The book of Micah is a challenging read. Partly because of the brutality of the landscape in which it was written over 2720 years ago. But also because the corruption and warfare it describes are as much in evidence today.
'2 The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.
3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire – they all conspire together.
4 The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge.' (Micah 7:2-4)
But within this book there is hope, and a message. 700 years before the birth of Christ Micah wrote..
'But you, Bethlehem... though you are small... out of you will come for me one who will be ruler.. when she who is in labour bears a son...
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace..' (Micah 5:2-5)
'He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.
Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig-tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.' (Micah 4:3-5)
The challenge with prophetic writing such as Micah sits in where we as readers find ourselves in the narrative today. Has the prophecy been fulfilled in its entirety? Is the peace referred to a historical reference to the ending of the war with Assyria or a broader vision of the peace that will exist when Christ returns?
I don't have the answer.
However, what is certain is that Micah carries a message which transcends this debate. A message posted for us nearly 3000 years ago!
A message constant and unwavering that we are called to act upon. Against a backdrop of war, hate and corruption God's people are called to stand apart from the world.
'To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' (Micah 6:8)
A command that resounds powerfully throughout the New Testament.
' ...as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.' (Colossians 3:12-16)
In essence we are called to 'walk kindly and gently through this life'.
© 2025 Neil Mayne