#28 The Covenants of Micah

The Book of Micah is a ridicule of sin, a call to repentance, and a guarantee that the Lord will hold fast to His word and deliver on His covenantal promises. While characteristics of the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants are expressed throughout the book, the most evident characteristics, as demonstrated by the chart below, are those of the Mosaic Covenant. The Mosaic emphasis is due to Micah’s firm critique of Israel’s sin and its consequences of it. Without the many allusions to the Mosaic covenant, the Israelites of Micah's time may have never learned of their trespasses against the Lord. It is important to note that this Mosaic focus does not make the characteristics of the other Covenants insignificant. Indeed, all allusions to the Covenants are profound and meaningful. Micah itself is crucial to the faith of Israel and Christianity as it is the Word of God.

	Preamble	Historical Prologue	Stipulations	Provisions	Witnesses	Blessings & Curses
Abrahamic	God expresses His sovereignty over the Promised Land and is therefore able to give it over in the covenant (1:2-7).1. The Lord declares that He will rescue those He has afflicted and turn them into a strong nation (4:6-7).	God promised Israel the land, but Israel now wickedly claims the land based on wealth and power rather than God's unmerited favor (2:1-11)				The Israelites are identified as the descendants of Abraham and Jacob; therefore, God's promise to the patriarchs applies to them (7:20).2 Israel will return to the Promised Land (7:11-13). The "heads of Jacob" are condemned and their cries are ignored by the Lord (3:1-4).
	Preamble	Historical Prologue	Stipulations	Provisions	Witnesses	Blessings & Curses
Mosaic	God identifies Himself as doing no harm before reminding the Israelites of the Exodus (6:3).	The Lord provided freedom, safety, and land for the Israelites to which Micah writes (6:4).	In reference to the sacrificial system, the Lord says He requires justice, love, and humility (6:6-8). The Lord prohibited the worship of idols (1:7).3 Micah references the fifth commandment when he describes the Israelites as turning against their parents (7:5-6).4 The Lord tells Israel to plead their case because their relationship has stipulations (6:1-2).5	Micah references the sacrificial system of the Mosaic covenant (6:6-7). The temple will be destroyed and sacrifices will cease (3:12).6	God identifies Moses, Aaron, and Miriam as witnesses and representatives of Israel (6:4).	The Lord blessed the Israelites through Exodus (6:4). The Israelites have failed in keeping the law and are not upright, so God condemns them (7:12).7 Similarly to the Exodus, Israel will return from exile and captivity (7:11-13).8 Attempts to secure satisfaction apart from God are in vain (6:14-15).9
	Preamble	Historical Prologue	Stipulations	Provisions	Witnesses	Blessings & Curses
Davidic				Jesus is the promised King and He provides the final atonement for sin (5:3-5).	The nations will see that the Lord has delivered His people through His Shepherding (7:17).10	The promised King will rise in Bethlehem and be the people's peace (5:3-5). Micah prays that God would shepherd His people (7:14) and Jesus, the King, comes as the Good Shepherd.11

• Footnotes

  1. Mark J. Boda and J. Gordon McConviller, eds., Dictionary of the Old Testament Prophets (Nottingham, UK: InterVarsity Press, 2012), 551.

  2. Ibid., 100.

  3. Ibid., 102

  4. Ibid.

  5. Ibid., 550.

  6. Ibid., 544.

  7. Ibid.

  8. Ibid., 549.

  9. Ibid., 551.

  10. Ibid., 549.

  11. Ibid.