Michah 3-4

Perek 3 includes three prophecies of rebuke. Each of the prophecies is directed at a different social group which leads the nation and misuses its power. The first prophecy turns to the heads and officers of the nation, who are meant to enforce the laws and deal justly, but in fact they distort justice and oppress the needy (1-4). The second prophecy turns to the prophets who misguide the nation out of greed (5-8). In the third prophecy the prophet returns to the heads and officers of the nation, and includes among them the priests and prophets. From this grouping of prophecies we see a distorted social order, which is supported by the judicial and religious heads of the nation.

At the beginning of Perek 4 we find the transcendent vision of the Temple Mount in the End of Days, a vision which had a deep influence on human civilization and served as a source of inspiration for generations. This vision appears in the prophecies of Yishayahu (perek 2) as well, and it prophesies world peace and the pilgrimage of the gentiles of the world to Jerusalem where they will unite under the kingdom of God (1-5). In the second half of the perek we find a few prophecies which include, among others, a prophecy of consolation which deals with the ingathering of the exiles and the renewal of the kingdom of the House of David, and encouragement and consolation to the people of Jerusalem (6-14).