Micah pleaded God’s case before the mountains and hills, the foundations of the earth that witnessed God’s history unfold. Israel had turned away from God. She forgot about God’s hand of salvation to free them from slavery and oppression and form a nation out of the remnant that survived 40 years in the wilderness.

God has shown what he requires of his people. It is not extravagant sacrifices, offerings or rituals. It is simple, yet profound: to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (8). This is the essence of what God desires of us.

Israel lost sight of God’s calling and became a nation of ill-gotten treasures. While there may have been a façade of religiosity, underlying it was wickedness, deceit and violence. There was no justice or mercy for the weary and oppressed, and no fear of God. So God was giving them over to ruin.
Application: Lord, help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you.
One Word: Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly