Three Things

by Dr. Rob Debelak

The well-known passage of Micah 6:8 responds to a main question posed in v. 6a: “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God?” The question is extended in three subsequent angles raised by people searching for an answer to, “What will it take to worship God acceptably?”

The first thought is sacrifice, as verses 6 and 7 mention Old Testament animals offered in ritual, and involved some cost. The next frantic inquiry couples offerings with excessive lavishness (thousands… ten thousands), and implies increases of considerable value! The third query employs hyperbole—exaggeration (offering one’s firstborn), and though “over the top,” the overstatement may mask just how spiritually bankrupt people can be.

What will it take? What must I give? How much is needed? To what extreme must I go? Likely, we’ve all been there—we recognize our need to be in God’s good graces, yet strangely, we opt to trivialize a true relationship with Him. Like those in the text, our questions may betray a form of bargaining with our spirituality that sadly asks, “What is a right relationship with God really going to cost me?”

God’s response, though, through His spokesman, Micah, does not address the waywardness of the questions. Rather, the prophet reminds the people of three things, three important things they already know: “He hath shewed 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?”

The first of these, justice, aims at consistently ensuring a fair shake for everyone. The second, mercy, is an expression of God’s kind of covenant love—as such, “loving lovingkindness” gets at taking delight in regularly extending mercy (or “getting a kick out of being merciful”). Finally, a constant, humble walk with God speaks to life-conduct; it calls for abandoning arrogance in the journey with God.

If the people had asked about sacrificing their firstborns (v. 7b, which was forbidden), they could have had “roleplaying” Abraham in mind (Genesis 22). Rather, v. 8 calls one to walk in humility with God, like Abraham—and that covers a lot more bases! Further, the reminder for exhibiting justice, mercy, and a humble walk with God were indicators of people who had a relationship with God

but had forgotten the holy life He had called them to, how to worship acceptably, and what it meant to please God in one’s life.

Those who would respond favorably would reflect God’s own character (He is just, He loves mercy, and He walks with us). Those wanting to honor the Lord would evidence fruit of God’s work in their life, seen most notably in right relationships with others (justice, mercy) and in a life submitted to God (a humble walk).

About The Author

Dr. Rob Debelak is associate professor of Bible in Lee University’s Online Program. He has taught at Lee University for 25 years, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He and his family reside in Cleveland, TN.