Micah 6:8 - What God Requires of Man.
Micah 6:8 - What God Requires of Man.
Micah 6:8 (KJV) He hath showed 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?
Micah 6:8 (NLT) No, O people, the LORD has already told you what
is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
WORD STUDY
Justly or Right. is to order ones life according to the
judgments of God. [SDA Bible Commentary]
Mercy, is a rich word which includes the idea of faithful love
in action. [Believers SB]
Walk humbly. When men walk humbly with God they order their
lives in harmony with the divine will. [SDA Bible Commentary mod]
God desires us to be in an on-going intimate relationship with him
that transforms the way we relate to other people. [NLT SB 2008]
INTRODUCTION
The most memorable statement in the OT defining a proper
relationship to God (see Jer 22:16; Hos 6:6 and notes; cf. Jas 1:27). Micah
here summarizes major themes found in the prophecies of his near
contemporaries: Amos (act justly; cf. Am 5:24), Hosea (love mercy;
cf. Hos 6:6) and Isaiah (walk humbly with your God; cf. Isa
29:19). Cf. also Mt 23:23. [NIV SB 2008]
These verses, probably the best known passage in Micah, are
worth memorizing. The prophet proclaims an essential aspect of
biblical religion. God does not desire sacrifice of material things -
even of one's own firstborn, nor does He require us to follow a
complicated system of rules and regulations (vv. 6, 7). He asks us to be
just and merciful to our fellowman and to live in humble obedience to
God. The message was also proclaimed by Jesus (see Matt. 22:36-40).
[Passages Of Life SB re vv. 6-8]
COMMENTARY
The first two principles have to do with the horizontal
human-to-human relationship, the final one deals with the vertical human-to-God
relationship. [Andrews SB]
To do justly, and to love mercy is to act with justice and
kindness. These are manward virtues and sum up the intent of the second
table of the Decalogue (see on Matt. 22:39, 40). To walk humbly
with thy God is to live in harmony with the principles of the
first table of the Decalogue (see on Matt. 22:37, 38). This is Godward
virtue. Love expressed in action with respect to God and to our fellow
men is good; it is all that God requires, for love is the
fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:10). [SDA Bible Commentary]
The Lord desires the primary forms of love - justice (do
justice), mercy (love kindness), and faithfulness (walk humbly) - as the
expressed response of his people to his redemptive acts (Matt. 23:23; cf.
Deut. 10:12"13; 1 Sam. 15:22; Isa. 1:11"17; Hos. 6:6). [ESV SB
2008]
Micah 6:8, a well-known and oft-memorized verse, answers a
series of questions put forth by a confused people who had lost their
moral and spiritual bearings.
The people of Israel wanted to know what they could do to be
acceptable to the Lord. In an oppressive and deceitful society, they had
lost a sense of what the Lord regards as good. God gave them a
concrete answer: He is not seeking mechanical, ritualistic worship
(6:5"6), but that his people do what is right in relationship with him
and in their relationships with each other. As they are motivated by
love, their actions will be tempered by justice, mercy, and humility
(see 7:18"20). Gods people are not to oppress others, but to do
what is just, righteous, and honest toward one another.
Micah 6:8 summarizes what God had already made known in the
past to Israel: Humility, faith, and obedience are pleasing to him.
God declared this message to Abraham (Gen 15:6; 17:1, 9), to Moses
at Sinai (Exod 20"23), through his prophets (e.g., Deut 6:1"8;
Hos 6:6), and through Israels wise men (Prov 1:7).
It pleases God when his people walk humbly in faith before
him, as exemplified by Moses (Num 12:3), Habakkuk (Hab 3:17"19),
Daniel (Dan 9:1"19), and Ezra (Ezra 9:5"15). Real spirituality and
devotion is in doing good, seeking justice, relieving oppression,
defending orphans, and aiding widows (see Exod 22:21"24; 23:2"12; Deut
15:4"11; 24:12"15; Neh 5:1"13; Jer 22:16; Amos 5:7"24; Dan 4:27;
Jas 1:27). These acts are marks of Gods own character (Ps 146:9;
Matt 11:5). [NLT SB 2008]
What a tall order God's requirements are for those who have
broken his covenant law and now ask what they should do. What a
challenge for us today! Does God require his people to be successful? To
build a big church? To develop a dynamic radio or TV program? To
achieve a significant position in society? None of these makes the list
of what the Lord requires of us. Though the requirements may sound
simple, they are an important key to pleasing God: First, do what is
right; this means not only rendering just decisions but also
discovering our particular work and doing it faithfully. Second, love mercy.
God expects us to practice steadfast love, pursue and value
kindness, and act mercifully toward others, from the greatest to the
least. Third, walk in obedience and humility with the Lord. Sound easy?
Not in a fallen world. God knew this would be a tall order. But he
demonstrated what is good through his merciful acts and steadfast love, and
in Jesus he gave the ultimate model of how to live. Through his
Spirit living within us he gives us the power to do what is right, to
love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
LORD, you are not interested in outward show or performance,
elaborate sacrifices, or religious acts. You want to develop in me the
heart responses of humility, mercy, love, and justice. Work these
attitudes in me. Thank you for showing me what is good through the example
of your Son, who perfectly met all of your requirements so that
through his Spirit I may abide in you. [Praying Through The Bible By
Fuller]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
There are things required in life. To drive a car, you must
have a driver's license. To teach in a public school you need a
teaching certificate. These things are required so that a person may
"do" something, or "be" something. To be a follower of God, there are
requirements. Fear God, not as the "Great Punisher in the Sky," but rather
with a reverence for who and what He is! We can begin to see Him in
His creation. To walk in His ways is to order your life, your walk,
according to His Word, which must be regularly read to know Him more
fully. And as you begin to know Him more fully, you grow in affection
for Him. And this ultimately leads to the desire to serve Him. To
know Him, to love Him, to serve Him. Is that your desire? Today
draw near, read His Word and pray to Him. It is His desire you
should. [In His Time, Walk with Wisdom]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
To walk with God involves constant prayer and watchfulness.
[Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]
Every act must come from a relationship to God, making Him Lord
and us His humble servants. [Disciple SB]
God wants people to have fellowship with Him and with one
another. [Disciple SB]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20080414-0831.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050812-1050.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
