Micah Chapter 6
vs 1-2 Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.
God is bringing an indictment against His people. He calls the mountains to be the jury, a pretty good choice considering they have been around to see it all. And when God brings His opening statements, He simply reminds Israel of His goodness.
vs 6-7 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
They basically ask God, "What do you want from us?!" Did He want the sacrifice of "thousands of rams with ten thousands of rivers of oil?" This was an extreme exaggeration to show just how demanding they thought God was. Or maybe He wanted their firstborn child? It was common for pagans to sacrifice their children to the false god, Molech.
vs 8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" See First5 Weekend Video
It was not about sacrifices. It was about HEART. It was about loving a loving God and having that love spill out onto others as a result. Let's take a closer look at the three things mentioned.
- He wanted them to "do justice." This means being fair. No cheating. This word also implies that those in a higher position were to help deliver those who were weak or oppressed.
- He wanted them to "love kindness." This means compassion and mercy. But it also implies a spirit of generosity. It was about treating people with love out of the abundance in one's heart.
- He wanted them to "walk humbly with your God." It is interesting to note that the first two have to do with our relationship with other people, and only this last one is about our relationship with God. Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 22:40 that "On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets": to love God and to love others.
Walking with God and loving those around us go hand in hand. We can't say we love God if we treat others badly.
We will be known as Christ-followers by how we love other people. |
1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” |
What does God want from us? It turns out it is really very simple and beautiful. He wants us to walk close to His side. He wants us to get to know Him. He wants us to see His heart for people, experience His kindness and mercy, and then to be so full of Him that the overflow pours love and kindness and mercy onto others.
But the Lord is righteous,
He loves justice, the upright will see His face. Psalm 11:7 |
This is what the Lord says:
"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Jeremiah 9:23-24 |
vs 9 Listen! The Lord is calling to the city— and to fear your name is wisdom--
“Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.
we see that the people didn't know God's heart. And there was no excuse. God had told them in Deuteronomy 10:12 that He required them to "fear the Lord ... to walk in all his ways, to love him" and they knew from Leviticus 19:18 that walking with God meant "[loving] your neighbor as yourself."
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Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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vs 10 - 12 Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah, which is accursed?Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights? Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.
This was not new theology. But it was a concept they were completely missing. In their eyes, Yahweh God was just another demanding god. They didn't remember His goodness or walk in His love. And as a result, they didn't treat people fairly or with kindness.
vs 13 - 16 Therefore, I have begun to destroy you, to ruin you because of your sins. You will eat but not be satisfied; your stomach will still be empty. You will store up but save nothing, because what you save I will give to the sword. You will plant but not harvest; you will press olives but not use the oil, you will crush grapes but not drink the wine. You have observed the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their traditions. Therefore I will give you over to ruin and your people to derision; you will bear the scorn of the nations
And so the court found them guilty. In their arrogance, they will continue to pursue and control thinking their efforts are enough but they will never satisfy.
In hearing that, I have to ask myself, am I walking with God? And is that walk with Him producing love, kindness and justice for those around me?
That is what God would want from me.
Prayer: God, You are not demanding or greedy or mean. You are good and steadfast in love. You call me to walk with You. What a privilege that You let me walk by Your side. You also ask me to love others in kindness and generosity, and by standing up for the weak and oppressed. May Your love and goodness flow through me. May it shine Your light in a dark and demanding world. In Jesus' name, amen.
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In hearing that, I have to ask myself, am I walking with God? And is that walk with Him producing love, kindness and justice for those around me?
That is what God would want from me.
Prayer: God, You are not demanding or greedy or mean. You are good and steadfast in love. You call me to walk with You. What a privilege that You let me walk by Your side. You also ask me to love others in kindness and generosity, and by standing up for the weak and oppressed. May Your love and goodness flow through me. May it shine Your light in a dark and demanding world. In Jesus' name, amen.
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