(REFLECTIONS ON Micah 6:1-16)

1 Hear now what the Lord is saying,
“Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
And let the hills hear your voice.
2 “Listen, you mountains, to the indictment of the Lord,
And you enduring foundations of the earth,
Because the Lord has a case against His people;
Even with Israel He will dispute.

The case before Israel, God’s people, is not done in private, but in public. The Lord’s judgment against Israel is for all to see, yes even for all of creation to see and hear.

That is because the Lord’s message to Israel is to show the nations who He is, and not what Israel has made Him to be. Yes, He is God, the creator of the heavens and earth, and not a god made, created by or created for Israel. He is their God, and they are His people.

He is the one that delivered them from Egypt, out of slavery, and He is the one that called them into covenant with Him. “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.”

Israel is required to make their case in public, so that all the nations and all of creation could hear and see how Israel had fallen short of the Lord’s glory and calling.

The Lord would also make a case against His people amongst all of creation, so that all the nations and all of creation would know that He is God.

The Lord’s public trial and lesson for Israel, not only reminds them of who they are and what is expected of them, but also allows all of creation to know as well, so that there are none that can plead ignorance.

6 With what shall I come to the Lord
And bow myself before the God on high?
Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings,
With yearling calves?
7 Does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams,
In ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Yes, Israel knows, but not just Israel, but all the nations, all of creation, and yes even us, the Church today know, the Lord doesn’t just want religion, ceremony for ceremony’s sake, or a heart asking for forgiveness of sin without true repentance.

In a public way, the question is presented, “What does the Lord require of you?“

How do we answer that question? Do we think that the Lord requires more works? Do we think that the Lord wants us to just continue to say sorry without true repentance?

No, not just saying sorry, not just more works, not just checking off more boxes, but to do justice, His justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.

How do we know what His justice is, how to love kindness instead of reacting in anger and hatred, and to walk humbly with God? No, it is not trying harder, but rather to actively walk towards the cross, denying ourselves and carrying our cross, with our eyes fixed on Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to walk humbly with God.

“What does the Lord require of you?” To live Christ, to trust in Christ’s faithfulness, and to let the Holy Spirit transform us, not just through religious ceremony, but in Christ alone.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Micah 6