• Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly, Micah 6:1-8, by Rev. Frank Schaefer (see below)

• Blessed Matthew 5:1-12, by Richard Gehring 

• Blessed Be, Matthew 5:1-12, by Rev. Randy L. Quinn  

• Walking Humbly, Micah 6:1-8, by Randy L Quinn 

• Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit, Matthew 5:1-12, Thomas Hall  

• Attitudes Pleasing to God,  Matthew 5:1-12, Sue in Cuba   

• With Your God, Micah 6:1-8, Pam in San Bernardino   

• God Will Remain Your Friend, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Phil Van Dam   

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Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
Micah 6:1-8
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

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.

This verse is arguably quoted more often in matters of peace and justice than any other. They are words to live by especially in times when we face corruption and discrimination.

The prophet Micah, who uttered these words, was a man of simple means and humble stock. Living in a largely rural area of the country, Micah had a strong concern for the lowly and less fortunate of society--the lame, the outcasts, and the afflicted (Micah 4:6).

Because of this concern, Micah addressed the evil of his time through his prophecy. He publicly opposed the powerful leaders of Samaria and Jerusalem, the capital cities of Israel and Judah. (1:1)

The injustice of his time was that strict religious laws made the rich richer and the poor poorer. In Israel. Keep in mind that Israel's government was a theocracy at that time, much like the state of Iran today. Religious leaders also held great political power and they were not elected officials. More often than not the kings and political leaders of Micah's time were serving their own interests at the expense of the already impoverished middle classes.

The Ostentatious temple operation required the middle and lower classes to pay heavy taxation. The farming community Micah was a part of, were required to send much of their livestock and harvest to keep the sacrificial atonement system going. This was the exact same problem Jesus faced. Nothing had changed in 700 years.

There is certainly a connection between Jesus' ministry and Micah's. Some scholars even suggest that Jesus stood in the prophetic line of Micah. Jesus declared that he had come to bring good news to the poor, the captives, the oppressed. Jesus also opposed the religious and socio-economic oppression that came from the leadership in Jerusalem.

Interestingly, Micah is the prophet who announced the birth of the messiah in Bethlehem: 'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.' Micah 5:2

Micah, like Jesus had such compassion for the oppressed that they challenged and opposed the corrupt leadership of their time even though they knew it would have grave consequences. But they both continued to proclaim the truth about the oppression and exploitation of the people making an appeal to God's love and compassion.

Micah was saying to the leaders in Jerusalem and Samaria: Do you think God is pleased with your temple sacrifice and a religion that takes advantage of people? No, but this is what God requires instead: 'to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God' [continue]