Micah 6:8 WEBA He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah was a prophet at the same time as Isaiah. Hezekiah was king. His prophecies where for the southern kingdom of Judah as well as some for the northern kingdom and Gentile nations. As most prophets he often relayed God’s message against their sin and need to repent.
In Micah 6:1-6, Micah delivers God’s message of an appeal to the people God loves—Israel. God wants them to remember the past deliverances and blessings. Thus, God is showing His deep love for Israel.
Then the message communicates what can a person bring to pay the penalty for sin, because sacrifices do not. The sacrifices only provide a coverage, not forgiveness.
God, through the prophet, tells Israel what God requires—act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Act justly
B1 The Hebrews word for “justly” is מִשְׁפָּט mishpâṭ (H4941). It is a government word requiring it to give just and equal decisions. We all know how corruption works its way into the courtroom. TWOT has this entry: mishpāṭ, as justice, i.e. rightness rooted in God’s character, ought to be an attribute of man in general and of judicial process among them (Ps 106:37). Wise men speak it (Ps 37:30) and think it (Prov 12:5) and God requires it of them (Mic 6:8). The righteous enjoy it (Prov 21:15) and righteous magistrates employ it in judgment (Mic 3:1; cf. Prov 29:4). It is a word for the government but also for individuals. Justice is loved by the righteous but hated by the evil (Proverbs 21:15), evil people don’t understand justice or even want to (Proverbs 28:5), a righteous person respects the needs and rights of the poor (Proverbs 29:7), the person who perverts justice is cursed by God (Deuteronomy 27:19), and the wicked accept brides (Proverbs 27:23). The Bible gives some examples. See Jeremiah 22:3 and Psalm 82:3. Consider this example: Amos 8:5-8 GW You say to yourselves, “When will the New Moon Festival be over so that we can sell more grain? When will the day of worship be over so that we can sell more wheat? We can shrink the size of the bushel baskets, increase the cost, and cheat with dishonest scales. 6 We can buy the poor with money and the needy for a pair of sandals. We can sell the husks mixed in with the wheat.” 7 The LORD has sworn an oath by Jacob’s pride: “I will never forget anything that they have done.” 8 The land will tremble because of this. Everyone who lives in it will mourn. The entire land will rise like the Nile, be tossed about, and then sink like Egypt’s river.
Love mercy.
B1 The Hebrew word for love is אַהֲבָה ʼahăbâh (H160). This is the love of choice. It is the highest and greatest love. TWOT describes this love as: The noun ’ahăbâ describes the love of husband toward wife, as that of Jacob for Rachel (Gen 29:20). God’s “love” for his people is designated by the same word (Deut 7:8; II Chr 2:11; et al.). Jonathan’s affection for David is also ’ahăbâ (I Sam 18:3; 20:17; cf. II Sam 1:26).
B2 The Hebrew word for mercy is חֶסֶד cheçed (H2617). It means a love that shows compassion. See Psalm 109:26, Luke 6:36, and James 2:12-13.
B3 This is a character trait of dealing with others. It is a continuous attitude and action. It is for those who treat us nicely and for those who treat us cruelly. See Matthew 5:44.
Walk humbly. Walking is living one’s life daily is all we do—thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We are pleased that God is there watching and fellowshipping with us. Being humble is the opposite of pride. Instead of exalting our self, we take a more realistic view. An example, 2 Kings 22:18-20 CSB “Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD: ‘This is what the LORD God of Israel says:’ As for the words that you heard, 19 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I myself have heard—this is the LORD’s declaration. 20 Therefore, I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place.” Then they reported to the king.
We God’s assisting grace, we Christians, do what God requires, not for salvation for to honor our great God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.