Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. (6:8)
This verse from Micah is one of the best-known verses in the Old Testament. It is often quoted and used today, but many fail to look at it in its context within the book of Micah. This verse is to “mankind” and God certainly wants everyone to act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly before Him. Yet, we all realize that there is much more that God expects of us than just these three important concerns. He doesn’t ask any less than this, but He does ask much more from all of us who claim to be His children. To me, what is just as important as these 3 areas (justice, faithfulness, and humility) is to not brush over the first part of the verse—He has told each of us what is good and what He requires.
The nation of Israel was not without witness in Micah’s day and we are not without witness in our time either. We have the entire canon of the word of God to guide us and we have the sure witness of Jesus Christ and His life and work lived out before us in history. This “special” revelation is crucial for all of us and helps us know exactly what is good and what God requires of us. He is not a capricious God who holds out impossible expectations with no help or hope of meeting them. Instead, He is a God who has fully revealed Himself through Christ and in His word. He is a God who has given the Holy Spirit (His very presence) to every believer to be their advocate, comforter, and guide. We have access to all that we need to know in His word, and we have all that we need to live and to serve in Christ.
This particular chapter in Micah (chapter 6), is God’s case against the nation of Israel. He reminds them of their deliverance from Egypt and how He faithfully led them through Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. In response, they ask what offering they should bring, what sacrifices they should make, and how low they should bow? God’s answer is simple, “I have already told you how to please Me. It is not about the number of sacrifices you offer, but it is about the attitude of your heart.” God desires just actions, faithfulness, and humility because He desires hearts that are completely dedicated to Him. Out of the overflow of a heart fully committed to His Lordship, comes righteousness, faithfulness, humility and so much more.
