Micah 1-3

Micah is yet another prophet to the Divided Kingdom of Israel (8th and 7th centuries, B.C.). As Micah sees it in the first three chapters of the book that bears his name, these are the glaring sins of God's people:

• Idolatry (Micah 1:7)
• Prostitution (Micah 1:7)
• Covetousness (Micah 2:2)
• Theft or robbery (Micah 2:2)
• Fraud (Micah 2:2)
• Oppression of women and children (Micah 2:9)
• Forsaking leadership (Micah 3:1-3)
• False prophecy (Micah 3:5)
• Perversion of justice (Micah 3:9)
• Venality and bribery (Micah 3:11)

Given their sin, it's a wonder that God would issue a word of hope through the prophet! (Micah 2:12-13) But there it is--a tiny bit of breathing room in an otherwise constricted place. Grace.