Outline:
A. An indictment by the Lord (6:1–5)
B. The response of Micah for the nation (6:6–8)
Ob and In:
1. God allows Israel to defend like a defendant in a case. God is not a tyranny v.1. He Himself will also present His accusation before the jury and give the supportive evidences v.2-5.
2. What is the heart of Israel's covenant God in v.3?
My people, how have I wronged you?
How have I wearied you? Answer me!
wrong=(NET) Heb “My people, what have I done to you?”
wearied=(BDB) exhaust, (CHALT) make s.one tired, weary Is 7:13; think s.one powerless, incapable
Possible interpretations: (1) They thought God had done something to make them exhaust or tired. (2) Or God had done something to make them think that God was powerless and incapable. (3) Or God had not done anything to make them think that God was powerful and capable.
3. Supportive evidence from God v.4-5
a. What God had done to Israel
I brought you up
I delivered you
I sent you... before you (to lead you)
b. What did God want Israel to do?
Remember how...planned to harm you...how Balaam...responded to him
Summary: God had done nothing to make their tire. Instead, He was the first one to establish their nation, to save them from slavery and to provide the leaders for them. He is good to them. In contrast other nations has planned to harm them and tried to stop them from coming to the Promised Land. God had given them the miraculous victories.
v.5b so you might acknowledge that the LORD has treated you fairly.”
fairly=(BDB) righteous acts
Put both 2 and 3 together, I chose to interpret with (1).They thought God had done something to make them exhaust or tired, therefore, God listed what He had done was not to make them tired, but to deliver them and treated them with righteous acts. The case has ended without the verdict. The fact is clear that Israel should not act the way they did.
Reflections: Can my behavior measure up to what God had done to me? Do I treat God fairly? What shall I remember about the goodness of God? About His deliverance and undeserved grace?
4. The respond of the prophet:
(EBC) The recital of Israel’s history suddenly ended, and the prophet was heard speaking—in terse, abrupt words that somehow created a feeling of rapid movement and tension. Micah spoke, but it was as though he spoke on behalf of the people as they asked what their responsibility was in the light of God’s faithfulness to the covenant.
(BKC) He asked those rhetorical questions to suggest to Israel that nothing—not even the most extreme sacrifice—could atone for what she had done
v.8 He wants you to carry out (NET) Heb “to do,” in the sense of “promote”justice, to love faithfulness, חֶ֫סֶד and to live obediently inf abs with inf (BDB) a making humble to walk = shewing a humble walk (with God) before your God. (BDB) live (‘walk’), in general...walk with (אֶת, עִם) i.e. associate, be familiar with
To live humbly associate with God or be familiar with God belongs to a bigger area than the other 2. Perhaps the last phrase is a summary and the details in the first 2 phrases: not just to do justice, but to promote it, not just to enjoy the mercy or loyal love from God but to love that love.
Reflection: Am I eager to come to atone to what I had done? If yes, do I handle it with an external "quick fix"? Or am I willing to examine my life, and want to do a thorough examination of how I walk with God? How I get familiar to Him and humbly receiving His teaching to conduct my life like Him? Then I will promote what He will promote and love the way He loves the people. Do I promote justice? Do I love the mercy of God?
Comments