Micah's name means who is like Jehovah? The prophet used essentially the meaning of his name to set forth the Lord in 7:18. "Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy." Micah was from a small village named Moresheth. He prophesied "in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah" (1:1). Of these kings of Judah, Jotham and Hezekiah were good, while Ahaz gave himself up to wickedness and idolatry. Micah witnessed both the excellence of God-fearing leaders and the apostasy of a vile ruler. He ministered about the same time as Isaiah and Hosea (see Isaiah 1:1; Hosea 1:1) and his message was threefold.
1. Micah announced the sinfulness of the people (1:5; 3:1-8, 9-11) and the judgment of God (1:2-7; 3:12) upon both Samaria, capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and Jerusalem, capital of the southern kingdom of Judah. The apostasy in Judah had advanced to such a degree that the prophet said, "...her wound is incurable." It was a day of widespread idolatry (6:16).
2. Micah announced the certainty of the salvation of God's church. Though Judah and Israel were almost wholly taken up with idolatry, yet the Lord has His servant write promises of the mercy He intended to show to undeserving sinners. He would redeem a people, and this church would be made up of a remnant from Judah and Israel, and from many other nations of the earth (4:11). The Lord promised He would save His chosen sheep out of their idolatry by His grace and gather unto Himself a glorious church. Mount Zion, the church of the redeemed (Hebrews 12:22), shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation (4:6-7).
3. Micah announced the incarnation of the Lord Jesus and His successful work of redemption. He not only declared the place of the Savior's birth, Bethlehem (5:2), but he also set forth the opposition of the people against Messiah which resulted in His death (5:1). In addition, he declared the exaltation of Christ (5:4) since He Who is our peace, accomplished peace with God (5:5) by the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20).
Micah's message is the same as that of every gospel preacher: a declaration of the sovereign grace of God through Christ to unworthy sinners. Our iniquities have separated us from God. The Lord in righteous indignation will have vengeance upon sinful man and pour out His everlasting wrath upon all who despise His Name. Yet, the Lord has chosen to save a multitude of sinners to the "praise of the glory of His grace." These shall be brought to Christ in fulfillment of the promises of God (7:19-20). Though we have sinned greatly, thanks be unto God that His mercy is greater than our sin and freely dispensed to us because of the righteous obedience of Christ (Romans 5:21). Like Micah, let us look to the Lord, wait on Him and call upon Him to do His mighty work of grace in the hearts of sinners (7:7).