The prophecies of Micah cover a time period between 742-687 BCE. Jotham (742-735) was the son of King Uzziah; after his father was struck by God with leprosy, he was the administrator of the kingdom until Uzziah’s death, and then he was king for a few years. Like his father, he was loyal about following the Lord.
Ahaz, the son of Jotham, was the opposite. We don’t know why, but he decided that worshipping the gods of other nations was better than worshipping the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28 tells us, “Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. But he was an evil king. . .” (Verse 1). In verses 2-4, we learn that he worshipped Baal like the Israelites did even to the point of sacrificing some of his own children in the fire in the valley of Hinnom.
Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was a Godly king like Uzziah and Jotham. None of the kings were perfect, but these three worshipped the Lord. Hezekiah’s reign was approximately 29 years from 715-687 BCE.
Verse 1 of Micah states, “The messages were addressed to both Samaria and Judah and came to Micah in the form of visions.” But verse 2 goes on to state, “Attention! Let all the peoples of the world listen.” If these messages were for Samaria and Judah, why should all people pay attention? It is because all people have the same problem: we are all born with a sinful nature and we cannot live perfect lives. And if God would send these messages to His specially chosen people, shouldn’t all people pay attention?
Verses 3-4 give the message that God is about to send judgment on the earth. Verse 5 tells us why judgment is coming. “Because of the sins of Israel and Judah. What sins do you ask? The idolatry and oppression centering in the capital cities, Samaria and Jerusalem.” Is there any nation in the world without cities like that? Either lawlessness in the streets or oppressive government regulations.
“Quick! Use your swiftest chariots and flee, O people of Lachish, for you were the first of the cities of Judah to follow Israel in her sin of idol worship. Then all the cities of the south began to follow your example.” (Verse 13).