What does the LORD require of us?

Background

Micah is the author of the book of Micah. He is one of the minor prophets in the Old Testaments. He prophesy during the time of Jeremiah, Nahum, and Obadiah.

Introduction:

This passage of scripture is broken into 3 major section

1st section : God summons the mountains and hills as well as earth’s foundations to hear the case that he wishes to bring against his people

2nd section: contain the accusation: that Israel’s response to all God’s gracious actions has been one of ingratitude and rebellion.

3rd section: a first person speaker replies on behalf of the people. Without answering the charges directly, he expresses profound regret by saying, in effect, that no offering, however great, would be an appropriate way of coming before God. The prophet replies in v. 8 by specifying precisely what God requires.

What Israel May have thought?

year-old calves as burnt offering

thousands of rams

ten thousand of rivers of oil

offering of the first born.

Lev1:1-13 “Then Yahweh called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of assembly, saying, “Speak to the Israelites, and say to them, ‘When a person from you presents an offering to Yahweh, you shall present your offering from domestic animals, from the cattle or from the flock. If his offering is a burnt offering from the cattle, then he must present an unblemished male; he must present it at the door of the tent of assembly for his acceptance before Yahweh. “ ‘He must lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering and it will be accepted for him in order to make atonement for him. He must slaughter the young bull before Yahweh, then Aaron’s sons, the priests, will present the blood and sprinkle the blood all around the altar that is at the door of the tent of assembly. Then he must remove the skin of the burnt offering and cut it into its pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest will put fire on the altar and arrange the wood on the fire. Then Aaron’s sons, the priests, will arrange the pieces of m…”

What GOD required of Israel

To do justly

to act toward God and man according to the divine standard of righteousness reveal in the law.

treat your fellowman in a way that was right and fair.

offering of sacrifices commanded by God

fail to do justly was one of the main reason Israel went into captivity Zec 8:16-17

Zechariah 8:16–17 (LEB)

These are the things that you must do: speak truth, each of you, with his neighbor; practice trustworthy judgment and peace in your gates. Do not devise evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love a false oath, because all these are things I hate,” declares Yahweh.

Love mercy

show compassionate warm-heartedness toward man.

not only treat others fairly but to show mercy when mistreated themselves.

To walk humbly with your God

This means livings in humble and submissive obedience to His desire and will.

it can only happen when recognize the absolute holiness and righteousness of God.

it is humble of heart and spirit that greatly please God. Is 57:15

Isaiah 57:15 LEB

For thus says the high and lofty one who resides forever, and whose name is holy: “I reside in a high and holy place, and with the contrite and humble of spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 66:1–2 (LEB)

Thus says Yahweh:

“Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is the footstool for my feet.

Where is this house that you would build for me?

And where is this resting place for me?

And my hand has made all these things,

and all these came to be,”

declares Yahweh, “but I look to this one:

to the humble and the contrite of spirit

and the one frightened at my word.

What God Requires of Us

To do justly

to act toward God to His divine law Mt7:21 ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Ephesians 4:25–29 (LEB)

Therefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, nor give place to the devil. The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands what is good, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. No rotten word must proceed from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear,

To love mercy

to show a compassionate warm-heartedness toward man

toward widows and the fathers James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

even toward our enemies Lk 6:35-36 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting back nothing, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful!”

To walk humbly with our God

Jn 1:7-9 “This one came for a witness, in order that he could testify about the light, so that all would believe through him. That one was not the light, but came in order that he could testify about the light. The true light, who gives light to every person, was coming into the world.”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!”

listening to God studying His Word to learn His will

James 1:21 “Therefore, putting aside all moral uncleanness and wicked excess, welcome with humility the implanted message which is able to save your souls.”

1 Peter 2:2 “like newborn infants long for the unadulterated spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation,”

Talking to GOD - praying for strength and forgiveness, praising him for blessing receive He 4:14-16 “Therefore, because we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who has been tempted in all things in the same way, without sin. Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Walking with God:

doing God’s will in humble submission Ep 5:2, 8, 15 “Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise,”

8: for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light

for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light.

I know some believe

attending church on Sunday is all God require of you to do. and when they do that they feel that they have done all that is required.

attending the services of the church is important it is essential to obeying GOD He 10:25

Hebrews 10:25 (LEB)

not abandoning our meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging each other, and by so much more as you see the day drawing near.

it is required if we are expected to grow:

Conclusion

even though we may live under a different covenant, the LORD still requires us to

to do justly

to love mercy

to walk humbly with our LORD