“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.”  Micah 6:8

The present economy has created uncertainty for many.  Those who are going through the process of re-defining their future employment often struggle with determining God’s will for their lives.  History has shown us that seasons of unrest and poverty often follow years of peace and prosperity. 

Such was the case in Micah’s day.  This prophet of God preceded our Lord and began his ministry about 735BC.  His “calling” was to help the nation of Israel turn its attention back to God.  The religious condition of Israel had become ominous.  The rich turned their backs on the Lord and began to emulate the life-styles of pagan nations.  When the peasant farmers found difficulty in producing the required luxury goods, the rich landowners took over their holdings and influenced court decisions by bribing the judges.  The unemployed farm workers then drifted to the cities seeking shelter.  For the first time in Hebrew history serious overcrowding threatened large settled areas, along with the squalor and disease that accompanied poverty.

Micah told the nation of Israel exactly what God desired from them. God did not want them to be related to Him in only a ritualistic way. God wanted them to be related inwardly—to obey Him because they desired to, not because it was a burden on them.

The prophet Micah stated God’s expectations clearly and concisely. 

“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.”  Micah 6:8

That relationship, which is good (beneficial), involves three things: that individuals (a) act justly (be fair in their dealings with others), (b) love mercy (carry through on their commitments to meet others needs), and (c) walk humbly with . . . God (fellowship with Him in modesty, without arrogance).

Doing justice, is a way of loving mercy, which in turn is a manifestation of walking humbly with God“  Many people in Micah’s day were not being just (Micah 2:1-2; 3:1-3; 6:11), or showing loyal love to those to whom they were supposed to be committed (2:8-9; 3:10-11; 6:12), or walking in humble fellowship with God (2:3).

I’m thankful that God speaks to us clearly. Ask His Spirit to help you obey these words this week.