Micah 6
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CHAPTER 6
The Lord’s Case Against Israel (6:1–8)
1–2 The Lord summons Israel to answer His accusations; He calls upon the mountains to “hear” His case, because they have witnessed Israel’s sins from the beginning (see Deuteronomy 32:1; Isaiah 1:2).
3–5 The Lord begins His case against the Israelites by reminding them of what He has done for them in the past. He redeemed (delivered) them from EGYPT; He gave them great leaders (verse 4). He thwarted the schemes of Balak and Balaam (Numbers Chapters 22–24), and led them from Shittim to Gilgal (verse 5)—that is, across the Jordan and into the promised land (Joshua 3:1; 4:19). In all this, God had been righteous, faithful, to His people; but they had been unfaithful.
6–7 Israel now responds as if it were a single person; perhaps a king or high priest is speaking for the nation. This “person” offers to bring immense gifts to the Lord—thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of oil (verse 7); he even offers to sacrifice his firstborn (see 2 Kings 16:3). He asks if all this will be sufficient to make up for his own and his nation’s sin. Will God be satisfied?
8 Micah gives the answer: God will not be satisfied. He does not desire gifts and sacrifices in themselves; He desires a sincere and repentant heart. He desires faithfulness to His covenant, a faithfulness expressed in obedience and right living (see Isaiah 1:10–17; Hosea 6:4–6 and comments).
In this well–known verse, Micah defines “right living”: it is to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with . . . God.20 This is another way of expressing the two great commandments: to love God and to love one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30–31). The person who seeks to do these things will be accepted and blessed by God.
This does not mean that people are saved by doing good works; people are saved only by God’s GRACE through FAITH (Ephesians 2:8–9). Micah’s words here are addressed to God’s covenant people;21 they have already been saved. But once saved, once chosen, God’s people are then expected to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Israel’s Guilt and Punishment (6:9–16)
9–16 In these verses God gives the details of His case against Israel. In verse 9, Micah tells the people of the city (probably Jerusalem, the religious center of the nation) to listen, and to heed the rod of DISCIPLINE and the Lord who appointed it. In an aside to God, Micah adds that to fear His name—God Himself—is the essence of wisdom (see Proverbs 9:10).
In verses 10–12, God says He will not forget or overlook Israel’s sins of dishonesty, greed and injustice.22
In verses 13–15, God announces the punishment He will inflict on the Israelites. God had long ago warned the Israelites that such a punishment would come upon them if they disobeyed His covenant (see Leviticus 26:16,26). The people’s disobedience had increased overall since Solomon’s death, though there were a few short periods of revival in Judah. The people had followed the examples of omri and Ahab (verse 16), two of the most evil kings in Israel's history (1 Kings 16:25,30).
Therefore, the verdict is in: the Israelites are guilty of the charges brought against them by God. Israel’s punishment is now certain.