Reflections on Micah 6

Micah 06 (Contemporary English Version)


1. The LORD said to his people: Come and present your case to the hills and mountains.
   
2. Israel, I am bringing charges against you-- I call upon the mountains and the earth's firm foundation to be my witnesses.
   
3. My people, have I wronged you in any way at all? Please tell me.
   
4. I rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to be your leaders.
   
5. Don't forget the evil plans of King Balak of Moab or what Balaam son of Beor said to him. Remember how I, the LORD, saved you many times on your way from Acacia to Gilgal.
   
6. What offering should I bring when I bow down to worship the LORD God Most High? Should I try to please him by sacrificing calves a year old?
   
7. Will thousands of sheep or rivers of olive oil make God satisfied with me? Should I sacrifice to the LORD my first-born child as payment for my terrible sins?
   
8. The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: "See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God."
   
9. I am the LORD, and it makes sense to respect my power to punish. So listen to my message for the city of Jerusalem:
   
10. You store up stolen treasures and use dishonest scales.
    
11. But I, the LORD, will punish you for cheating with weights and with measures.
    
12. You rich people are violent, and everyone tells lies.
    
13. Because of your sins, I will wound you and leave you ruined and defenseless.
    
14. You will eat, but still be hungry; you will store up goods, but lose everything-- I, the LORD, will let it all be captured in war.
    
15. You won't harvest what you plant or use the oil from your olive trees or drink the wine from grapes you grow.
    
16. Jerusalem, this will happen because you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab. Now I will destroy you and your property. Then the people of every nation will make fun and insult you.
    

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The previous two chapters dealt much with the future, contrasting the way Israel was in Micah's day with how it will one day be after Christ's second advent when He will rule the world. At that time Israel will be what God intended her to be. In chapter 6 the text returns to Micah's day and to the sins of Israel. As pointed out in earlier reflections, the book of Micah contains three messages. Chapter 6 begins the third of those messages which is an indictment against Israel for her sin. But God's indictments are nearly always accompanied with a promise of hope or blessing, and so also is this one.

As in an earlier chapter, the Lord again called on witnesses to hear His case against Israel - "plead your case before the mountains." Israel was also challenged to make her case against God - "My people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Testify against Me!" Then, as is often found alongside God's charges against Israel, God reminds the nation of His goodness to them in delivering them from slavery in Egypt. As if the case has been settled and Israel has been found guilty, Micah then raises the question as to how Israel might find forgiveness with God.

In human justice systems those found guilty are given a punishment they must endure. But God's system of justice offers another option - repentance and forgiveness. Admission of guilt in the human system of justice has become almost unheard of. But, although admitting one's guilt will not cause them to avoid their punishment, it can often help reduce the punishment. With God, though, admission of guilt and a desire to turn away from the wrong actions will erase the punishment and guilt. What it will not do is erase the consequences of the wrongdoing. The harm one's wrongdoing may have brought to others is not erased when one repents of their wrongdoing, nor will the actions of others against them because of their wrongdoing be erased. It is their guilt before God and punishment He would bring that is erased. In its place one is given a sense of inner peace because of being in right relationship with their Creator.

Being out of a right relationship with our Creator causes an emptiness in our being that we often try to fill in ways that are harmful to us and to others. It makes no difference whether we believe in God or not, we are made to have a relationship with God, our Creator. Having inner peace, finding the meaning of life, and putting life in proper perspective are all dependent on this relationship with God.

Returning to Micah and the question of how Israel might find forgiveness with God, Micah asks if he should bring burnt offerings when he bows before God. Would God be pleased with an abundance of sacrifices? The answer? Israel already knows what she must do. Though sacrifice should not be omitted, it is correcting her behavior that God requires. What God requires of her is to stop her evil ways and "to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God." Religious activity and rituals are empty unless accompanied with right behavior and attitude.

Israel is accused here of acting deceptively in her business practices and her cities being full of violence. If she is to find favor with God and avoid the coming destruction she must repent of these evil practices and change her behavior. If she does not, God promises that she will be struck severely and suffer desolation.