We are loved by God, redeemed by God, and called by God to share his goodness
By Dean Collins
Have you ever walked into a room or hallway and suddenly realized that there is a difficult conversation happening? What do you do? Turn around and leave? Divert your eyes and quietly walk by? Depending on what you already heard, do you become tempted to stay just out of sight and listen in to how it all resolves?
God always rules righteously
Reading chapter 6 of Micah seems a bit like that. From the beginning of the chapter, you realize that there is a disagreement or conflict in the background; and we are reading some of the dialogue between God and Israel. We don’t have all of the context, but the Lord says:
“Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.”
We quickly learn that God has made his indictment in the theater of his grand outdoor courtroom and even indicated that he would contend with Israel. In my youth, I may have thought of a few people I could take in a physical fight. With age, I will sadly confess that I shifted my thoughts to the imaginary battles I could win with argument. Maybe you have done the same. I suspect we would both agree that we would not want to contend with God!
As we eavesdrop on this conversation, we hear God’s questions to Israel: “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!” God goes on to remind Israel of all that he has done for them. He rescued them from Egypt and redeemed them from their house of slavery. He gave them great leadership in Moses and Aaron. And God continued with other examples that indicate that he always rules righteously.
It appears that Israel isn’t sure or at least acts like they are unsure of what God requires of them now. Israel proposes questions trying to figure out how to get on God’s good side and resolve their confusion or disagreement.
Do justice, act with kindness, and walk humbly
The suggestion focuses on how they might prove their loyalty and improve their status with God. Should they bow down before God more often? Should they increase the number of sacrifices they make? Should they improve the quality of the animal they offer at the sacrifice? Maybe offer hundreds or even thousands of animal sacrifices to God.
The suggestions grow more extreme as Israel suggests rivers of oil to be poured out to please God. Are they to offer their firstborn child to God to restore their relationship? All of this seems preposterous except when we remember how often we have tried to negotiate with God thinking that if we give more in the offering or do more work for God then he will finally agree with us and answer our prayers and give us what we want or think we need.
God’s answer then and God’s answer now for us is clear and remarkably simple:
Treat people fairly and advocate for those who experience injustice.
Treat others with kindness.
Walk humbly with God.
You know the verse well. Here is God’s answer for what he requires of us:
“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.”
When we become confused trying to discover God’s will for us for a situation, in an argument, and in all things, we can start with the basics. We are loved by God, redeemed by God, and called by God to share his goodness. No matter what stage of life or situation we are in, following this prophetic message from Micah is all the Lord wants from us. He will take care of the rest.
Father, forgive us for the many times we have ignored the beauty and the simplicity of what you have told us to do. We surrender to you today as we do justice, act with kindness, and walk humbly before you and with others. In Jesus name, Amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Micah 6:1-8 ESV
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
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