Welcome to the Love God Greatly study of Micah. We are excited for you to join us as we study through this minor prophet together.

Not much is known about the prophet Micah. He was from Moresheth (Micah 1:1, Jeremiah 26:18) and he lived at the same time as Isaiah and Hosea.

While Micah may be an obscure person to us, he was used by God to contribute to Scripture a twofold message of judgment and forgiveness.

Over and over again we see the people of God turning away from the good and safe laws of God and do “what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6 ). And over and over again we see this long-suffering God raise up prophets to bring His people a message calling them to repent and return to the Lord.

In Micah, the people of God were caught up in several sins including greed, theft, violence, unrighteous leadership, crooked business deals, and even idolatry.

God didn’t just want Israel to stop sinning, but to turn from their selfish and evil ways and return to Him. This would be for His glory as well as their good.

While there are some pretty harsh accusations made against Israel, Micah doesn’t leave the people without hope. He stresses that God is a God of grace and mercy who delights in forgiving and restoring His people.

This message of Micah remains true for believers today. God loves and delights in His people and wants to see them turn from their sins and fix their eyes on Him. Sin is like quicksand sucking us in and making it impossible for us to climb out on our own. It is only through the sacrifice of Jesus that we can overcome the sin that so easily ensnares us (1 John 5:4; Hebrews 12:1).

Like the Israel of old, we are prone to “do what is right in our own eyes.” We act as though we know better and that our ways won’t have negative consequences. But God, in His kindness and mercy, calls us back to Himself, telling us to find our treasures not here on earth, but with Him.

In Micah God gives us a clear “to-do” list. It doesn’t consist of 600 laws but of three simple rules.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 emphasis added)

As you read the book of Micah ask yourself these questions:

• What do I learn about God?
• What do I learn about myself?
• How should this impact where I am at now?

We pray that God uses this book to show you the love and patience He has for you, where you need to change, and ultimately, this study brings you closer to Himself.

If you haven’t ordered or downloaded your journal yet, there is still time! Do it today!

We are looking forward to starting with you on Monday!

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn grew up in Germany and then spent her teenage years in Africa, where her parents were missionaries. She moved to the United States for college and attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she met her husband. They have been married for twenty-two years and have four children. Jen lives in the suburbs of Chicago, where her husband is the pastor of Redeemer Fellowship. Jen is passionate about theology and the connection to daily living.