The Character of Yhwh is central to Micah. His name means “Who is like Yhwh?” and the book closes with an answer. Yhwh is one who is angry because of sin and thus brings judgment. But he also pardons iniquity and redeems a remnant in faithfulness to his covenant promises.[1]
The book of Micah opens with a summons to the nations to hear. The nations also feature throughout the book. “In the central section there are no less than seven references to the nations (4:2, 3 [3x], 7, 11; 5:7, 15) and six references to peoples (4:1, 3, 5, 13; 5:7, 8); and in the last section the nations are the principal subject of discourse in two major units (7:11–13, 16–17).”[2] God will use the nations to judge Israel. He will also judge the nations for their sins. But ultimately God will bring redemption to the nations. This is rooted in the promises of the Abrahamic covenant.[3]
Covenant is also a central theme for Micah. The oracles that open all three cycles in Micah are covenant lawsuits.[4] These lawsuits, and much of the rest of the book, enumerates Israel’s sin: her “idolatry” (1:7; 6:16), “greed” (2:2-12), false teaching and countenancing false prophets (2:6-9; 3:5-6; 6:2-7),[5] and general injustice, violence, deceit and theft (6:11-16; cf. 2:2-12). Israel’s breach of the Mosaic covenant has brough them under the covenant curses (6:13-14; cf. ch. 1; 2:3-5; 3:4-12; 4:9-10; 5:3). This judgment showed that Yhwh was faithful to the Mosaic covenant. Central to Israel’s sin and judgment was the land.The coveting and theft of the land (2:1-2) would lead to exile from the land (2:4-5; 4:6; 5:3). This fact carried with it hope, for Yhwh would be faithful to the Abrahamic covenant (with its land promises) as well (a fact highlighted in the closing verse of the book), which meant that he would provide redemption for his people. Thus there would be a regathering to the land (2:12; 4:6; 5:3; 7:11-12) of a remnant (2:12; 4:7; 5:7-8; 7:18) that draws all nations to Zion (2:12; 4:13; 4:1-3).[6] The great hope that stands behind the regathering of the remnant is the Messiah who would be born in Bethlehem. He will be Yhwh who rules over Zion. He will shepherd his people and subdue their enemies—most notably the enemy of sin within their own hearts.
[1] Dempster, THOTC, 2-3, 194.
[2] Dempster, THOTC, 204.
[3] Dempster, THOTC, 205-6.
[4] Hoyt, EEC, 552-53; 565; cf. NIDOTTE 4:937-38.
[5] Kaiser, Toward an Old Testament Theology, 201; cf. NDBT, 249.
[6] Robertson, Christ of the Prophets, 211.