Some elements as to how Micah stands out:
*meaning of Micah’s name
*where Micah is from and who he is criticizing
Key date:
715 BCE (i.e. Micah prophesied during King Hezekiah’s rule)
Key Passages:
Micah can be divided into 3 sections (1-3, 4-5, and 6-7).
Chapter 4 is key to understanding the book.
3:9-12 – Zion plowed into field
5:2-6 (is picked up in Matthew…)
6:1-8 – mission statement that is commonly used (What does the Lord require of you?)
Key scholars:
Walter Brueggemann (3:9-12) – Zion plowed b/c of the heads and rulers
Smith-Christopher (3:9-12) – refers to Zion going back to what it was originally, pushes for moving away from centralized economic religious structures and towards the village model.
Context:
Imagine hearing this prophet if you were under Assyrian rule, and think about what it might mean to you from that context rather than your current situation in America.
Key terms:
Micah (meaning of name), judgment, restoration, plowshares, vineyards, fig trees, Assyrian empire
Other texts you may want to look at:
Isaiah 2 (hard to tell if Micah 4-5 or Isaiah 2 was written 1st, or do both come from a 3rd tradition??)
Joel 2 (also compare with Micah 4-5)