YITW Sheet #21--Isaiah and Micah.pub - Spring Lake Church

The Year of the Word
A year-long look at the entire Bible
AUTHOR
Verse 1:1 attributes this book to Isaiah, the son of
Amoz. While there has been much debate over the
unity of this book and whether chs. 40-55 and chs.
56-66 were written by Isaiah himself, there is
strong argument for a single author. There are
many stylistic similarities in these different sections
of the book including thoughts, images, expressions,
etc. One argument against single authorship
is found in the assumption that predictive
prophecy cannot happen, thus believing that Isaiah
could not have predicted the Babylonian exile. If
this is true, how then is Isaiah littered with prophecies
of Jesus Christ? For good reason, then, Isaiah
is seen as the sole author of this book.
ISAIAH
DATE
Isaiah’s ministry ranged from around 740 B.C. to
680 B.C. in the southern kingdom of Judah. This
places his ministry during the reigns of Uzziah (790-739 B.C.), Jotham (739-731 B.C.), Ahaz (731-715
B.C.), Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.), and Manasseh
(686-642 B.C.).
THEMES
Isaiah divides into 3 sections: prophecies of
condemnation (chs. 1-35), a historical interlude
(chs. 36-39), and prophecies of comfort and
consolation (chs. 40-66). Isaiah presents themes
of salvation by faith, the holiness of God, the
need for righteous living, the offense of sin and
certainty of divine judgment, and assurance of
redemption for the repentant remnant.
KEY VERSES
Chapter 53, often called the “suffering servant”
passage, is one of the most vivid portrayals of
the atonement of the Messiah.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6)
CHRIST IN ISAIAH
Outside of Psalms, no other book of the Old
Testament has so many prophecies of Christ.
See the chart to the right.

The Year of the Word
A year-long look at the entire Bible
AUTHOR
Micah, like Amos, was a man of
the country. He lived in Moresheth
Gath (1:14) which was located 20
miles southwest of Jerusalem. His
name means “Who is like the
Lord?”. He was a contemporary of
Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and Jonah.
MICAH
DATE
Micah 1:1 indicates that Micah
prophesied in the days of Jotham
(739-731 B.C.), Ahaz (731-715
B.C.), and Hezekiah (715-686
B.C.) in the southern kingdom of
Judah. His strong statements
against idolatry and immorality
likely place most of his ministry
prior to the reforms of Hezekiah.
Thus, his ministry ranged from
about 735 to 710 B.C.
THEMES
The message of Micah is remarkably
similar to that of Isaiah. Micah
calls out the people of Judah (and
Israel) for their refusal to take care of their covenant responsibilities. He points out the oppression of
the poor and the corruption of the political and religious leaders. Promises of restoration are also included,
but only on the other side of impending judgment.
KEY VERSES
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
Chapters 6 and 7 describe a courtroom scene where God brings His charges against Judah for their
empty ritual, injustice, and corruption. The verdict: guilty.
CHRIST IN MICAH
Micah 5:2 is one of the most important prophecies in the whole Old Testament.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Here, the birthplace and eternity of Messiah are seen clearly.

ISAIAH and MICAH
An overview of the entire book of Isaiah can be found in the first 20 verses of chapter 1. Let’s examine this
passage to get at the major themes of Isaiah. Read this section as a group (Isaiah 1:1-20) and make some of
your own observations. Zero in on the following verses to help your discussion along:
1:3 – What is God’s complaint towards Judah? What is He implying with comparisons of His people to farm
animals?
1:4 – What has happened to the people? Notice the imagery in verses 5 & 6. Why is this appropriate imagery?
1:7 – What will happen to the people?
1:12-15 – What is the problem that God reveals in this section? In what ways do these same problems
manifest themselves in the Church of today?
1:16-20 – There is a solution! Where does the solution begin and what is its end result?
For reflection and discussion:
If God were to send a prophet to speak in to your life, what might you hear?
Are there areas of less than full devotion to God?
How might these areas be negatively impacting your life?
Is there a way out?
________________________________________________________________________
Isaiah is known to be a book of direct and straight forward judgment. Yet it is counterbalanced with the
coming hope of the Messiah and God’s long-term plan for His people, both individually and as a nation. Isaiah
is mentioned by name 20 times in the NT, and is quoted extensively as the message in the book is the same
Gospel (Good News) preached by Jesus and his followers.
What do the following passages in Isaiah teach us about God’s plan? Comment on both the plan that was
fulfilled in Christ, and God’s plan that is yet unfolding.
42:1-9
61:1-3
63:1-6 – What is going on in this passage…what is the day of vengeance of the Lord?
In the end, God will make all things new and right. For that Day we wait and have great hope. Stay close to
God and address everything that attempts to seduce you away from the God who loves you!
PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK: READ HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, JOEL