Preparing for the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany - MIcah 6:1-8

First, let me just say that we haven't forgotten about our promise to write about each of the lectionary readings.  This week we are simply trying different days and times to confirm what days and times are best for future posts.

Here is the text from Micah 6:1-8:

Listen to what the Lord says:

“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
    let the hills hear what you have to say.

² “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
    listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case against his people;
    he is lodging a charge against Israel.

³ “My people, what have I done to you?
    How have I burdened you? Answer me.
⁴ I brought you up out of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
    also Aaron and Miriam.
⁵ My people, remember
    what Balak king of Moab plotted
    and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

⁶ With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.

 

One of the most powerful themes in the holy scriptures is that of reversal.  Simply put, time and time again God shows us that God's expectations are different from our own.  In this text we see God who is displeased with the people of Israel.  They have been unfaithful in their worship as they follow and devote themselves to other gods and idols of the day.  God's patience is astounding.  Slow to anger and even slower to destroy.  YHWH stands in stark contrast to the other gods of the day, for YHWH has extreme concern for those oppressed or without power and those disadvantaged by dishonest action.

 

We see here a great conversation where God invites those of Israel to state their case...it is very legal in orientation as God brings a case against Israel - a people that have broken a covenant.  After this invitation by God, God then pleads God's case.  You can almost hear the pain and hurt that God feels at the way God's people have failed to uphold the covenant.  God reminds Israel of all the many things that God has done to free them and redeem them; yet there is still an inference that God's people don't believe that it has been enough.  It is as if God is recognizing that the people's complaint is why does God punish us while other nations prosper under these other gods.  So God insistently asks, "how have I burdened you."  The next line of the text is unclear whether it is a representative of Israel that asks or the prophet himself, but clearly the people want to know what God expects.  God responds in a way that reverses the expectations of the day (what other gods expect) and reveal the true character of YHWH.  So there is no need, God says, for the things of the world in the ancient near east.  Rather, God intimates that instead of a sacrificial offering God is asking us to love mercy the way that God does.  Instead of the plunder from arms and the loot of war, God asks us for some humility.  Instead of lording our privilege over others, God asks us to act justly.

How are you (or we as a church) practicing (loving) mercy, acting justly, and walking humbly with your Lord?  Please feel free to comment below!