Book of Micah: Chapter 6
Micah has delivered two of his three messages: a message of warning (chapter 1-2) and a message of promise (chapters 3-5). His third message was a challenge for Israel to trust the Lord and obey God. Micah’s first message was presented as a courtroom drama, and so was his third message. In this courtroom scene, the Lord continues His case against Israel, telling people to plead their case. God cries out, “My people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!” (vv. 2,3). God declares that He brought them out of the land of Egypt and redeemed them from bondage and slavery (v. 4). God gave them Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, godly leaders who guided them through the wilderness with His help; and then brought the nation to their promised inheritance (vv.4-5). Through the journey, God tolerated their unbelief, disobedience, and whining (Ps 106). Then God declares that on three occasions, Balak, king of Moab commanded Balaam to curse Israel; but, God turned the curse into blessing (Numbers 22-24). Israel had no clue this spiritual battle was going on; yet, God protected them! And what did Israel do in return? The men indulged in sexual immorality with Moabite women who invited them to make sacrifices to their gods; and then all the people joined in worshiping Baal (Num. 25).
Feeling remorse for their actions, the people responded by asking Micah what sacrifice can they offer for all of God’s blessing and goodness? Will the Lord be pleased if I should offer a thousand rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? (vv. 6,7). When Micah responded, “God has shown you what is good”, he was likely remembering what Moses said after the nation wandered 40 years in the wilderness. Moses said, “And now Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you; but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and soul” (Deut. 10:12). Micah simply stated, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
You may be thinking, “No one can live up to these Old Testament requirements! Besides, I prefer the mercy, love, and grace of the New Testament”. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus says to His disciples, “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect”! There is no perfect person on the planet! So, you wonder if you can meet ANY of the New Testament standards. And then you read Matthew 22:37, Jesus said, “You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself”. No one can attain the ideal requirements of God, except Jesus Christ. James 2:9-10 says, that if we keep the whole law; but, commit just one sin, we are guilty of them ALL. But, there is good news! One day a group of people asked Jesus what does God requires of us? Apparently, this question has been asked throughout the ages! Jesus answered, “This is the work of God that you believe on him whom He sent” (John 6:28-29). Many may believe in Jesus and are Not saved. But, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 8: 9). What happens when we fulfill this requirement of God and believe in Jesus Christ? God forgives us of all our sin and then He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts. The Holy Spirit then works to transform our lives. Only then can we have the hope of meeting the requirements of Micah 6:8. What if I fail again (and you will)? God promises to hear the prayer of a “broken and contrite heart” (Ps 51:17). He will forgive your sin, restore your relationship with Him, and provide the strength to endure whatever consequences ensue. In the end of this chapter, we learn about two major consequences for Israel’s sin, collapse of their economic system and exile in Babylon. In the final chapter, we learn how we can trust God despite our sin and because of His great love and mercy for us.
Key Verse:
“He (the Lord) has shown all you people what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~ Micah 6:8
Questions to ponder:
- Do you think there are spiritual battles going on that we are unaware of and God is protecting us from? How do you respond when you think about this?
- When people try to justify themselves by their works, what are they ignorant of?
- Micah 6:8 does not mention belief or faith as a requirement of God. How can you fit this together with John 6:28-29?
