Lesson 25: Micah and Habakkuk

Gustave Dore’s “The Prophet Micah”

Micah

Micah’s name means “Who is like the LORD?” and as we read a few passages from his book, we will see that the question could sound like this: “Who is as gracious as the Lord, who is sending a Messiah to save us?”

Micah’s prophecy also contains blunt condemnations of injustice and idolatry. But the gospel he proclaims is some of the best-known of all the Old Testament prophets.

We do not know exactly when and where Micah lived, but we do know he came from Judah, and he lived and worked at the same time as Isaiah. So before reading Micah 5:1-5a, add Micah to your timeline at the same time as Isaiah.

After reading Micah 5:1-5a, consider these questions:

  1. What specific prophecies about the Messiah do you find in these verses?

These verses specifically promised that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem in Ephrathah and he would rule over Israel. It says that the Messiah has “origins from old,” but that translation does not do justice to the Hebrew’s actually wording: “from days of eternity.” So it also says the Messiah is eternal. Verse 3 hints that the Messiah would be born of a woman, and verse 4 designates him as the shepherd of God’s people. Finally, these verses also say that the Messiah’s message would reach the entire world. And that message is one of peace. To say the least, these verses are loaded with information about the coming Savior.

  1. Within the span of three verses, Micah refers to the Messiah as a great king and a great shepherd. In what ways does Jesus fit both descriptions?

Jesus is King because he has defeated our enemies of sin, death, and the devil. He is still our King because he rules over all things for our personal good and for the good of his church. However, Jesus’ rule over us in not exclusively about victory and power. He also rules over us gently, like a loving shepherd. He protects us from all spiritual harm and feeds us with his Word. He guides us safely to the pastures of eternal life. Jesus is the Great Shepherd-King.

  1. The last line of this prophecy says, “He will be their peace.” What kind of peace do you think the people of Judah were looking for at this time? What kind of peace does Jesus offer his people?

Certainly God provides physical protection to his people until he takes them home to heaven, and this was probably the kind of peace that Judah was most concerned about in Michah’s day. However, the greater peace that God promises to his people is spiritual: the peace that comes from knowing our sins are forgiven and heaven is our true and lasting home.

Habakkuk

Habakkuk lived and prophesied in Judah sometime before Babylon conquered the land. We are not exactly sure when. Habakkuk writes a different kind of book than the rest of the prophets. Instead of writing a message to the people of Judah, Habakkuk’s prophecy is more of a conversation between Habakkuk and the Lord. More exactly, the book consists of two complaints from Habakkuk, two answers from the Lord, and a final prayer by the prophet.

In Habakkuk 1:12-17 we find Habakkuk’s second complaint to God. His complaint is basically this: “Lord, it makes no sense for you to punish Judah by letting Babylon conquer us. Babylon is at least as wicked as we are. Why punish us by rewarding them?” 2:2-5 is the Lord’s answer to Habakkuk.

4. Habakkuk’s name means “a man who clings.” What do you think Habakkuk had to cling to as he asked the Lord, “How long?” Why is “one who clings” a good description of all Christians?

As Habakkuk was questioning the Lord’s timing, he needed to cling to God’s promises that God would in fact bring about justice. Christians today still need to cling to the promises of God at all times, so that we remain in the faith. God’s people cling to his promises, and it is especially important to do this in times of serious doubt, such as Habakkuk was going through. God no longer answers his people in audible conversation as he did to Habakkuk, but he does answer us in his Word and Sacrament, calming our doubts. That is where he speaks, and that is where we find his gracious promises to cling to.

5. According to 2:1, what does Habakkuk do after making his complaint to the Lord? How can you tell that the Lord is serious about his answer?

Habakkuk decided to sit and wait for the Lord’s reply. Meanwhile, when the Lord did answer he instructed Habakkuk to record the revelation and make it known to everyone.

6. Verses 4-5 refer to the wicked Babylonians. In these verses God promises Habakkuk that Babylon, too, will some day receive their punishment from God. But through it all, God says, “The righteous will live by his faith.” Discuss at least two ways that statement – “the righteous will live by his faith” – is true for God’s children.

God’s people live by faith in this way: it is through our faith that we receive the benefit of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Through our faith we receive the gift of eternal life. That is how St. Paul uses this passage in Romans 1:17, and this was the understanding of the passage that opened Martin Luther’s eyes to the truth of justification through faith alone, sparking the Lutheran Reformation.

In Habakkuk’s context, however, God seems to be saying that while Habakkuk is waiting for God’s justice to be carried out, he must live with trust that God will carry out God’s own plans in God’s own time. So here the passage is used a little differently. We, the righteous people of God, “live by faith” by continuing to trust in God even when we are questioning his plans and his timing.