Episode 412 Micah’s Ideal Ruler (Micah 1:1-5; 5:2-5a; 6:6-8)

This week BibleWorm moves into the prophetic literature with Micah 1:1-5; 5:2-5a; and 6:6-8, one of the most famous passages in all of the Hebrew Bible. We talk about the prophet Micah, who prophesied to the Jerusalem elites reminding them that the economic and military decisions of the centralized authority have profound effects on people living far away from the centers of power. Micah envisions a new ruler for the community, reaching all the way back to Bethlehem, to the time before David was king, to call for a humble shepherd who will gently guide the people toward peace and prosperity rather than exploiting his own economic and military power. And we talk about Micah’s famous instruction to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God, which calls us back to the Torah and to the concrete actions that make for beloved community, both then and now.