Read:
Micah 6
This chapter depicts a courtroom scene
where God is building a lawsuit against Israel.
Micah begins by asking the people to listen to the Lord’s
accusation. God asks a rhetorical
question, “What have I done to you (v. 3)?” and recounts His faithfulness to
them including their deliverance from Egypt (v. 4), how Balaam blessed Israel
instead of cursing them (v. 5a) and how they crossed the Jordan on dry land
between Gilgal and Shittim (v. 5b). The
people respond by trying to bribe God with sacrifices, they are not repentant
(v. 6-7). Micah then tells them in verse
8 what God wants: “…O
people, the Lord has
told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is
right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
God wants justice, mercy, loyalty and love! Israel was far from Him and because of this
God could declare them guilty. They had
cheated people with dishonest scales and false weights (v. 11). They are a people of violence, lies and
deceit (v. 12) therefore they will be punished.
They will eat but experience hunger, they will store but save nothing,
they will plant but not harvest, and they will work and get nothing in return
(v. 14-15). They will be given over to
ruin and be the scorn of nations (v. 16).
Prayer
and Journaling
1. Verses 3-5 speak of God’s faithfulness to
His people. How has God recently shown
you His faithfulness?
2. Sometimes Christians reduce Christianity down
to simply following a bunch of rules or doing certain things like going to
church or having regular devotions and avoiding other things like sin. What does this chapter teach about these
things?
3. Ask the Lord to show you how you can
better live out verse 8. Pray that you
will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to His Word.
