The Significance of the Micah Allusions

Although the findings of Micah as a Source for Luke are preliminary, it is not premature to discuss their significance. Earlier it was noted in Sinai and Zion, that the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Micah both includes ideas from the Sinai and Zion theology. A detailed study of the both Micah and Luke is necessary to ascertain what ideas from Sinai and Zion have been included in both books.

These findings may demonstrate that Luke like Micah presented an irenical message to the temple establishment. Both Micah and Luke were social critics who were willing to accept some of the ideas of Zion theology provided that the social message of Sinai was adopted as primary. If the temple establishment proclaimed this message then both Micah and Luke would have no problem with including some Zion ideas, being the centrality of Jerusalem and the importance of temple ritual. For Luke, alms as part of repentance, was extremely important. This is not inconsistent with the teachings of Micah.

Until the publication of The Social Roots of Biblical Yahwism, scholars considered Sinai to be a northern phenomenon and Zion southern. Stephen L. Cook recognized that the Prophet Micah had included both as part of his irenical presentation to the temple establishment and that these ideas were not a later insertion. Cook did not use the word “irenical” to describe the writings of Micah but the word “irenical” best describes it. The observations of Cook are profound.

Recognizing that Micah and Luke were both diplomatic explains what some scholars claim were later insertions to Micah and strengthen the argument that Luke adopted the modus operandi of the Prophet Micah. However it is necessary to do more research before presenting such a bold claim.

This is a work in progress.

Copyrighted 2007

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