Micah–Great Expectations

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

God responds that being a religious person who attends church and returns tithe, etc. is not enough. God expects far loftier things from his people, vr. 8, “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the LORD require of you. But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

As I watch the news these past few weeks,

I regularly hear about the conflict taking place in Ukraine. I see the great humanitarian need for food, shelter, medicines, etc. As I observe these things happening, I am reminded of the message found in the book of Micah.

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the LORD require of you, But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.” (NASB)

It is really a misnomer to call Micah a minor prophet. The message of Micah is anything but minor in significance. The twelve minor prophets are referred to this way only because they are not as long as the other prophets. The reality is that Micah’s message is a timeless message that is still as relevant today as first spoken many years ago.

Micah is a contemporary of Isaiah, and both addressed the southern Kingdom of Judah. Isaiah was of royal background and spoke primarily to the upper class.

Micah was from a poorer class and spoke to the heart of the common man. They prophesied during the evil reign of King Ahaz.

Micah sets up the scene as being a courtroom with the players as you would see in a courtroom today. God has an accusation to make against his people. They are accused of injustice and violence. They are known for exploiting the powerless, for their covetousness, greed, and cruelty. The Landlords are stealing from the poor, evicting widows and orphans, and putting them on the street. Merchants use inaccurate scales to charge more than things should cost.

The people respond to these accusations by asking God how they can make things right. Shall they come before him with offerings beyond the normal expectations, “Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil…Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts?” They thought that God would somehow be satisfied by carrying out ritualistic religion.

God responds that being a religious person who attends church and returns tithe, etc., is not enough. God expects far loftier things from his people, Verse 8, “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the LORD require of you. But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” God expects that we treat people with fairness. He expects his people to go beyond fairness to show mercy and to be humble before Him.

When I see humanitarian needs in the world today, I am reminded of God’s ideal for his people to respond with kindness, compassion, and love. Let’s do our part to make this world a more pleasant place to live.

By Gary Hodder, President Alberta Conference