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. 1:1). 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. 26:18). Other instances of a similar kind might be adduced, as Jonah in 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. 4:1-3 with Isa. 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. 5:2 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. 2:4-6).
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; 3:12). Samaria has been more than once termed by the sublimest of the prophets, "the crown of pride" (Isa. 28). 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.