Exploring the Scripture

Today’s scripture passage is one of the most memorable and compelling from the Hebrew Bible. The passage begins with a pattern found in Isaiah 1, Hosea 4:1–6, and Jeremiah 2:4–13. God calls on Israel to defend itself against serious accusations of wrongdoing. The word translated as “controversy” (Micah 6:2) refers to legal action. God is both prosecutor and judge over the behavior and faithlessness of God’s people. God addresses the mountains and foundations of the earth as if they were jurors in a court of law. In verse 3, Israel has a chance to state how God has “wearied” them or led them to faithless behavior. There is no response because there is no fault against God. The fault lies with Israel.

In other passages like this, the opening indictment is followed by a list of the sins that Israel has committed. Here there is no recitation of Israel’s wrongdoing. The hearers know what they have done. The purpose of God’s speech is not to focus on their sins, but to remind the faithless people how faithful God has been in the past.

God rescued God’s people from slavery in Egypt and gave them freedom. God appointed excellent leaders to guide them to the promised land. When Balak, the king of Moab, hired a prophet to curse the Israelites, God gave the prophet Balaam words of blessing instead. God’s care continued at Gilgal, the stone circle the Israelites built before attacking Jericho (v. 5). Over and over, Israel has deserved condemnation, but God has given blessings instead.

God speaks of their history so the people of Israel may “know the saving acts of the Lord” (v. 5). God is, in essence, saying, “Remember! This is how I have acted toward you, to save you and redeem you, and bless you. You forget our covenant relationship, and I call you now to remembrance.”

The people answer in sorrowful tones, describing the dilemma they face. Simple sacrifices are inadequate to bridge the gap between God’s holiness and the people’s sins. What rituals would ever be enough? “Thousands of rams and ten thousands of rivers of oil” would not be enough (v. 7). Must God’s people resort to human sacrifice to appease God? The implied answer to the questions in verses 6–7 is a resounding, “No, no, no, no!”

Then the voice of the prophet speaks a healing word. God requires nothing new, nothing the people haven’t already heard. Instead of ritual sacrifice and thoughtless worship, God requires acts of justice, mercy and kindness toward others, and deep humility toward God. Notice the order in which these three ideas are listed. Justice toward others comes first, followed by kindness. Compassionate, merciful human relationships are the most important. Only then can the people walk humbly with God in a covenant relationship.

Perhaps it sounds simple. Today we do not need ritual sacrifices to worship God. But the challenge of bringing justice in the world, living in merciful relationships with others, and continuing lives of humility towers above any ritualistic demands of past or current ages. The scripture passage presents us with a call to live fully and faithfully in covenant with God as we bring about healing and justice for others. It is the highest calling to which we can aspire and requires us to sacrifice our self-interests so we may bless and uplift others.

Faith Unfiltered Podcast

Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

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Central Ideas

1. Although God’s people—including us—have been faithless, God remains faithful.
2. Over and over, God has acted to save and redeem humankind—to heal the gap between what ought to be and the reality that human beings have created.
3. God is not interested in empty ritual and thoughtless worship. God requires justice, an attitude of mercy, and kindness toward all people.
4. God calls us to live fully and faithfully in covenant relationship with one another and with God.

Questions to Consider

1. How would our congregations change if everyone who gathered was fully prepared to thoughtfully worship in a covenantal manner?
2. What kinds of societal demands and influences prevent us from being in righteous relationships with one another? With God? How can we change those negative influences?
3. What personal sacrifices are you prepared to make to improve your relationships within your family? Within your congregation? Within the community where you live?