The Lord’s Case Against Israel: Micah 6:1-8

Justice. Mercy. Humility. Do. Love. Walk.

Over the seven years that I have been hosting this Creation Justice blog, the scripture verse that has appeared far more than any other is Micah 6:8. I think of it as a six word formula for living the good life: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly (with God). It is most definitely one of those verses that can stand alone on its own.

But today on the fourth Sunday after Epiphany, the lectionary reading from the Old Testament, Micah 6:1-8, gives us the full story that leads up to the prophet’s call for justice, mercy and humility. It is the story of an ancient courtroom drama between Yahweh and a covenant people who have failed to keep their part of the social contract between them and their creating, delivering and sustaining deity. As old a story as it may be, it remains relevant for the people of a nation claiming to be “under God” with “liberty and justice for all.”

To recount the tale of this ancient, yet contemporary, courtroom scene, I am providing a link to the sermon of Rev. Rebekah LeMon, She is eminently qualified as someone with both a legal and theological background to make this old, old courtroom case contemporary for we who see our nation in covenant with God. With that introduction, please be educated and inspired by her sermon, ”Be Humble Walking,” based on Micah 6:1-8:

 Listen to what the Lord says:

 “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
let the hills hear what you have to say. “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case against his people;
he is lodging a charge against Israel.

“My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you? Answer me.
I brought you up out of Egypt
and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
also Aaron and Miriam.

My people, remember
what Balak king of Moab plotted
and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.