Although there are seven chapters in the Book of Micah, only the first three can be attributed to the prophet Micah with certainty. Micah is usually classified with the minor prophets, but his work was evidently held in high esteem by later prophets and teachers. References to him were made on several occasions, and his writings are some of the choicest materials to be found in the entire Old Testament. For example, the prophecy concerning the coming of a warless world, found toward the beginning of Chapter 4, is quoted more frequently than any other portion of the book and is identical to one found in Chapter 2 of the Book of Isaiah. The original author is not known, but the editors of each of these two books valued the warless-world prophecy so highly that they included it in each collection of writings.
Another notable passage in the Book of Micah is found in 6:6–8. Here, we find a clear statement of prophetic religion at its best: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." The writer of these words understands that Yahweh desires moral qualities on the part of his worshipers rather than sacrifices and burnt offerings. It is doubtful if one could find in the religious literature of any people a more exalted conception of the nature of true religion and the moral qualities that religion is designed to promote.
