Storyline Commentary on Micah 6:6-8
Setting Micah is addressing Israel and confronting them as we would say in the country about the same ‘ol same ‘ol. The people of Israel keep doing the same thing over and over again.
Conflict Israel has impressed itself with its religious gatherings and assemblies while neglecting to take care of the fatherless, the widow, and the stranger. Power and land is the true way of the day but those in power have covered up this ill motive with spiritual rituals that mask the suffering happening outside of these circles.
Resolution Micah calls out those living this sort of life in Micah 6:6-8. You can’t live in a way that seems like life when those outside of it suffer. That’s not God’s way for people because that way leads to death, not life.
Application Loving your neighbor means acting justly and loving mercy and that’s a big umbrella. It doesn’t just cover those you call your own. It covers those you don’t call your own too. The fatherless, the widow, the stranger. And God doesn’t desire our sacrifices. God desires mercy. Our compassion towards others will always be greater worship than practicing rituals that make us feel good inside. And loving God means humbly walking with him. That means you’re willing to give yourself to God’s way of love–which is broader than any of would like to admit–instead of chasing power and success.
More Thoughts on Micah 6:6-8
Micah 6:8 is another way of saying Love God, Love People. It’s rooted in several other OT Prophets like Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah.
Act justly + love mercy = Loving your neighbor. These verses help define who your neighbor is too. I think it may be shocking for some Christian’s who love the phrase love God and love people without realizing some of the Old Testament roots of it all.
Walk humbly with your God = Loving God (Isaiah 29:19).