 |
 |
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
| >>> | |||||
Micah 6:8 - What God Requires of Mankind.Micah 6:8 (TEV) No, the LORD has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.INTRODUCTION The most memorable statement in the OT defining a proper relationship to God. [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] TRANSLATIONS 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. Micah 6:8 (NCV) The LORD has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God. Micah 6:8 (TEV) No, the LORD has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God. WORD STUDY Act Justly (Do Right): To order one's life according to the "judgments" of God. [SDA Bible Commentary] This means upholding fairness, righteousness, and moral rightness in all dealings with others, as taught in God's Word. AI Love Mercy (Love Kindness/Faithfulness): Is a rich word which includes the idea of faithful love in action. [Believer's SB] This involves delighting in showing compassion, loyalty, and faithfulness, extending grace even when it's difficult. AI Walk Humbly with God: 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] This means acknowledging dependence on God, living in modest gratitude for His guidance, and following His ways, as exemplified by figures like Noah. AI APPLICATION People have tried all kinds of ways to please God (6:6-7), but God has made his requirements clear: Do what is just and right, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. In your efforts to please God, examine these areas on a regular basis. Are you fair in your dealings with people and money? Do you show mercy to those who wrong you? Do you keep your ego from taking over your thoughts and actions? Are you living in a way that reflects a deep and growing relationship with God? [Life Application SB 2019] Micah 6:8 is a key Bible verse summarizing God's requirements for humanity: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God, often cited as a core principle for ethical living, emphasizing fairness, compassion, and a dependent relationship with God, moving beyond mere ritual. It highlights that God wants people to embody justice, show kindness (mercy/faithfulness), and live with modest reliance on Him, not just perform religious sacrifices. This verse offers a simple yet profound summary of God's desires, focusing on internal character and outward actions towards others, rather than just external religious acts or sacrifices. It calls people to reflect God's own character of justice, mercy, and humility in their daily lives. AI COMMENTARY PEARL 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] 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). God's 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 Israel's 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 God's own character (Ps 146:9; Matt 11:5). [NLT SB 2008] ILLUSTRATION 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 PEARLS 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 Micah 6:8 - What God Requires of Man. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170518-2049.html Hosea 12:6 - What God Expects Of His Children. (updated) http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050812-1050.html Deuteronomy 10:12,13 - What God Expects of His Children? http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20080414-0831.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |