Although I love reading, understanding legal language or reading lawsuit grounds is definitely not my forte. I can quickly get lost in all the words; reading them over and over again to digest the content. I am more of a visionary, so imagery is helpful to my understanding.
In our passage today, the prophet Micah uses imagery to communicate to God’s people about their violations against the Lord. Essentially, Micah serves Israel a covenant lawsuit using the eternal mountains and the hills as witnesses to the people’s unfaithfulness toward God’s Law. Because the mountains have been around a long time, they “know” the Truth. As defendants, the people seek to regain God’s favor, but they have offended the Lord with their attitudes and actions and have NO desire to change.
From the beginning, God has clearly put forth his righteous standard to which humanity always tries to negotiate a new deal. Selfishly, we want our desires fulfilled; so, we choose to believe a God of love would want that, too. However, God’s first interest is not to fulfill our desires even though rewards are a part of his covenant promise. Rather, God’s greatest purpose is to save and redeem humanity, so we can enjoy a righteous relationship with him that will last throughout eternity. Redemption prepares us to proclaim the Truth to others as the Spirit bears witness. Without Jesus we are separated from God and the Lord wants a reunion with his people that is secure and eternal on the grounds of his knowledge as Creator.
It is fruitless to try and bargain with God, but like the Israelites we certainly try to do it, anyway. The Lord desires repentance and a people who remain faithful to the covenant agreement. Only Jesus—our holy Advocate—can help us with that litigation.
Micah 6:6-8 NLT
6
What can we bring to the Lord?
Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
with offerings of yearling calves?
7
Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
8
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Prayer: Lord, only you can make us righteous and help us bear the righteous fruit of the Spirit. Please forgive our prideful attitudes and ungrateful actions. We humble ourselves before you and trust your ways for our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.