9.21 Micah 6-7

Bill Sanders

9.21.2020

Micah 6-7

Summary: these chapters are an exchange between three parties: God, Israel (Judah) and Micah. God is pleading with Israel, reminding them of all He has done for them. Punishment is still due for their sin; however, God will forgive them. Israel is sorrowful for their sin, they confess and find comfort in God’s forgiveness. Micah is in the middle, acting a mediator.  He reminds Israel where they missed the mark: they showed outward religious acts, but they had no heart towards God. 

Key Verse: Micah 6:8. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

How does what you read change your vision of God?

Reading this, I get the impression God had an eye towards redeeming the other nations too. This was evidenced by Israel’s punishment, forgiveness and protection (Ch. 7:16-18) “the nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might,” and “they shall be afraid of the Lord our God and shall fear because of You.” Through Israel’s punishment, forgiveness and God’s protection, the other nations witness God’s power and realize they are powerless in comparison. They would fear God. Ultimately, God would fulfill His work to other nations through Jesus Christ. 

How does what you read change your vision of others/yourself? In chapter 7:19 it says “He will again have compassion on us and subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” The Lord’s Prayer, reminds us that as God forgives our trespasses, so should we forgive our neighbors. This analogy of casting sins into the depths of the sea is a great visual for how we should handle the wrongs our neighbors can commit against us.

How will you go with God because of this reading? These chapters were a reminder that we can fall into the trap of practicing these outward religious activities, but can miss the point. They are hollow if we don’t do what is good. If we don’t do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. 

Where do you see Jesus in these chapters?  I can see the Salvation story in these verses. Jesus lived by chapter 6:8 perfectly. Jesus, acting justly, never sinned; He knew there was a sacrifice for our sin, so, He took our place, mercy. And He walked humbling with God throughout.