Apr 16, 2023
Scripture Reading: Micah 6:1-8
This passage follows Micah's denunciation of the sins of Judah and Israel. The Israelites were a people who "devised wickedness" (Mic 2:1), "covet fields" (Mic 2:2), "oppress a man and his house" (Mic 2:2), "walk haughtily" (Mic 2:3), "hate the good and love the evil" (Mic 3:2), "eat the flesh of my people" (Mic 3:2), "detest justice" (Mic 3:9).
In Micah 6, in a courtroom setting, the LORD declares His indictment against the people. Micah puts this rhetorical question into the mouths of the people … "With what shall I come before the LORD?" (Mic 6:6). Will multiplied sacrifice appease His anger?
Micah 6:8 is God's answer as to what He requires from His creatures. The verse highlights qualities of heart and life that these Israelites particularly lacked … justice, mercy, and humility before God. "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?" (Mic 6:8).
We are called on here to treat others fairly and with respect … to show them kindness and goodness and mercy … and to bow down before God with humility, which is altogether appropriate, given who God is and who we are. We do not earn a right standing with God by pursuing these three qualities, but because God is the fountain of justice and mercy … and because humility comes from truly grasping the majesty of God … genuinely exhibiting justice and mercy and humility shows that we have been changed by God's grace. God requires such a change for someone to stand in His holy presence.