacrament)
Researched by Ben Gladden, Formatted by Warren Huff, CedarS Director
Micah’s “Answered-Prayer/Promise (A.P.) History”: what he chose & did, one step at a time
- Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah in the southern Kingdom of Judah, during the divided kingdoms. He was also a contemporary of Amos and Hosea, prophets in the southern kingdom of Israel.
- Considered one of the twelve “minor” prophets, so-called because of the length of their books, not their importance.
- Micah is Hebrew for “Who is like God?” It also means “poor, humble.”
- Almost nothing is known of Micah’s personal life other than he was from Moresheth, a town near Gath in southwestern Judah.
- He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and the reformer King Hezekiah.
- Micah preached against the idolatry of his times, as well as the injustices and oppression of the leaders of Judah. He scolded the people for their treatment of the poor and for their dishonesty in business.
- Micah preached that true worship of God was “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Mic. 6:8).
- Micah preached a future state of universal peace – “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn way anymore” (See Mic. 4:1-5).
- Micah prophesied the triumph of the Babylonians against the Israelites.
- Micah also faced opposition from false prophets, who said his words were not true
- By crying out against injustice and corruption, Micah and Isaiah prepared the way for the reformer King Hezekiah to institute religious and social reforms.
- Micah also prophesied the triumph of God through a coming Messiah, who would come from “Bethlehem Ephratah” – the house of David (Mic. 5:2-4). These prophesies are familiar to most Christians.
- Although Micah leaves a short record, it is quoted several times in the Gospels – three times in Matthew and once in each Mark, Luke, and John. (Matt. 2:5-6 [Mic. 5:2]; Matt. 10:35-36 [Mic. 7:6]; Matt. 9:13 [Mic. 6:6-8]; Mark 13:12; Luke 12:53 [Mic. 7:6]; John 7:42 [Mic. 5:2])
Ways in which Micah’s story illustrates Christ’s eternal presence – how does it deepen our faith?
How is our understanding of God and Christ uplifted by Micah’s prophesies?
How is our faith that Jesus was the promised Messiah confirmed by Micah?
From Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy.
“PROPHET. A spiritual seer; disappearance of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual Truth.”
In what ways does Micah’s story illustrate God’s design – how does it fits into history?
Would Hezekiah have been able to institute his reforms without Micah’s preaching?
Would early Christians have believed that Jesus was the redeemer, a Messiah, without Micah’s spiritual intuition and conviction?
Would the world today recognize Christ without Micah?
How has the world been influenced by Micah’s prophecy of men beating “swords into plowshares…spears into pruning hooks”?
In what ways can going “back to the Bible” for Micah’s story light our path “Back to our Future” – how can it help you to take its lessons home?
How does Micah’s steadfastness in the midst of opposition inspire us?
How does Micah’s spiritual intuition inspire us?
How does Micah’s ability to listen quietly to God’s commands, and be obedient, in the face of opposition lift us to a higher understanding of God?
What qualities did Micah demonstrate?
Patience
Steadfastness
Spiritual Intuition
Obedience in the face of opposition
