Dan Hanson

NT 4223
Bible Study 2
1/27/16
A. Introduction:
This bible study focuses on key passages from Micah in a hybrid large/small group setting. I
am imagining this bible study could be used as part of a series on the prophets during Lent. A
large group of adults (25-30) may gather together for a soup supper and then a bible study before
worship. The group would consist of adults of all ages and genders. The study will focus
specifically on two themes in the text: judgement and promise. How is it we live as sinner/saints
in a broken world, living the hope of Gods promise? Key passages will include Micah 1:1-7,
3:9-12, 4:1-7, 6:6-13. The bible study will include a large group presentation and then breakout
time in small groups to discuss the implications of Micahs message.
B. Sources
Study Bible: The New Oxford Annotated Bible NRSV 4th EditionThe New Oxford Annotated Bible was produced by Oxford University Press in 2010. It
is an academic study Bible which includes contributions from numerous scholars from a variety
of Jewish and Christian traditions. The author of the introduction and study notes from the book
of Micah is Dr. Gregory Mobley. Dr. Mobley is professor of Christian Bible at Andover Newton
Theological Seminary. Andover Newton Theological Seminary is affiliated with the American
Baptist Churches USA and the United Church of Christ. The interpretation of this text by the
author is supported by historical and literary argument. Though many answers are uncertain, the
author seeks to puzzle out the historical context to which Micah is prophesying.
Bible Dictionary: The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible (Volume 4)--- Micah
The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible was produced by Abingdon Press in 2007.
Abingdon Press is a publishing house of the United Methodist Church. While influential
Methodist scholars had significant leadership roles in producing the resource, the contributing
scholars came from a variety of denominations and global perspectives. The author of the article
entitled The Book of Micah is Dr. Marven Chaney, a professor of Old Testament at San
Francisco Theological Seminary. San Francisco Theological Seminary is affiliated with the
Presbyterian Church U.S.A. While using a historical lens to explore the text, the author also uses
text criticism and literary criticism. In addition, the author concludes the article with theological
interpretation of the book of Micah.
Web: Enter the Bible
Enter the Bible is an online resource produced by Luther Seminary in St. Paul,
Minnesota. It is a brief online introduction to the books of the bible, their context, and themes.
Dr. Daniel Simonson wrote the section on Micah and was a professor of Old Testament at Luther
Seminary. The dates of the article is unknown, though appears to have written in the last decade.
The author seeks to frame the context into which Micah was prophesying, exploring both the
historical and theological worldviews of Judah in the 8th century BCE. The author translates the

complex prophecy of Micah into more accessible terms and offers theological interpretation of
the book.
Commentary: Reading Hosea- Micah: A Literary and Theological Commentary
Reading Hosea- Micah: A Literary and Theological Commentary was published by
Smyth and Helwys in 2013. The author is the commentary is Dr. Terrance Fretheim, professor
emeritus of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. Dr. Fretheim uses a historio-critical approach to
the book of Micah, in addition to literary and theological methods. Uniquely, this source
emphasized situations and practices of economic injustice in 8th century Israel. All four sources
were helpful academic interpretation and explorations of the text.
Background Information
The book of Micah is attributed to a prophet of the late 8th century BCE, of which little is
known. Micah came from the village of Moretheth nearby Jerusalem. Micah preaches a
prophetic word of judgement against Judah, especially those in power in the spheres of religion,
government, and economics. The kings of Judah during the period of Micahs ministry include
Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Most scholars agree the book has been edited to include material
written from the Babylonian Exile and perhaps the return to Jerusalem, yet scholars disagree to
what extent the material is edited.
Micah preaches during a period of expansion by the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians
were a brutal and powerful conquering power and a very real military threat to Judah. As their
northern neighbor, Israel, is about to fall or has fallen to Assyrian conquest, Micah preaches
Jerusalem will be like Samaria, paying for abuses in power and idol worship. Micahs prophecy
challenges Zion Theology, the worldview by which Yahweh lives in the temple in Jerusalem and
therefore will not let the city fall to foreign powers. Micah instead preaches Jerusalem will fall
as Samaria did as a judgement for their actions.
In addition to preaching judgment, the prophet brings a word of promise. Though
Jerusalem will fall, one day it will be a place where all the nations gather to learn the way of the
Lord. In this time, nations will no longer learn war, but beat their weapons into farm
implements. As a whole, Micah calls out Judah for social injustice and the worship of other
gods. Though judgment is necessary for Gods continuing work of salvation for the people, hope
is kindled in a future which God will center in Jerusalem.
Opening: PrayerGracious God, we give you thanks for your Word. We also give you thanks that you raise
up prophets from among your people to speak difficult truths and point to your way of abundant
life. Open our hearts and our minds as we study together. In Jesus name. Amen
Introduction Lecture: 35 Minutes
The teacher will being by giving a short lecture on the following topics to provide
background information to the class before reading the texts. They will cover the following
points to set a context for the reading:
A. What is a prophet? Someone called by God to speak truth to the people- They see
that which is wrong in the world (by Gods standard for life) and they cannot keep
silent or let the issue go. Other examples in Bible- Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos.
Micah is a Minor Prophet.

B. Geopolitical World- 8th Century BCE (Show map)

a. Judah (Southern Kingdom) is split from Israel (Northern Kingdom) since
King Solomons son Rehoboam
b. Jerusalem is capital of Judah, Samaria is capital of Israel
c. World powers include Egypt to the south and Assyria to the north
d. Assyrians brutal conquers
e. In 722 BCE- Samaria was conquered by Assyria, people driven into exile
never to returnAssyrians transported those conquered all over the empire
and mixed them with localsAccording to 2 Kings 17, Assyria attacks Israel
because they tried to make an alliance with a competing power Egypt
C. Who is Micah?
a. We know little about him- His name means, Who is like Yahweh?
b. From the rural village of Moresheth not far from Jerusalem (to the SW) (show
on map)- Has an outside critique of the powers in Jerusalem
c. Preaching in the late 8th century BCE though unsure of exact time frame
d. Lived during a time of expanding international trade, which primarily
benefited the wealthy
e. Preaches a message of judgement and hope to Judah, lets explore this
setting
Teacher directs class to open Bibles to Micah and asks volunteer to read Micah 1:1-7, 3:9-12,
6:9-13, pausing after each section to parse main themes.
Leader: Micah lives in a time of where much is wrong in the world, including in his capital city
of Jerusalem. Micah is called to share Gods anger with the people. In these texts judgement is
the primary theme.
As each passage is read, listen for what reasons God is judging Samaria and Judah.
Micah 1:1-7- *Setting of prophetic word
*Temple was thought of as where God lived. God leaves temple to judge
*High places were worshiping sites to other gods, Micah says that Jerusalem
has become high place of Judah for their infidelity
*Prophet compares Israel to a prostitute. Samaria will be destroyed by God in
addition to the idols worshiped there
Micah 3:9-12
*Micah calls out leaders in Jerusalem who pervert equity and accommodate
unjust systems, these rulers are both civil and religious leaders who take
advantage of the people to make financial gain
*Though they live in Jerusalem, God will not save them from destruction,
Jerusalem will be destroyed.
Micah 6:9-13
*God cries out to Jerusalem- naming Gods nature of justice
* God cannot and will not tolerate economic injustice which pervaded
Jerusalem
(dishonest scales and weights were used to measure goods and money)
*In order that God way for life be made possible, judgement is necessaryGod will strike down Jerusalem

Leader: Micah is not only prophetic words of judgement, but also of hope. Listen for Gods
promise to Jerusalem.
Micah 4:1-7
*Future day people will come to Jerusalem from all of the nations
* There God will instruct the world in Gods way of life for the sake of life
*Nations will change their weapons into farm implement and no longer engage in war
*The people will no longer be afraid
*Passage describes utopia created by God- though not realized, Gods ongoing work of
salvation is present today
Leader: In world with powers at work, both inside and outside our control, what can humans do?
As sinner/saints how can we be in relationship with God? What does God ask of us?
Micah 6:6-8
*Knowing we fall short of God, our relationship broken, Micah wonders how we can
approach God
*Not with burnt offerings or firstborn son
*Instead God asks us to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Break into Small Groups 25 Minutes
Large group breaks into group of 3-4 people. Each small group is provided with the
following questions:
1.) Micah is a prophet who sees that which has gone wrong in world. He calls out economic
injustice, corruption by leaders, and idolatry, for these actions against Gods way of abundant
life. Where do you see injustice and idolatry in the world today? In your own lives? What might
God have to say about these things which are happening in the world?
2.) The world we live in is full of brokenness. As Jerusalem faced destruction, Micah offers a
stunning vision of the world at peace, gathering in Jerusalem (4:1-7). He says that weapons will
be turned into farm implements (4:3). He also said the people will no longer fear anyone (4:4).
What if it was announced the United States was beginning a process of fully disarming its
military to invest in farming. How would you feel? Does this make you more afraid or give you
comfort? Why? What might we individually and collectively have to sacrifice for there to be
peace on earth?
3.) Micah is a story which holds judgment in tension with promise. The deep brokenness of the
world is revealed alongside the hope God can create a new future out of the rumble of past sin.
As Christians we live in a similar tension of judgement and promise, as simultaneously sinners
and saints before God. Micah ponders how to be in relationship with God and neighbor in a sin
filled world. God answers to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. How
might God be calling you to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him?
Closing: Sing Together Hymn: 725 When the Poor Ones