Micah 6:1-8 Jesus is the Answer
Micah’s ministry covered the reign of three Judean Kings (at least) – Jothan, Ahaz, and Hezekiah – in the eighth century with Hosea and Isaiah.
I. The Mercy of God (6:1-5)
(a) God's Declaration - 2 Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
(b) God's Defence - 3 O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
God, the wronged party, has become wearisome to His people
(c) God's Deliverance - 4 For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
He Provided Liberty - 4 For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants;
He Provided Land - He gave them the land of Canaam as their own.
He Provided Leadership - I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam
He Provided Lordship - 5 O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Isa 63:5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
II. The Moralism of Man (6:6-7)
6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or 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?
In response to all that God has done how do men respond?
i. Burnt Offerings – 6 shall I come before him with burnt offerings?
ii. Burnt Offerings of Year-Old Calves – with calves of a year old?
iii. A Thousand Rams – 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
iv. Ten Thousand Rivers of Olive Oil – or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
v. First Born Child – 7 shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? - Treating God as a pagan deity.
1. The Show in Worship was Rejected
2. The Sanctity in Walk was Required 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
The Revelation - 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
The Requirement - and what doth the LORD require of thee,
The Relationship - but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
III. The Matters of the Heart 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
I. JUDGMENT (INWARD– directed towards SELF). - but to do justly
Judgment denotes arriving at a decision; exercising discernment.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
II. MERCY (OUTWARD– directed towards OTHERS). - and to love mercy
Once we have judged ourselves, we are in a position to show mercy.
A. Mercy towards the lost (Luke 10:30-37) The Good Samaritan
B. Mercy towards the saved Col. 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
III. FAITH (UPWARD– directed towards GOD) walk humbly with thy God?
Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Cols 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him
