Main idea: God judges His people’s sin, but promises to restore a faithful remnant through the coming Davidic Shepherd-King.

Outline:

* 1-2: God Is Coming in Power to Establish Justice

* 3-5: Just Leadership Will Come to Zion

* 6-7: Coming to God in Justice, Covenant Loyalty, and Hope

* (Adapted from Gary Smith, Hosea, Amos, Micah. NIVAC)

Theme 1: God’s Judgment on Covenant Unfaithfulness

* 1:2–7 — Judgment announced on Samaria for idolatry.

* 2:1–2 — Condemnation of land-grabbers and oppression.

* 3:1–3 — Leaders, prophets, and priests exploit the people; Jerusalem will fall.

Theme 2: True Covenant Faithfulness: Justice, Mercy, Humility

* 6:6–7 — Critique of empty sacrifices without heart obedience.

* 6:8 — Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God.

Theme 3: The Hope of the Davidic Shepherd-King

* 2:12–13 — God Himself leads His remnant like a shepherd.

* 4:1–5 — Zion exalted; nations stream to God in peace.

* 4:6–8 — God restores the “lame” remnant and reigns as King.

* 5:2–5a — The ruler from Bethlehem, whose origins are “from ancient days,” shepherds and brings worldwide peace.

Final resolve of Micah:

* 7:7 — Though there is great injustice, Micah looks to YHWH for salvation

* 7:18–20 — God’s own covenant faithfulness motivates His people’s.

Nahum (comfort)

Main Idea: God will judge all evil as seen through the overthrow of Assyria

* (Nineveh is the capital of Assyria)

* Past actions don’t justify present rebellion (cf. Jonah)

* 1:1–6 – God appears to judge evil among the nations

* 1:7–8 – fate of faithful

* 1:12–15 – The end of evil is good news

Habakkuk

Main Idea: Prideful are humbled. Righteous live by faith.

Outline:

1–2a – Complaints and responses

* Conversation #1

* 1:2–4 – corruption in Judah

* 1:5–11 – Look I am raising up the Babylonians

* Conversation #2

* 1:12–2:1 – What! Babylon! They are even worse

* 2:2–5 – righteous will live by faith – God will bring Babylon down

* God may use corrupt kingdoms but doesn’t endorse them

* All nations are accountable to gods justice

* 2b – five woes

* 1 unjust wealth

* 2 unjust gain

* 3 slave labor

* 4 irresponsible leaders

* 5 idolatry

* 3 – Habakkuk’s prayer

* 3:1-2 – pleads with God to bring justice now

* 3:3–7 – God’s shows up in power to judge

* 3:8–15 – a new future exodus

* 3:16–19 – hopeful praise even if there is darkness (example of the righteous by faith)

Zephaniah (YHWH has hidden)

Main Idea: God will judge the nations like a consuming fire, but through judgment, there will be restoration

* 1–2:3 – Judgment on jerusalem

* 2:4–3:8 – Judgment on the nations & Jerusalem

* 3:9–20 – Hope for the nations & Jerusalem

* 3:9-10 – purify the lips of the nations

* 3:11-20 – restoration of Jerusalem