Micah 7 Study Notes

7:1-6 As Micah’s society disintegrated, he responded with tears. Like a field already harvested, Micah found no fruit left in his ministry. No faithful or upright people were left in the land, and the moral fabric of society was decayed. He saw bloodshed, evil, bribes, and wicked plots. It was a time of crisis and panic. Homes and family relationships had disintegrated to the point that no man could trust a friend or even his wife. Children dishonored and rebelled against their parents, making family members their enemies. Jesus quoted Mc 7:6 in Mt 10:35-36 to describe the ramifications of his ministry.

7:7 Micah cried out to God, asking him to transform his nation. Demonstrating personal intimacy with God, Micah declared that he would look to the Lord and wait for the God of his salvation, stating confidently that my God will hear me.

7:8-20 In these verses Micah’s message looked past the coming defeat and destruction (1:1-16) to the future day when the Lord would reverse that judgment. Repentant people would be raised again (7:8-9). Enemies would be defeated and Israel would be rebuilt (vv. 10-11). The exiles would be gathered (v. 12), and a new exodus would take place (v. 15). Because of his promise to Abraham (v. 20), God would forgive sinners who deserved no mercy (vv. 18-19). God always keeps his promises.

7:8-10 As a representative of his people, Micah declared his faith and hope. The Lord’s rage and judgment of sin would be temporary. God’s anger at them was deserved and his punishment was just because the people had sinned against him. One day the prophet would stand up and experience the Lord as his light. The Lord would defend him and establish justice for him. On that day the prophet would see his salvation, and enemies would see it and be covered with shame.

7:11-13 Judah would be rebuilt, and people would come from lands such as Assyria and Egypt. The earth would be made a wasteland because of the evil deeds of her inhabitants.

7:14-17 Using covenant language, Micah prayed for God to shepherd your people and lead your possession (cp. Ex 19:6) to the fertile lands that once belonged to Israel, much like God did in the first exodus from the land of Egypt. When this happened the nations would see God’s power in salvation and be ashamed of their own puny strength. They would cover their mouths in amazement, tremble in fear, and stand in awe in the presence of the Lord.

7:18-20 Hope is based on God’s unchanging character. Who is a God like you . . .? is a question everyone should ponder. Only God can solve our greatest problem—sin. Micah described God’s forgiveness as forgiving iniquity from his sight and passing over rebellion as no longer relevant. God would vanquish their iniquities like a conqueror, and cast their sins into the depths of the sea. God will deal with people’s sins completely. Yahweh is incomparable, gracious and merciful, compassionate, loyal, faithful, and loving (Ex 34:6-7). He cov-enanted with their forefathers Jacob and Abraham (Gn 22:17; 28:14) and would forever show loyalty and faithful love to the people of his covenant. Anyone in covenant relationship with him may rest securely in hope because of his unchanging character.