Miquéias 6

Miquéias 6

Morris says "The Levitical sacrifices had been established by God. They were vitally important when offered in faith, acknowledging personal sin and trusting God's provision of forgiveness on the basis of the shed blood of the innocent substitutes. They were of no avail, of course, if offered simply as a ritual or for other unworthy motives." Are we not at times guilty of the same thing in the NT, going through an external ritual without any authentic change of heart? I fear that at times I even confess my sins in such a way as to just be going through the motions, using 1Jn 1:9 almost as a "spiritual band-aid!" 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? O man Romans 9:20; 1 Corinthians 7:16; James 2:20 what is 1 Samuel 12:23; Nehemiah 9:13; Ps 73:28; Lamentations 3:26; Luke 10:42; Romans 7:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 and what Deuteronomy 10:12,13 to do Genesis 18:19; 1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 21:3; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Isaiah 1:16-19; 58:6-11; Jeremiah 7:3-6; Hosea 6:6; 12:6; Amos 5:24; Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 3:8-10; Mark 12:30-34; Luke 11:42; Titus 2:11,12; 2 Peter 1:5-8 love Ps 37:26; 112:4,9; Isaiah 57:1,2; Matthew 5:7; 18:32-35; Luke 6:36; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:8 walk humbly - Heb. humble thyself to walk. Genesis 5:22; Leviticus 26:41; 2 Chronicles 30:11; 32:26; 33:12,13,19,23; 34:27; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2; Ezekiel 16:63; Daniel 4:37; Matthew 5:3; Luke 18:13-17; Romans 10:1-3; James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5,6 See Spurgeon's Sermons on this passage - Micah's Message for Today (2328) - Micah 6:8 Walking Humbly with God (1557) - Micah 6:8 GOD'S DELIGHT: MORAL OBEDIENCE God is not after things but people. He is interested in external offerings only as they reflect a right internal relationship (cp Dt 6:5, Lev 19:18, Mt 22:37-38, Ro 12:1-2)! Compare these other great OT passages that summarize God's desire for His people... Hos 6:4, 6 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim (Northern Kingdom)? What shall I do with you, O Judah (Southern Kingdom)? For your loyalty is like a morning cloud, And like the dew which goes away early....For I delight in loyalty (MORAL) rather than sacrifice (CEREMONIAL), And in the knowledge of God (MORAL) rather than burnt offerings (CEREMONIAL). Amos 5:24 “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Micah replies to the questions posed by the "hypothetical worshiper" (Israel) in Micah 6:5-6. G. L. Robinson - “This verse stands as the motto of the alcove of religion in the reading room of the Congressional Library in Washington.” Barker on Micah 6:8 - Politicians have quoted it often in their election campaigns (if only more would practice it!). Numerous accolades have been showered on it. For example, von Rad says, “This is the quintessence of the commandments as the prophets understood them.” J. M. P. Smith calls it “the finest summary of the content of practical religion to be found in the OT.” And Boadt observes, “The rabbis who commented on this verse in the early centuries of the Christian era called it a one-line summary of the whole Law.” Paul Apple - God’s Clear Requirements 1. Not Hidden but Revealed - “He has told you, O man, what is good;” 2. Not Complicated but Straightforward “And what does the Lord require of you” a. Justice in Defending the Helpless (vs. Exploitation) “But to do justice” b. Kindness in Word and Deed (vs. Meanness) “to love kindness” c. Humility in Serving God (vs. Pride) “And to walk humbly with your God.” Feinberg: The piety that God approves consists of three elements: a strict adherence to that which is equitable in all dealings with our fellowmen; a heart determined to do them good; and diligent care to live in close and intimate fellowship with God. . . Liberals who love to make a religion out of this verse fail to realize that these requirements of the Law are impossible of fulfillment by the unregenerate man. Only the Spirit of God can enable any man to fulfill the righteous ordinance set forth in the Law (Ro 8:3,4-note; Phil 2:13-note). Arno Gaebelein - Where has God made the demand? In the law. There is no more deadly error than to hold up this verse as the essence of the gospel and the one true, saving religion. Yet this we hear today on all sides. But the most loud-mouthed advocates of this “saving religion” practice what the Lord demands the least. And there is a good reason for it. Israel did not act in righteousness, nor did they love mercy, nor did they walk humbly in fellowship with the Lord. Why not? Because they were uncircumcised in their hearts (Ed: See on site Excursus on Circumcision of the Heart). To do right, to love mercy, to walk in humility with God is impossible for the natural man; in order to do this there must be the new birth, and the new birth takes place when the sinner believes and expresses his faith in true repentance (Ed: Abraham gives us the OT example of salvation by grace through in Genesis 15:6). Only a blind leader of the blind can say this verse is the "gospel," and that faith in the deity of Christ and in His atoning, ever blessed work on the cross is not needed. Israel never has been anything like this which Jehovah demands. The day is coming when the Lord in His grace will give them a new heart and take away the stony heart, and fill them with His spirit. (Read Ezekiel 36:1-38, especially Ezek 36:24-27-commentary) (- Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible)