Micah

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, prophesied as Assyria threatened to attack the northern kingdom in the 700s B.C. He warned about God’s judgment against both northern and southern nations using the voice of a commoner, one familiar with the countryside. He was especially concerned with social sins of the Jewish people. Christians turn to 5:2–can you see why? There is an alternating pattern here–see the key point of chapters 1-3 and 6:1-7:6? Check the pattern for chapters 4-5 and 7:7-20.  There are lots of figures of speech in Micah; look for good examples.

Nahum

Nahum was written before the fall of Ninevah in 612 B.C. by a contemporary of Jeremiah. It’s important to realize how much fear the Assyrians had spread as they ruled their part of the world. They had conducted total war—butchering and maiming people, leading thousands into slavery, scattering conquered individuals throughout their kingdom. Nahum prophesied against Ninevah, the capital city of this terrifying nation, with great relish. Throughout the book there is good poetry with figures of speech, repetition, short but powerful phrases. Find some that strike you as powerful.  For what sins did God judge Ninevah?