Sunday, October 12, 2014

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Micah 6:1-8

I read Micah 6:1-8 and I am immediately struck with the wonderful sounds of the language. Even in translation, the structure of Hebrew poetry is revealed. An image is presented; then repeated in a variation of words. It’s like a musical phrase played by violins, then repeated by the horns. I never tire of these beautiful images, paired, as they are, to resonate with and underline each other.

“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.”

But Micah 6 is more than just powerful poetry. It is an honest indictment of God’s wayward people.  In this first half of the chapter, God calls Micah to stand in court and make the case against his people for their sins. So many passages throughout the Old Testament take on the language and images of a courtroom. Israel is usually the Defendant. God is the Judge and the Psalmist or Prophet is the Prosecutor. But the language of Micah 6:1-8 has much more compassion and love. This is not the language of an angry vengeful god, but more of a heartsick loving father.

“My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.”

In verses 4-5 God, through Micah reminds the people of all the many times he has saved and rescued them, out of love. They are reminded of their rescue from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1-15); the leadership of Moses, Aaron and Miriam (Exodus 15:20-21); deliverance from hostile kings on the way (Numbers 22-24) and their final move into the promised land (Joshua 2:1; 3:1; 4:19; 5:19). 

Why is all this done? “… that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” 

Verses 6-7 ask the question we all ask: “With what shall I come before the Lord?” 

The usual offerings are suggested. Note how the list escalates almost sarcastically as it builds up: bowing down, burnt offerings, yearling calves, thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of olive oil. A firstborn son for the sin of one’s soul?

The heart of this passage follows, the often quoted verse 8:

“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.”

The Hebrew word for Justice does not imply, in spite of all these courtroom images, that the guilty are punished and the good rewarded. Justice in this context has a meaning closer to this: everyone will have their needs met. That said, we look at the second half of Micah 6 not as a list of all the horrid things an angry God will do to Israel if they are not merciful and just. It is a description of the consequences that must happen to a people who take the wrong path. It is the wise counsel of a father who warns his children that worship that merely costs them their material goods is not worship at all. All their goods will be taken away. As the prophet says in Verse 8: 

“He has shown you … what is good.”

In fact, acting with Justice, embracing an active love of Mercy and walking each day with Humility in step with the Creator, requires discipline and daily sacrifices of a personal, not a material nature.

I am reminded by this passage of the work in our community of those involved in Restorative Justice. They work with justice, mercy and humility every day.  Relationships are mended by professional mediation. Young offenders are set on a good path again. The members of families torn apart by violence, substance abuse and so many other tragic situations are returned to each other again. This kind of work and this kind of justice is an authentic living example of Verse 8. This is God’s work!

Like many prophets, Micah shakes us and points us away from forms of worship that will not please God and instead shows us a better, more active and creative path in our walk with God. According to Micah, God wants us, not our money and goods.

Peter Mansell October 5, 2014