Micah 1

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

A Prediction of the Fall of Samaria

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The fall of Samaria was predicted.

  2. The fall of Jerusalem was predicted.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Are you willing to be embarrassed for the Lord?

QUESTIONS

  1. Which prophet in the Old Testament predicted that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem?

  2. Micah had a long period of ministry. About how long?

  3. What does it mean when we say that Micah was a pre-exilic prophet?

  4. Micah predicts the fall of which two cities?

  5. Who is called upon to be a witness of the Lord’s just judgment? See Micah 1:2.

  6. See Micah 1:3. What were the high places and what was their purpose?

  7. See Micah 1:5. What is meant by the transgression of Jacob?

ANSWERS

  1. Micah. See Micah 5:2

  2. At least fifty years.

  3. His ministry was before the Jews went into exile as captives in Babylon.

  4. Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

  5. All nations are called upon to be a witness of the Lord’s just judgment.

  6. They were places with altars and shrines used for idolatrous worship.

  7. Samaria’s sins included worshiping at the high places of idolatry and prostitution.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Because of idolatry, immorality, and injustice, both Israel and Judah came under God’s judgment.  What about today?  What “high places” does our nation pursue?  What about in your own life?  God’s judgment still falls on all who seek other gods.

  2. Not long after Samaria fell, the Assyrians attacked Judah, yet the city was spared through King Hezekiah’s prayers. Sadly, Judah continued its moral and spiritual decline, and in 586 B.C. the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem—just as Micah had foretold. What does Judah’s story teach us about the power of prayer and the danger of ignoring God’s warnings?

CHALLENGE

  1. In Micah 1:8, the prophet used role play to dramatically portray the coming invasion—a humiliating task for him.  Would you be willing to be embarrassed for the Lord?  What if He asked you to share your testimony in public, or simply thank Him for your food in a restaurant?

KEY VERSES

  • “Hear, all ye peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it. Let the Lord God be a witness against you…” Micah 1:2

  • “Behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread the high places of the earth.” Micah 1:3

  • “…I will make Samaria a heap of ruins…” Micah 1:6

  • “…disaster came down from the Lord to the gate of Jerusalem.” Micah 1:12



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