A Prophet With A Purpose

We are starting this 17 week journey through the Book of Micah. Micah is the 6th book in the Minor Prophets. In our English Bible there are 12 Minor Prophet books, in the original Hebrew Bible they were combined into what is called the Book of the Twelve.

Let me start by setting the political stage for you. Micah is generally dated to the late 8th century BC (roughly 750–686 BC). This was a time when both the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) faced internal decay and external threats. Micah’s prophecies are set against the backdrop of the declining political fortunes of these nations. The rise of the Assyrian Empire was a looming threat for both kingdoms. As the book opens, Assyria is about to invade Israel. By the end, this invasion is complete with the Northern Kingdom conquered, scattered, and completely annihilated. Micah’s warnings and pronouncements of impending judgment must be understood in light of this external pressure, as Assyria’s aggressive expansion destabilized the region and exacerbated internal social and political tensions. Not only did they have to fear the Assyrian empire, but there were also regional conflicts and shifting alliances.

The social and economic conditions were not much better. Micah’s oracles vehemently criticize the social injustices of his time. Economic disparities, exploitation of the poor, and corrupt leadership were rampant in both Israel and Judah. Wealthy elites and political leaders were often depicted as abusing their power, contributing to the suffering of the marginalized. These social injustices were not only a matter of economic exploitation but also had profound religious implications. The misuse of temple resources and the intertwining of political power with religious authority contributed to a corruption of worship practices and a loss of genuine devotion among the people.

All of this led to a rocky religious landscape. Syncretism and idolatry were running rampant. During Micah’s time, the worship of Yahweh was increasingly mixed with local cultic practices and idol worship. Such syncretism weakened the exclusive covenantal relationship between the people and God. Micah’s messages call for a return to sincere worship and ethical living, criticizing those who manipulated religion for personal or political gain. Like other prophets (e.g., Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah), Micah condemned the hollow rituals and the moral decay of society. However, he also introduced a vision of hope—a future restoration marked by justice and peace, epitomized in his famous prophecy of a ruler emerging from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

The Book of Micah is typically divided into several distinct sections. The early oracles predict imminent judgment against Israel and Judah for their moral failures, while later passages offer a glimpse of restoration and renewal. This dual focus underscores a theological tension between divine justice and divine mercy.

With that as a backdrop, let’s jump right into the Book of Micah. Micah 1:1. We are only looking at one verse today. On the surface, this verse might seem simple, how in the world can we spend a whole message on it? All we have is a brief introduction of who Micah is and his message. However, if we take a moment we will discover that Micah was not just a messenger; rather, he was a prophet with a profound, divinely ordained purpose. His calling and his message gives us insight in what it means to be committed to walking in God’s truth, justice, and mercy in our lives today.

 The Divine Call: “THE WORD OF THE LORD”.

Micah 1:1a; what was the source of Micah’s message? “The word of the LORD”. This is a technical term for the prophetic word of revelation. Even though Micah is not called a prophet, and the book contains no record of his call, he is nonetheless a true prophet because the Lord revealed his prophetic word to him. Who’s word will Micah be speaking? They are not Micah’s own words or ideas, but the authoritative, life-giving message of God Himself. In ancient times, and indeed today, to speak “the word of the LORD” is to be entrusted with God’s truth. It means that when God calls someone, He speaks directly to that person. Micah did not appoint himself; God chose him and entrusted him with a message that was as relevant to his audience as it is to us today. This introduction sets the tone for everything that will follow. Before we move on let me give you some personal information about Micah. His name means “who is like the Lord”. Micah was not from a distinguished family as his better known counterpart Isaiah seems to have been. He came from an undistinguished , small, country village called Moresheth. It was so small that is was usually called Moresheth Gath. It was called this because of its close proximity to the larger well-known city of Gath. Micah was a rural person, and he was a stranger in Jerusalem when he first arrived to give his prophecies. The main thing to take away from this is not necessarily where he came from, but rather what was his message and from whom did he receive it. Micah’s words were not merely advice or opinion; they carried the weight of divine authority.

In our own lives, God still speaks to us today. While we may not receive messages in the same dramatic fashion as Micah did, His Word remains alive, active, and capable of transforming our hearts and communities. When we listen for His voice and obey His guidance, we too can become bearers of His truth.

 A Prophet in TUMULTUOUS Times.

Micah 1:1b; As we already saw in the introduction, the time of these kings was a time of political instability as well as moral decay. Micah was not ministering during a time of calm and prosperity; it was a time marked by corruption, injustice, and idolatry. Micah’s purpose was two-fold:

 A Call to Repentance - His prophetic word challenged the people to examine their lives, turn from wickedness, and return to a covenant relationship with God. While Micah does not use the modern term “repent” in a systematic way, several passages clearly call for a turning from sin and a reorientation toward God. These passages are often used as calling for repentance: Micah 6:8; only a person who has repented and been transformed can live this kind of life. Micah 7:18-20; this is a picture of God’s forgiving character that invites people to return to him.

 A Warning and a Promise – While Micah warned of impending judgment due to the people’s disobedience, he also offered hope—a future restoration when the people would align themselves with God’s will.

 Just like in Micah’s day, our world faces many challenges. And we are called to live of life of higher standards. We are voice crying out in the darkness with the message of light!

 Living Out a PURPOSE Today.

While Micah was a literal prophet in his time, his life and message carry forward a timeless principle: every believer is called to live a purposeful life that reflects God’s truth and justice. How do we do this?

Hear God’s voice: Just as Micah listened to “the word of the LORD,” we too must cultivate a habit of listening. This means engaging with Scripture, prayer, and the quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit. Scripture encourages us to remain open and responsive (John 10:27). This verse reminds us that being a follower of Christ means continually attuning our ears to His guidance. It calls us to trust that the voice we hear is indeed His, leading us step by step.

Boldly speaking truth: Living out your purpose means not only hearing God’s voice but also courageously proclaiming His truth. Micah did not shy away from challenging societal norms, and neither are we to hide the light of the Gospel (Ephesians 4:15). Paul reminds us that speaking truth truth should always be rooted in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13; In a world where truth can often be unpopular or counter-cultural, this scripture calls us to stand firm, knowing that our strength comes from God. We are called to live out God’s purpose in our life by listening to his voice and speaking truth into our culture.

 The life and message of Micah remind us that God’s call is not confined to ancient times. His purposes remain active and urgent in our world today. Micah’s bold stance in the midst of societal decay challenges us to ask ourselves: Are we living as God’s representatives? Do our lives reflect His character of justice, mercy, and truth? Being a prophet with a purpose often means standing alone, speaking truths that may unsettle the status quo. Yet, we find strength in knowing that we do not act on our own authority; we act as instruments of God’s will.

 As we think about Micah as a prophet with a purpose, may it encourage us to be willing to answer God’s personal call in our own lives. We are reminded that God speaks into our circumstances and entrusts us with His message. We are called not just to listen, but to act—transforming our homes, communities, and beyond with the love, justice, and mercy of our Savior.