Scofield Reference Bible Notes/Micah

by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - Micah

Read first chapter of Micah
Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah over Judah, and of Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea over Israel 2 Kings 15:23-30; 17:1-6. He was a prophet in Judah Jeremiah 26:17-19 but the book called by his name chiefly concerns Samaria.
Micah falls into three prophetic strains, each beginning, "Hear":

• 1:1-2:13
• 3:1-5:15
• 6:1-7:20

The events recorded Micah cover a period of 40 years (Ussher).

CHAPTER 1

Verse 1

Nineveh (See Scofield "Nahum 1:1")

Verse 6

Therefore
In Micah 1:6-16 the Assyrian invasion is described. Cf. 2 Kings 17:1-18. This is the local circumstance which gives rise to the prophecy of the greater invasion in the last days. Micah 4:9-13 and of the Lord's deliverance at Armageddon. ; Revelation 16:14; 19:17.

CHAPTER 2

Verse 12

remnant
(See Scofield "Jeremiah 15:21")

CHAPTER 3

Verse 12

Therefore
Prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem, fulfilled A.D. 70. Cf. Daniel 9:26

CHAPTER 4

Verse 1

mountain
General predictions concerning the kingdom. In Scripture a mountain is the symbol of a great earth power Daniel 2:35, hills, of smaller power. The prediction asserts

• (1) the ultimate establishment of the kingdom, with Jerusalem for the capital (Micah 4:1);
• (2) the universality of the future kingdom (Micah 4:2);
• (3) its character--peace (Micah 4:3);
• (4) its effect--prosperity (Micah 4:4) 4). Cf. ; Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:1-12

it shall be exalted See "remnant" (See Scofield "Jeremiah 15:21")

Verse 10

redeem
Heb. "goel," Redemp. (Kinsman type). (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20").

CHAPTER 5

Verse 1

Now
The "word of the Lord that came to Micah" Micah 4:1 having described the future kingdom Micah 4:1-8 and glanced at the Babylonian captivities Micah 4:9-10 goes forward into the last days to refer to the great battle (see "Armageddon,") Revelation 16:14, (See Scofield "Revelation 19:17") which immediately precedes the setting up of the Messianic kingdom (see "Kingdom (O.T.)," Genesis 1:26 See Scofield "Zechariah 12:8" also, "Kingdom (N.T.), ; Luke 1:31-33; 1 Corinthians 15:28.
Micah 5:1,2 forms a parenthesis in which the "word of the Lord" goes back from the time of the great battle (yet future) to the birth and rejection of the King, Messiah-Christ Matthew 27:24,25,37. This is followed by the statement that He will "give them up until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth" (Micah 5:3). There is a twofold "travail" of Israel:

• (1) that which brings forth the "man child" (Christ) Revelation 12:1,2 and
• (2) that which, in the last days, brings forth a believing "remnant" out of the still dispersed and unbelieving nation Micah 5:3; Jeremiah 30:6-14; Micah 4:10. Both aspects are combined in Isa. 66. In Micah 5:7 we have the "man-child" (Christ) of Revelation 12:1,2 in Micah 5:8-24 the remnant, established in kingdom blessing. The meaning of Micah 5:3 is that, from the rejection of Christ at His first coming Jehovah will give Israel up till the believing remnant appears; then He stands and feeds in His proper strength as Jehovah (Micah 5:4); He is the defence of His people as in Micah 4:3,11-13 and afterward the remnant go as missionaries to Israel and to all the world. ; Micah 5:7,8; Zechariah 8:23.

Verse 2

everlasting
Cf. Isaiah 7:13,14; 9:6,7. The "child" was born in Bethlehem, but the "Son" was "from everlasting."

Verse 3

remnant
(See Scofield "Jeremiah 15:21")

Verse 7

remnant
The ministry of the Jewish remnant Isaiah 1:9 (See Scofield "Romans 11:5") has a twofold aspect, "a dew from the Lord"; "a lion among the beasts." Turning to the Lord in the great tribulation Psalms 2:5. See Scofield "Revelation 7:14", the remnant takes up the beautiful gospel of the kingdom. See Scofield "Revelation 14:6" and proclaims it under awful persecution "unto all nations, for a witness." Matthew 24:14. The result is seen in Revelation 7:4-14 This is the "dew" aspect, and is followed by the "day of the Lord" ; Isaiah 2:10-22; Revelation 19:11-21. In the morning of which the kingdom is set up in power. Again there is a world-wide preaching to Jew and Gentile, but now it is the word that the King is on His holy hill of Zion (Psa. 2.), and the unrepentant will be broken with His rod of iron. Psalms 2:6-9. The preaching is given in Psalms 2:10-12. This is the "lion" aspect of the remnant's testimony. Revelation 2:26-28. The full kingdom-age of blessing follows the "rod of iron" aspect.

CHAPTER 6

Verse 4

redeemed
(See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20"). See Scofield "Exodus 14:30".

CHAPTER 7

Verse 5

trust
(See Scofield "Psalms 2:12").

Verse 7

Therefore
Micah 7:7-20 is, primarily, the confession and intercession of the prophet, who identifies himself with Israel. Cf. Daniel 9:3-19. Intercession was a test of the prophetic office ; Jeremiah 27:18; Genesis 20:7 But Micah's prayer voices also the heart exercise of the remnant in the last days. Such is prophecy, an intermingling of the near and the far. (Cf) ; Psalms 22:1; Matthew 27:46.

Verse 18

remnant
(See Scofield "Jeremiah 15:21")