MICAH CHAPTER 6: Justice Language 

Micah 6 begins in verses 1-2 with good solid legal language: 

Verse 1: “Arise” “to stand” = [Hebrew: quwm]  

Verse 1: “contend” “plead” “conduct a legal case” = [Hebrew: riyb] 

Verse 2: “legal quarrel” “case at law” = [Hebrew: riyb] 

Verse 2: “decide a case” = [Hebrew: yakach] 

We would call this justice language.  The people are not following Him and yet God asks rhetorical questions that leads them to see that they not only broke the Law but they also broke God’s heart.  It is the rhetorical questions that show the heart of God.   

In verse 3, God answers His own question: What more do you want? I’ve done all for you that I can. 

God comes to the People of Israel stating they have not acted as the People of God.  They have failed in bowing before the Lord and in burnt offerings, verse 6.  Also, in sacrificing children they have failed, verse 7.  In all aspects of goodness, they have failed, verse 8. 

They have left justice behind. 

They have left kindness behind. 

They have left humbleness behind. 

As a result of leaving God behind, God will visit on the People of Israel desolation and destruction and will remove His hand of blessing.  He will not let the sins of wicked rich men or unbalanced scales (verses 11-12) prevail without consequence.  While it is absolutely true that chapter 6 in Micah is attached to chapter 7, we should not skip over the dedication to evil and the results of that dedication. 

Justice language is prevalent in this chapter and must be noticed.

THE POINT 

The point is that we already know what God requires and to do that we have to get ourselves out of the way.  Our sinful selves need to be put away and trust fully in God Almighty. Our human perspective is often that evil prevails or that bad folk get away with being bad. Tis not true. YHWH is a God of justice and justice will be done.   

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