Blueprint for an incarnational life (2)

Before we can dive into the particulars of Micah 6:8, we must first understand the context in which these words are spoken. Micah’s prophetic work took place during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in Judah. The first and third were Godly kings, the second evil. It was during this time that Israel (i.e. the northern kingdom) was overthrown by the Assyrians and the Jews there were carried away and forced to settle throughout the Assyrian empire.

Micah gives a series of warning oracles, prophesying of coming destruction. But it is not all doom and gloom. In Micah 5, we see that a ruler and deliverer with come out of Bethlehem. But in the meantime, Israel has been handed over to her enemies.

Micah 6 begins with God accusing his people of falling short, despite all that he had done for them. There are then a series of questions about what would be required to restore fellowship with God, to which Micah 6:8 is the conclusion: “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”

Unfortunately, Israel has failed to do this, and as a result will be (and has been) severely punished. But there is hope! In 7:9 we learn that God will bring Israel “out into the light.” And ultimately, there will be rejoicing as Micah states, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

On this Easter Sunday, how encouraging it is to read these words of hope, knowing that in the death and resurrection of Jesus God "had compassion on us" and now "tread[s] our sins underfoot and hurl[s] all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." What a mighty God we serve!