How Should We Live?
[Micah6:8 NASB] 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?
[9] Micah 6:1-8
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A(6:1-2)
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Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD (6:2)
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B(6:3-5)
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Questions of the LORD
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B'(6:6-7)
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Questions of the people
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A'(6:8)
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You have been told (6:8)
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Introduction: Micah’s name means, “Who is like the Lord?” and is an expression of praise to the God who is incomparable. Micah appears to have been a non-professional prophet (not paid for his ministry; Micah 3:5,11), a man of courage, conviction, and personal faith whose main focus was on the need for social justice. According to Jewish tradition, Micah was thrown off a mountain by the king due to his call to make things right among God’s people. It is believed by conservative scholars that his ministry spanned a 50-year period from 739 to 686 B.C. [1]
I. God brings us to family court! (6:1,2)
A. God is the judge
B. Micah is the prosecuting attorney
C. The Mountains as the oldest part of the earth serve as witnesses
II. God’s Plea (6:3-5)
A. God calls us to be reasonable
B. Has God failed them?
1. Redeeming them from Egypt
2. Saving them from the curse of Balaam
3. Forgiving their sins and bringing them into the Promised Land
III. Our defense (6:6,7) – Self-righteousness and manipulation
A. What more can you desire from us?
B. Can we bribe you with “more” to get your blessing?
C. Sarcastically, asking if God wants the sacrifice of our children
IV. God’s heartfelt reply – What I want has never changed
A. Do Justice – “Mishpat” is Outwardly “giving people what they are due, whether punishment, or protection, or care” (Keller). Because of this to “do justice” was to take up the care of the widows, orphans, immigrants and the poor. What has been called the biblical “quartet of the vulnerable”. [2]
When we do justice we reflect the character of the God of redemption, grace, and righteousness in our actions. We reflect God’s true image.
[Deuteronomy 10:18-19 NASB] 18 "He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. 19 "So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
This means we must also strive for the social structures, civil laws, and cultural institutions that will promote justice.
B. To love kindness – Hesed is having an inward commitment to the revelation of God’s grace and kindness in redeeming us by the blood of Messiah Jesus that it will manifest itself in merciful actions towards others.
[Ephesians 4:32 NASB] 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
C. To walk humbly – Tsanah – To now do justice or love kindness with a self-righteous or self-sufficient attitude. To be humble is to know that we need to be in continuous fellowship with the LORD to accomplish anything.
[Jhn 15:5 NASB] 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
V. How should we then live?[3]
Thanks
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