John Mark Hicks

In Micah 6, the prophet served as Yahweh’s prosecutor calling for witnesses, listening to the accused, and charging the defendants. They are not a people who pursue justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Through economic injustice and violence, the people have now received God’s verdict: invasion and exile. But hope is not lost. Who is like Yahweh? […]

Micah envisions the coming of a Davidic ruler who is peace. That reign will extend to the ends of the earth and mean that everyone will live in security and prosperity. Yet, before that time arrives, a period of purgation–like labor pains–is necessary so that the descendants of Jacob learn to depend on Yahweh rather […]

Hosea, as Yahweh’s prophet, takes on the role of a prosecutor. He serves the indictment against Israel in Hosea 4:1. There is no faithfulness, love, or intimacy with God in the land. The next message from Hosea (5:1-15) renders a verdict. Verdict Announced Hosea delivers the verdict to the leaders of Israel and reminds them […]

Despite Israel’s adulteries and idolatries, Yahweh makes a surprising announcement. “Behold,” Yahweh says, I will renew my relationship with Israel as in the day when I brought her out of Egypt, loved her in the wilderness, and gave her prosperity in the land. A day is coming when Yahweh covenant with Israel in justice and […]

Hosea 1:1 and 14:9 The first line of the book of Hosea identifies the author as a prophet, the time of his ministry, and the social setting in which he lives. The last verse of Hosea invites hearers to discern the ways of the Yahweh and walk in them. This video introduces the prophet and […]

The sermon begins at the 42 minute mark. Delivered on June 19, 2022 at the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ. Obadiah is the shortest book of the Hebrew Bible. It is a word of judgment against Edom who has mistreated, throughout its history, Israel and Judah. What might such a brief ancient and situated address […]

Judah’s wound is incurable; it is fatal. There are consequences when a nation practices idolatry, injustice, and trust in political alliances more than God. The fate of Samaria is reason enough to weep (Micah 1:6-7), but Micah’s symbolic act of lament is because Samaria’s incurable wound has come to Judah, even to the gate of Jerusalem […]

The small-town prophet receives a big-time message from Yahweh. Micah announces that Yahweh is coming to Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom Israel. This, however, is about more than Israel. It is  Yahweh’s witness against the nations even though it is the nations who devastate Israel. It is also a warning to Judah who […]

An Outline of Micah Introduction to Micah What does a prophet say to a people immersed in the geopolitics of war, imperial invasions, and constant fear of Assyrian retribution? Indeed, 200,000 people will be taken from Judah to Assyria in 701 BCE (according to Sennacherib records in Nineveh). The political leaders are unjust, self-absorbed, and […]

This is the second of two woe oracles in Amos. The first (5:18-20) was followed by a legal indictment (5:21-27). The second (6:1-7) is followed by a judgment pronouncement (6:8-14). Together, as the third major section of Amos, they lament Israel’s sin and warn the nation about impending doom. The woe oracle in Amos 6 itself falls […]