Micah is termed "the Morasthite," from Moresheth-Gath, a town of Judea. He was one of the early prophets, being contemporary with Isaiah, who, like our prophet, looks forward to Israel's external enemy in the closing days—the Assyrian. Hosea and Amos were also contemporary prophets. His predictions were continued through the reigns of three of Judah's kings, and had special reference to the capitals of the two kingdoms, Samaria and Jerusalem (Mic. 1:11The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. (Micah 1:1)). The whole nation is sometimes spoken of as Jacob (what the people were by nature), and at other times as Israel (what the people were by grace).
We have a prediction of Micah's referred to in Jeremiah (Jer. 26:1818Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest. (Jeremiah 26:18)). Other instances of a similar kind might be adduced, as Jonah in 2 Kings 14:2525He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher. (2 Kings 14:25), showing how each part of the Word of God is bound up with the other, and that if Divine authority is denied for any book, you must for all, for the Word of God is one whole; one mind pervades the blessed volume, and "the Scripture cannot be broken." This unity of design is further illustrated by comparing the beautiful millennial scene of Mic. 4:1-31But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Micah 4:1‑3) with Isa. 2:2-42And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:2‑4). Other points of resemblance might be adduced between these prophets, both in the subjects and style of treatment. Isaiah, of course, is wide and comprehensive, much more so than any of his prophetic brethren.
Jerusalem, being specially named as the object of Divine judgment, necessarily involved the nation of which it was the center. The same thing is true of Samaria, capital city of the ten-tribed kingdom of Israel. The world, too, comes in to share the judgment in connection with Israel, for Jehovah "cometh forth out of His place;" judgment is His strange work. The intimation of a glorious future for the nation of Jehovah's choice, as also for the world at large, is very full, and strongly, and beautifully expressed. "The Assyrian," so largely treated of in the prophets, especially Isaiah (Isa. 10, 28, 30, etc.), comes in here for special notice. The first oppressor of Israel and her last, will again enter Judea after the people have been restored, but will be opposed by Christ, then returned to the land. The Assyrian will be hopelessly destroyed, and Christ will become the peace of restored and happy Israel.
Earlier Scripture had pointed out the suffering and reigning Messiah as descended from Abraham, from Judah (the royal tribe), and from David (the royal house); but another link in the chain of Messianic prediction was needed, and this Mic. 5:22But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2) supplies. The birth-place of our Lord is here named, and it was this Scripture that the priests and scribes referred to in proof of our blessed Lord's human genealogy (Matt. 2:4-64And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. (Matthew 2:4‑6)).
The prophetic announcement of judgment upon the religious capital of Judah, and the proud capital of Israel—Jerusalem and Samaria—have been fulfilled with remarkable exactness (Mic. 1:6; 3:126Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof. (Micah 1:6)
12Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. (Micah 3:12)). Samaria has been more than once termed by the sublimest of the prophets, "the crown of pride" (Isa. 2812To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:12)). Where is the city that reared its head in pride and glory above the surrounding towns and villages? She is gathered in HEAPS! The broken columns, stones, and ornaments composing the city have been hurled down the mountain on which it stood, and discovered "the foundations thereof."
Zion was to "be plowed as a field." The plow was literally passed over the site of the city after its destruction under Titus, by the Roman general, Turnus Rufus, who did so under orders received from Rome. This ancient custom was meant to express the utter degradation of the conquered city.
GENERAL DIVISIONS.
1.-Jehovah's summons to the people and earth. Expostulations and threatenings followed by premises securing the triumph of all Israel. Mic. 1, 2.
2.-Jehovah's summons to the heads and princes of Israel. In this section the predictions of future blessing are unequaled in the prophetic word. Mic. 3.-5.
3.-Jehovah's summons to the mountains and foundations of the earth. God's controversy with the people and the iniquity owned. Mic. 6, 7.