Author: The author is stated clearly in the first verse of the book. Micah was the prophet of the poor and downtrodden. He identifies himself with the village of Moresheth-gath , a small town on the border between Judah and Philistia . Micah saw clearly the conditions and needs of the day, and he met these fearlessly attacking and condemning the sins of the people.

Date: Micah was a younger contemporary of Isaiah and prophesied before the destruction of Samaria and into the reign of Hezekiah ( II Kings 15 – 18:20; Jeremiah 26:18-19 ).

Situation: Although for most of the time covered during the prophecy of Micah, times were good in Judah ; these were still trying days. The land was constantly overshadowed by threat of invasion and foreign rule. Had it not been for the good rule of King Hezekiah and the diligent and fearless preaching of Isaiah and Micah , Judah would have immediately gone the way of Israel .

Even though there were good points, morally Judah presented a dark picture. The wealthy coveted lands; taking away the privileges of the people, and robbed the poor. There were corrupt business practices, in their greed they were like cannibals, and judges judged for bribes.

These were some of the conditions that fanned the fire for the prophecies of Micah, and he did not hold back from declaring to the nation these sins.

Message: The message of the book is simple and one that we have encountered more than once in our reading of the Old Testament. As long as God's people do right they will enjoy His favor; when they turn away from Him and His standard they must suffer punishment.

Notes: As with so many of the prophets, Micah also looks forward and makes a clear presentation of the Messianic hope. He sees God ruling and judging among the nations through a ruler born in Bethlehem and this ruler would be coeternal with God. His enemies would be beaten down and His kingdom would shine among all the nations.

Micah 4:1 “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it.”

Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

Good Reading !