The Words of Micah

There are several reasons why the book of Micah should be especially important to us.  The first is that it is the only book in the Old Testament that prophesies of the specific birthplace of the Savior: “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2).  This was clearly understood by the Jews at the time of Jesus for when the wise men went to Herod, he asked his chief priests “where Christ should be born.”  He was told, “In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel” (Matt. 2:4-6).  Clearly these chief priests were reading from the book of Micah.  For 700 years the prophet’s writing helped the people know where their Messiah would come. 

               A second reason that Micah is important to us is that the Savior quoted from His writings when He was among the Nephites.  In 3 Nephi 20-21 at least ten verses of Micah were quoted by the Savior, clearly an indication to us that his words are important.  One of the most famous scriptures about the restoration also is found in Micah—it just happens to be found in Isaiah too and that’s where we typically go to read it: “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:1-2).  It may have even been Micah who first wrote these words—it is not certain whether Isaiah was quoting Micah or vice versa since they were contemporaries.  Either way, its inclusion in Micah clearly indicates that he had his eye on the latter days, confirming that indeed his writings are relevant to us. 

            In addition to these reasons, there are simply some beautiful and inspiring passages in Micah that merit our study and reflection.  For example, we have this call to loyalty to God amidst the wickedness around us: “We will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.”  In a sort of response as to what the Lord will therefore do for us we read that “the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever” (Micah 4:5-7).  This powerful language helps us commit more fully to serve the Lord.  Another inspiring message in Micah describes the Messiah and perhaps the righteous as well: “And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God” (Micah 5:4).  Other words from Micah give us a powerful rallying cry to continue trusting in the Lord when our struggles get tough: “Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.  Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me” (Micah 7:7-8).  We learn from Micah that the Lord “retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy,” giving us hope even when we have fallen short and sinned (Micah 7:18).  Perhaps my favorite passage from Micah is this description of what really matters to the Lord: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)  Though is writings are relatively small compared to many of the other prophets in the Old Testament, Micah’s words nonetheless give us an important testimony of the coming of the Savior, the events of the last days, and our need to walk humbly before Him and trust in His mercy.