740 BC
Micah of Moresheth was a contemporary of both Isaiah and Hosea, prophesying to both the northern and southern kingdoms during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (approximately 737-700 BC). Though a minor prophet in terms of the length of his book, Micah's message was powerful and far-reaching. His prophecy opens with a dramatic vision of God rising from His seat to judge His people, with the mountains melting under His weight (Micah 1:3-4).
Micah's most famous passage summarizes the entire moral demand of God: '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). He also prophesied the coming Messiah with stunning precision: 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel' (Micah 5:2)βa prophecy cited by Matthew in his Gospel (Matthew 2:5-6).
Micah condemned the corruption of leaders, the greed of merchants, and the hypocrisy of religious ritual. He prophesied the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem, but also the eventual restoration of God's people. The Catholic Church honors Micah as one of the great social prophets of the Old Testament. Key Scripture: Micah 6:8; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5-6; Luke 2:4; CCC 420