With What Shall I Come to the Lord?

Micah 6:1-8

Introduction

• The question posed by Micah is fundamental.
• It is a “must get right” question!
• A number of verses will be instructive in arriving at an answer: Micah 6:1-16 Isaiah 1:10-17; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Matthew 9:13; 12:7; Psalm 51:15-17.
• Micah’s name means, “Who is like Yahweh?”  Answering the question posed by our lesson’s title will answer the question suggested by the prophet’s name.

Considerations

The Liberal Approach: Intentions are all that really matter, almost anything excused by “meaning well,” orchestrated love, political correctness.

The Traditionalist’s Approach: Talking AT rather than WITH, more interested in being right than in doing right or in expressing rightness in helping others.

Both attempt to compensate for a lack of worth and “prove” self-righteousness.

But Life is not about Self-righteousness

Fay Vincent (former baseball commissioner) Quote:

Baseball teaches…how to deal with failure. We learn at a very young age that failure is the norm in baseball and, precisely because we have failed, we hold in high regard those who fail less often – those who hit safely in one out of three chances and become star players. I also find it fascinating that baseball, alone in sport, considers errors to be part of the game, part of its rigorous truth.

Substitute the word “Christianity” for “baseball” in Vincent’s statement and think again about the matter of Anxious Perfectionism.[1][1]

 Life is about our responsiveness to the one who makes righteous (John 14:15, 23; I John 1:7-9).

Love

Bha, 'ahab, hbha ‘ahabah (Hebrew)

NAS Word Usage - Total: 217

Beloved 1, dearly love 1, friend 5, friends 6, love 88, loved 53,

lover 1, lovers 16, loves 42, loving 2, show your love 1, shows love 1

"Many waters cannot quench love rivers cannot wash it away …" (Song of Solomon 8:7; cf. Genesis 29:20; Deuteronomy 7:8; Jeremiah 31:3).

Mercy/Kindness

Dsox, chesed (Hebrew)

NAS Word Usage - Total 247

Deeds of devotion 2, devotion 1, devout 1, faithfulness 1, favor 2, good 1, kindly 7, kindness 32, kindnesses 1, loveliness 1, lovingkindness 176, lovingkindnesses 7, loyal deeds 1, loyalty 6, mercies 1, merciful 2, mercy 1, righteousness 1, unchanging love 2

Mercy means to show kindness to others. God shows kindness (hesed) to Lot when saves him from the destruction Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:19). Ruth shows kindness (hesed) to Boaz by caring for him (Ruth 3:10). Hesed is a practical part of human relationships (see David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:8).

eleoß,  eleos (Greek)

NAS Word Usage - Total: 27

Compassion 2, mercy 25

What is interesting in Micah 6:8 is that we are not told, "What the Lord requires of you … is that, when pushed into a corner, show mercy …" But rather, "Love mercy …"  The Jewish lawyer who questioned Jesus about the identity of his neighbor (Luke 10:25-37) wanted to avoid “loving mercy.”  But Jesus said, "Go and do."

Justice

tpXm, mishpat (Hebrew)

NAS Word Usage - Total: 419

Arrangements 1, case 5, case* 1, cause 7, charge 1, claim 1, court 2, crimes 1, custom 11, customs 2, decide 1, decision 2, decisions 1, deserving 1, destruction 1, due 1, injustice* 2, judge 1, judged 1, judgment 62, judgments 40, just 4, justice 118, justly 3, kind 1, manner 3, matters of justice 1, mode of life 1, order 1, ordinance 29, ordinances 79, plan 1, plans 1, practice 1, procedure 4, properly 2, regulation 1, right 8, rightful place 1, rights 2, rule 1, sentence 2, sentenced 1, standard 1, trial 1, unjustly* 1, verdict 1, way prescribed 2, what is right 2, worthy 1

dikaioß,  dikaios (Greek)

NAS Word Usage - Total: 79

Innocent 1, just 6, justice 1, right 7, righteous 48, righteous man 8, righteous man's 1, righteous men 1, righteous one 4, righteous person 1, righteous persons 1

Walking with God

What does it mean to "walk with God”? Echoing Deuteronomy 10:12-17 God invites us to walk with Him. It doesn’t matter where we’re going or what we will encounter. It matters that we’re going together. It’s an invitation to a journey (cf. Genesis 2:8).

Walking "Humbly" with God

[nc (t)sana`(Hebrew)

NAS Word Usage - Total: 1

Humbly 1

Micah 6:8 does not simply say "walk with God;" it says "walk humbly with God." The Hebrew word "humbly" (t)sana’ occurs only in this verse. As people have tried to translate it into English they have come up with words like: "modestly," "circumspectly," "guardedly," "carefully," "advisedly," "sensibly," "reflectively," "prudently," and "with discernment."

Further, "Do you walk (t)sana’ with God?" That is, do you walk more eager to listen than to talk? Do you walk more anxious to learn than to explain yourself? Do you walk more interested in God’s wisdom and words than in airing your complaints and questions?

Conclusion

• Who is like Jehovah?
• Those who love mercy, practice justice and, to walk humbly with their God.
• Such people know the kind of hearts God receives.