Micah

The book of Micah is attributed to the prophet Micah of Moresheth, a small town in the foothills of Judah southwest of Jerusalem. He ministered during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, roughly between 735 and 700 BC — a turbulent era marked by the Assyrian threat, the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel, and deep social corruption within Judah. As a rural prophet, Micah brought an outsider's perspective to Jerusalem's power centers, speaking with particular passion for the poor and marginalized who were being exploited by the wealthy and powerful.

Micah's central purpose is to call both Israel and Judah to account before a holy God, warning that judgment will follow persistent covenant unfaithfulness. His message weaves together sharp denunciations of corrupt leaders, false prophets, and unjust merchants with breathtaking promises of restoration and hope. The book contains one of Scripture's most beloved verses, declaring that God requires his people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with him (6:8). Micah also delivers a remarkable prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (5:2), pointing forward to Jesus Christ. Throughout, the tension between divine justice and divine compassion finds its resolution in God's steadfast love for his people.