Jan. 11, 2026

Saints & Sinners

The Prophet Micah

Primary Text: Micah 3:8-12; 7:18-19    

1)  Micah of Moresheth

Micah 1:1-5:  The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.  Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it, that the Sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.  Look!  The Lord is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads the high places of the earth.  The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.  All this is because of Jacob’s transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel.  What is Jacob’s transgression?  Is it not Samaria?  What is Judah’s high place?  Is it not Jerusalem?

DQ 1) Who were other Holy Prophets during the time of Micah’s ministry? What were the similarities in their messages?

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2) The Transgressions of Jacob

Micah 3:8-12:  But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.  Hear this, you leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness.  Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money.  Yet they lean upon the Lord and say, “Is not the Lord among us?  No disaster will come upon us.”  Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.

Micah 6:2: Hear, O mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.  For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. 

DQ 2) What might true prophets say to the United States today?

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DQ 3) Why is a prophetic warning of judgment a loving thing yet often spurned by most people?

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3) Expelled to Babylon

Micah 4:10-12:  Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field.  You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.  But now many nations are gathered against you.  They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!”  But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

DQ 4) Why would God use a pagan nation to bring judgment upon Israel?

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4) Mercy & Compassion

Micah 7:18-19:  Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 

Psalm 30:4-5: Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name.  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

DQ 5) Define mercy and compassion.  How are they related to forgiveness?

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DQ 6) Do you believe God is angry with you?  Are you believing a lie?

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5) The Remnant

Micah 2:12-13: “I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.  I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.  One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out.  Their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.” 

DQ 7) Why were prophetic messages of judgment often coupled with declarations of deliverance and restoration?

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