Micah 6

Micah 6

1 Hear what the Lord says:

Arise, plead your case before the mountains,

    and let the hills hear your voice.

2 Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord,

    and you enduring foundations of the earth,

for the Lord has an indictment against his people,

    and he will contend with Israel.

3 “O my people, what have I done to you?

    How have I wearied you? Answer me!

4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt

    and redeemed you from the house of slavery,

and I sent before you Moses,

    Aaron, and Miriam.

5 O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,

    and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,

and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,

    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,

    and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

    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, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

9 The voice of the Lord cries to the city—

    and it is sound wisdom to fear your name:

“Hear of the rod and of him who appointed it!

10     Can I forget any longer the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked,

    and the scant measure that is accursed?

11 Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales

    and with a bag of deceitful weights?

12 Your rich men are full of violence;

    your inhabitants speak lies,

    and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

13 Therefore I strike you with a grievous blow,

    making you desolate because of your sins.

14 You shall eat, but not be satisfied,

    and there shall be hunger within you;

you shall put away, but not preserve,

    and what you preserve I will give to the sword.

15 You shall sow, but not reap;

    you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil;

    you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine.

16 For you have kept the statutes of Omri,

    and all the works of the house of Ahab;

    and you have walked in their counsels,

that I may make you a desolation, and your inhabitants a hissing;

    so you shall bear the scorn of my people.”

-Pray

Title: What Does the Lord Require of You?

Opening Illustration:

In a small town in Kentucky, a devastating fire destroyed the home of an elderly widow named Margaret. 

With no insurance and limited resources, she faced an uncertain future. 

But then, something remarkable happened. 

The townspeople came together, pooling their money, skills, and time to rebuild her home from the ground up. 

Carpenters volunteered to frame the walls, plumbers installed new pipes, and neighbors prepared meals for the workers. 

Within weeks, Margaret had a new house, built by the love and care of her community. 

This extraordinary act of generosity and compassion sparked conversations about what it truly means to love your neighbor. 

Their actions demonstrated not only kindness but also a deeper sense of justice, mercy, and humility. 

As we explore Micah 6 today, we’ll discover how God’s timeless call to His people aligns with such virtues.

I. God’s Controversy with His People (Micah 6:1-5)

Verse 1: "Hear now what the LORD says: 'Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.'"

The word “plead” (ריב, rib) carries the legal sense of presenting a case in court. God is calling His people to a covenant lawsuit, with creation as the witness.

Application: When God confronts us, it’s not out of hostility but a call to examine our hearts and return to covenant faithfulness.

Verse 2: "Hear, O you mountains, the LORD’s complaint, and you strong foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a complaint against His people, and He will contend with Israel."

The term “complaint” (ריב, rib) reiterates the legal setting. God’s issue isn’t random; it’s rooted in His people’s breach of covenant obligations.

Application: God’s justice calls us to accountability but also offers us the chance to reconcile.

Verse 3: "O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me."

God’s rhetorical questions reveal His heartbreak over Israel’s ingratitude. 

The verb “wearied” (לאה, la’ah) suggests a false perception of burdening.

Application: How often do we see God’s commands as burdensome rather than giving life?

Verses 4-5:

God recounts His faithfulness: delivering them from Egypt, providing leaders (Moses, Aaron, Miriam), and protecting them from curses (Balak and Balaam).

The reference to “Shittim to Gilgal” highlights God’s provision as Israel crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land.

Application: Reflect on God’s past faithfulness as motivation for present obedience.

II. What Does the Lord Require? (Micah 6:6-8)

Verse 6: "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?"

The people’s question reveals confusion about worship. They equate extravagant offerings with pleasing God.

The phrase “High God” (מרום, marom) emphasizes God’s exalted nature.

Application: Worship is more than rituals; it’s about the heart.

-We can go through all the motions and not truly worship…..

Verse 7: "Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"

This exaggerated question points to the uselessness of trying to buy God’s favor. 

The phrase “firstborn” (בכור, bekor) reflects the ultimate personal sacrifice but is disgusting to God.

Application: God’s favor isn’t earned through excess but received through faith and obedience.

Verse 8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Key terms:

“Do justly” (עשה משפט, asah mishpat): Actively pursue fairness and righteousness.

“Love mercy” (אהבה חסד, ahavah chesed): Cherish covenantal kindness.

“Walk humbly” (הצנע צנע, hatznea lekhet): Live with modesty and reverence toward God.

Application: This verse summarizes the essence of a godly life.

III. Consequences of Disobedience (Micah 6:9-16)

Verse 9: "The LORD’s voice cries to the city—Wisdom shall see Your name: 'Hear the rod! Who has appointed it?'"

The “rod” (מטה, matteh) symbolizes God’s discipline.

Application: God’s correction is an invitation to repentance.

Verses 10-12:

God condemns dishonesty (false weights, deceitful scales) and violence. The Hebrew word for “wicked” (רשע, rasha) conveys moral corruption.

Application: Justice begins in our daily interactions and business practices.

Verses 13-16:

God’s judgment includes desolation and futility. 

The historical references (Omri, Ahab) warn against following ungodly leaders.

Application: Aligning with God’s ways brings life; turning from them brings ruin.

Conclusion: Life Applications

-Pursue Justice in All Areas of Life: Reflect on how you can promote fairness in your community, workplace, and relationships.

-Practice Loving-Kindness: Make acts of mercy and kindness a daily habit, starting with those closest to you.

-Walk Humbly with God: Cultivate a posture of dependence, gratitude, and reverence in your relationship with God.

Closing Challenge:

Like the community that rebuilt the widow’s home, God calls us to live out our faith through justice, mercy, and humility. Imagine the impact we could have if each of us took Micah 6:8 to heart. 

Will you commit to this today?

-Pray