On 7-19-15, Micah 6:3-8 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Justice, Love and Humility or What the Lord Requires

Justice, Love and Humility

 or 

What the Lord Requires

Micah 6:3-8

July 19, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

While in Micah recently we have looked at Israel, our leaders, our church and ourselves.  We have pointed out the scriptures that were given to us and realized that these things can serve as examples and indeed warnings to us.

This week is not complicated as we continue.  We can see that a case was being laid out then almost as if in a court room and again we can carry this over to today.

God reminds us when we think we are burdened such as is mentioned in verse 3 and 4 that we too are not burdened when you see that like Israel was redeemed from slavery we are redeemed from the slavery of sin.

He wanted Israel to remember this redemption as we should.  In remembrance did He want them to exalt Him?  Did He want them to bring Him “burnt offerings, with calves a year old?”  Did He want “thousands of rams,” or “ten thousand rivers of oil”?  How about a first born child?

These were acts and to prove that they were merely so He used the exaggeration of the thousands and the offering of a child.

God is not pleased with acts no matter how many are done when they are merely symbolism over substance.  This holds true whether it is burnt offerings or attendance and participation at church.

What also holds true is what He does want and this can be found in today’s verse 8, “He has showed you, O man, 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.”  

And that is substance over symbolism, living the life we profess, walking the walk and not just talking the talk.

For Discussion:

1. Read all of James
2. Discuss the trap of thinking our acts are sufficient
3. Discuss the the true desire that we can have to do things and the difference that exists when it is substantive 
4. Discuss examples from life of acting justly
5. Discuss examples from life of showing mercy
6. Discuss walking humbly with God

Upcoming Lessons

July 26     God Shows Clemency or God’s Matchless Mercy     Micah 7:14-20

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved