Questions from the Scripture text: What came? Whose Word? To whom? Where was Micah from? In the days of whom did he prophesy? Who were they? Concerning which two cities did he prophesy?
What is Micah about? Micah 1:1 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Micah is about the incomparable God, and His glorious salvation of sinners.
What it really is, the Word of YHWH. What the Thessalonians recognized bout the preaching of Paul, Silas, and Timothy (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13), we must recognize about the book of Micah. We must welcome it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, “the Word of YHWH,” which also effectively works in you who believe.
How we got it. It came to Micah. Literally, it “was unto” Micah. Micah didn’t seek it or ask for it. YHWH foisted it upon him. Micah 1:1 says essentially the same thing as 2 Peter 1:21. This prophecy did not come by the will of man. The man, whom God set apart, spoke as the Word of YHWH “was unto” him by the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes, we see a man’s hometown because it is significant. In this case, we learn about Moresheth for exactly the opposite reason. Moresheth isn’t known for anything else. It’s a nowhere. And, comparatively speaking, Micah is a nobody. The man is nothing; the Word is everything. There is a respect and gratitude due to the servant, but the greatness belongs entirely to the Word itself.
What it addressed. The “what” question, here, is a bit of a “when” question. From at least the last year of Jotham’s reign to at least the first year of Hezekiah’s reign. During this time, the north (capital city, Samaria) was in the process of falling to Assyria, and the south (capital city, Jerusalem) was under increasing danger of the same. But the great threat isn’t power-hungry Assyria so much as a justly offended holy and righteous God.
But there is no one like this God. That’s what Micah’s name means: “Who is like YHWH?” This book takes us through three cycles of judgment and hope (chapters 1–2, 3–5, 6–7). There is a future coming (cf. Micah 2:12–13), particularly in the person of a promised King (cf. Micah 5:2, Micah 5:7–9), in which God will have wiped out all of His remnant’s sin and guilt (cf. Micah 7:18–20).
And this is exactly the problem and hope of every child of Adam, including the one typing this devotional, and the one reading it or hearing it. We have provoked the wrath of a just, holy, and almighty God. But our hope is in the promised—now fulfilled—King, in/with Whom a remnant are forgiven and blessed forever. And the conclusion to which such grace and deliverance brings us is this: who is like YHWH?
What are the presenting problems in your circumstances right now? But what is your ultimate problem? Where can you learn about a solution to it? What is that solution—i.e., Who is that solution, and how?
Sample prayer: Lord, who is like You? Like Samaria and Jerusalem, we have sinned against You. Forgive us for considering earthly problems, like Assyrian invaders in their life, or other problems in our lives, as our biggest problem. Our biggest problem is our sin against You, and Your wrath against us. Thank You for sending to us Your Word about Your gospel of Your salvation. Forgive us for when we are not duly impressed with the fact that Scripture is indeed the written Word of God. Make us to receive Your Word and respond to it in faith and worship, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH434 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone”
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