Jacqui: 0:12

Greetings listeners. Have you ever wondered what God is really looking for from you? Is it about doing enough good things, following all the rules, showing up to church every week? Well, the prophet Micah cuts through all the noise and gives us one of the clearest answers in the Bible it's not about appearances, it's about a heart that walks closely with God, heart that walks closely with God. So if you've ever felt overwhelmed by performance pressure or religious activity that feels empty, Micah is speaking your language. We're starting a new journey today into the book of Micah, a short but powerful message of God's justice, mercy and hope. So grab your Bible and let's walk through it together. Well, welcome everyone.

Jacqui: 1:15

I'm your host, Jacqui Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where weekly, we break down the basics of the Bible into understandable, bite-sized chunks. Today, we're opening up the small but mighty book of Micah. Let's set the scene. Micah lived about 700 years before Jesus, during a dark time in Israel's history. God's people were divided, two kingdoms Israel in the north and Judah in the south and while prophets like Isaiah were speaking from the center of power, micah came from a small farming village called Moresheth, southwest of Jerusalem. He wasn't a palace insider. He was one of the everyday people, but through him, god's messages were bold and they didn't pull any punches. Micah spoke to both kingdoms, but especially to Judah in the south and its capital, jerusalem. He aimed his words at the corrupt priests, dishonest judges and wealthy elites who were leading people away from God. These were leaders who looked religious on the outside but were taking from the poor, ignoring justice and living for themselves. Micah's name means who is like the Lord, and the answer is clear no one. But that's the tension running through his whole message. If no one compares to God, why were his people turning to idols, corrupt leaders and empty religion? Now let's examine the main messages found in this book.

Jacqui: 3:19

Micah was sent by God to call his people, especially in Judah, back to right, living a life where their actions matched God's heart for justice and mercy. This wasn't about religious talk or routine. It was about how they treated others, how leaders used their power and whether the people still honored God in their everyday lives. Micah spoke especially against those leaders, priests, prophets, judges and landowners who were supposed to protect the people but instead using their positions to take from the poor and benefit themselves. And we see all that in chapter 3, verses 1 through 4, and chapter 2, verse 1 and 2. And Micah didn't sugarcoat anything. He brought a serious warning. Judgment was coming. But this wasn't just about punishment, it was a wake-up call, a chance to turn back before it was too late.

Jacqui: 4:29

Now here's something powerful about how Micah shared God's message. He used courtroom language like a prophet slash lawyer. He brings a case against the people on God's behalf. He brings a case against the people on God's behalf In chapter 6, verses 1 and 2, he even invites the mountains to hear the trial, as if creation itself is being called as a witness. He also lays out the charges Idolatry we see that in chapter 1, 7 and chapter 5, verse 12 and 14. Injustice Micah 2: 8-11 and 3: 8-11. And empty religion. That's Micah 6, verses 6 and 7. Micah also spoke God's words with authority. He didn't appeal or plead, he declared, instructed and indicted. Those words carried the weight of someone delivering a verdict, not offering advice.

Jacqui: 5:39

His prophecy is structured in three oracles. Oracles mean three distinct messages or speeches. Each one begins with the word hear or listen, depending on your Bible translation. Hear or listen, depending on your Bible translation. In chapter 1, verse 2, it begins with Hear, o peoples. In chapter 3, verse 1, it begins with Listen, you, leaders of Jacob. And in chapter 6, verse 1, we see Listen to what the Lord says. Listen to what the Lord says. It's like God is calling the people into court to hear his case.

Jacqui: 6:21

And in each oracle Micah moves from judgment to hope, from confronting sin to reminding the people of God's mercy. And the heart of God's message in this book is Micah 6.8. He has shown you, o man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. The people ask what God wants from them. They made suggestions. How about burn offerings? How about rivers of oil? Even their firstborn children? We see that in chapter 6, verses 5 through 7. We see that in chapter 6, verses 5 through 7. Micah responds, making it clear that this wasn't about rituals or outward religion. God was after their hearts, their lives, their actions. So let's bring that forward to today.

Jacqui: 7:33

Picture someone who shows up to church every week, sings all the songs, maybe even volunteers, but all week long they lie, manipulate others and ignore the needs around them. Micah would say God isn't impressed by big performances. He's looking for justice, mercy and humility lived out in real life. But Micah doesn't stop there. He gives us hope, not vague optimism, but a real, solid promise. But you, bethlehem, ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. That was Micah.

Jacqui: 8:35

Chapter 5, verse 2, where he speaks of a ruler coming from Bethlehem. He's referring to Jesus, the Messiah, who would shepherd his people with strength and bring peace. Even in the middle of dark times. God was already preparing a path for restoration. God was already preparing a path for restoration. Even when we fail again and again, he remains faithful. True peace and justice will come when the Messiah reigns, and through Jesus that kingdom has already begun. And the book ends with one of the most beautiful portraits of God's character, who is a God like you Remember that's Micah's name who pardons sins and forgives. You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago. That was chapter 7, verses 18 through 20. God's judgment is real, but so is his mercy.

Jacqui: 10:16

Now let's look at Micah's use of prophetic imagery. Micah didn't just preach sermons. He painted pictures with his words. His prophecy is full of vivid, unforgettable imagery that helped his audience understand the seriousness of what was happening and what was coming. In chapter 1, verse 6, he describes Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, being reduced to a heap of rubble in a field. That's not just poetic language. He's talking about real destruction because of their idolatry and injustice.

Jacqui: 11:00

Micah chapter 2, verses 1 through 2, gives us another image. He describes people lying in bed planning evil like it's part of their morning routine. Evil like it's part of their morning routine. It's a picture of intentional sin People dreaming up schemes at night and then carrying them out first thing in the morning without a second thought. He also compares leaders to cannibals eating the flesh of people In chapter 3, verses 1 through 3, flesh of people in chapter 3, verses 1 through 3.

Jacqui: 11:41

It's graphic. On purpose, micah says they're devouring the very people they're supposed to protect. That's how deeply injustice had taken root. Those in power were feeding off the vulnerable instead of caring for them. But there's hope in those images too. In chapter 4, verses 3 and 4, he shares a peaceful picture of the future, a time when people will beat their swords into plowshares and sit under their own vine and fig tree with no one to make them afraid. These reflect visions of long-term stability, justice, peace and restoration. A world made right. These word pictures made Micah's message stick. They were bold, sometimes uncomfortable, but always clear. God wanted his people to wake up to see the damage of injustice and the beauty of walking in his way. Now let's talk about how this book connects to Jesus.

Jacqui: 12:56

Micah's message wasn't just about judgment and justice in his own day. It pointed forward to someone who would come and fulfill everything Micah hoped for. Let's revisit a few key verses, but this time let's listen with Jesus in mind. Each one shines a light on who he is and why he came Again. Micah 5.2. But you, bethlehem, ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler. This promise wasn't just about a political leader. It was about a different kind of king political leader, it was about a different kind of king. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, born in the small town of Bethlehem we see that in Matthew, chapter 2, verse 5 and 6, but he didn't come with military power, he came as a shepherd king, leading with strength, compassion and peace.

Jacqui: 14:17

And then there's Micah 6:8. He has shown you, o man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Jesus didn't just teach this, he lived it perfectly. He acted justly by welcoming the outcast, he showed mercy to the sinner, he walked humbly with the Father, even to the cross. And now he invites us to follow him in the same way, not through rituals, but through relationship, not by trying harder but by trusting.

Jacqui: 15:07

And lastly, we'll look at Micah, chapter 7, verses 18 through 20. Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Through Jesus, this becomes personal. At the cross, god didn't just declare forgiveness, he paid for it. Jesus took the weight of our sin and buried it once and for all.

Jacqui: 15:58

Micah's name means who is like the Lord, and in Jesus we see the full answer. There was no one like him faithful, forgiving and full of grace. So when we ask where is Jesus and Micah? He's in the promised king, the righteous servant, the merciful God. Micah shows us that even when judgment is deserved, god's mercy is never far behind. And in Jesus that mercy has a name.

Jacqui: 16:36

So here's the core of Micah's message God takes sin seriously, he cares deeply about how we treat others. He will bring justice, but he also offers forgiveness, restoration and hope. Offers forgiveness, restoration and hope. Micah reminds us that what matters most isn't impressing God with big achievements. It's not about performance or religious routine. It's about walking with him day by day, with a heart that reflects his love and his justice, that reflects his love and his justice.

Jacqui: 17:17

So if you've ever wondered what God really wants from you, micah gives the answer loud and clear Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. As you go through your week, maybe ask yourself where can I act justly? Where can I show mercy? Where can I walk humbly with God? Next time we'll be looking at another powerful prophetic book Nahum, a message about God's justice in a world full of violence. God's justice in a world full of violence. Until then, keep reading, keep seeking and keep growing in your faith and, as always, if this episode helped you, share it with a friend, leave a review and subscribe if you're on YouTube, so you don't miss what's next.