Mic 6:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mic 6:1-16: 6:1-16 The Lord presented, argued, and decided the case against his rebellious people, Israel. This section is formally presented as a legal court case (cp. Isa 1:2-4 ; Jer 2:4-9 ; Hos 4 ). Using the scenario of the courtroom, the Lord challenged his people to state their case against him, for he had a case against them (Mic 6:1-5 )—they had not fulfilled his requirements (6:6-8 ), so they were guilty (6:9-12 ). The guilty verdict is followed by Israel’s sentencing (6:13-16 ). Summary for Mic 6:1-2: 6:1-2 mountains and hills: All creation is called as a witness (cp. Josh 24:27 ); in other ancient Near Eastern treaties, the gods of the respective countries were called as witnesses.

Summary for Mic 6:1-16: 6:1-16 ^a The Lord presented, argued, and decided the case against his rebellious people, Israel. This section is formally presented as a legal court case (cp. Isa 1:2-4 ^b; Jer 2:4-9 ^c; Hos 4 ^d). Using the scenario of the courtroom, the Lord challenged his people to state their case against him, for he had a case against them (Mic 6:1-5 ^e)—they had not fulfilled his requirements (6:6-8 ^f), so they were guilty (6:9-12 ^g). The guilty verdict is followed by Israel’s sentencing (6:13-16 ^h).
Summary for Mic 6:1-2: 6:1-2 ⁱ mountains and hills: All creation is called as a witness (cp. Josh 24:27 ^j); in other ancient Near Eastern treaties, the gods of the respective countries were called as witnesses.
6:3 ^k tired of me: The Lord asks rhetorically if he has done something to turn Israel away from him. But their contempt for God arose from their own ingratitude (6:4-5 ^l).
Summary for Mic 6:4-5: 6:4-5 ^m The Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt and had preserved them and blessed them throughout their journey to the Promised Land. God encouraged and warned Israel always to remember what he had done for them from Sinai onward (Exod 3:15 ⁿ; Deut 5:15 ^o; Pss 77:11 ^p; 111:4 ^q; see also Pss 78 ^r, 136 ^s).

• Balak ... Balaam: (see Num 22–24 ^t).

• Acacia Grove, located on the east of the Jordan River, was Israel’s base camp before entering the Promised Land (see Num 25:1 ^u; Josh 2:1 ^v; 3:1 ^w). The trip from there to Gilgal (west of the Jordan River) bears witness to God’s covenant faithfulness. God’s saving acts brought the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Summary for Mic 6:6-7: 6:6-7 ^x Israel’s case was hopeless, but they queried the Lord as to how they could placate or please him. The proffered items are listed in a crescendo of significance, from calves to rams and olive oil to firstborn children. None of this was sufficient or acceptable to God, who judges the heart (1 Sam 15:22 ^y; 16:7 ^z; Jer 17:9 ^aa).
6:8 ^ab Good means what is right in God’s eyes; God is the source of all goodness (Gen 1 ^ac; Exod 33:19 ^ad; 34:6-7 ^ae; Deut 12:28 ^af).

• what is right (Hebrew mishpat, often translated “justice”): God’s order in the world requires treatment of others in fair, non-manipulative, non-oppressive ways.

• mercy (Hebrew khesed): This passionate, undeserved loyalty is the defining quality in God’s holy character (see Ps 136 ^ag). Those who know God will act in the same way toward others (see Gen 21:22-24 ^ah; Josh 2:12-14 ^ai; Matt 5:43-48 ^aj).

• walk humbly: Humility must characterize God’s people. They must not live in a spirit of arrogance or special privilege. They must be humble and reverently fear God. Mishpat and khesed are incompatible with human arrogance. God desires us to be in an ongoing intimate relationship with him (a “walk”; cp. Deut 28:9 ^ak; Josh 22:5 ^al) that transforms the way we relate to other people.