Wednesday: What Is Good
In the beginning of Micah 6, God dialogues with His people, listing all the things that He has done on their behalf.
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
In response, the worshiper who comes into the temple asks what he might do to please God. What is it that constitutes an acceptable offering: year-old calves, a multitude of rams, rivers of oil, or even the worshiper’s firstborn child? There is a steady progression of the size and value of the offerings listed in this text.
Read Micah 6:1-8. What crucial truth is being taught here? Why is this especially important for us, as Seventh-day Adventists? What does this tell us about how truth is more than just correct doctrine and detailed understanding of prophecy? See Matt. 23:23.
The prophet declares that God already has revealed what He wants. Through the teachings of Moses, the people knew what God had graciously done for them (Deut. 10:12-13). Micah’s answer was not a new revelation that signaled a change in God’s requirements. Sacrifices and priestly services were not God’s first concern. God’s supreme wish is to have a people who act in justice toward their neighbors, with consistent devotion and love toward the Lord. The most extravagant offering that people can give to God is obedience.
Micah 6:8 is the most succinct statement of God’s will for His people. It summarizes all prophetic teachings on true religion: a life displaying justice, mercy, and a close walk with God. Justice is something that people do when prompted by God’s Spirit. It has to do with fairness and equality for all, especially the weak and powerless who are exploited by others. Kindness means to freely and willingly show love, loyalty and faithfulness to others. Walking with God means to put God first and to live in conformity with His will.
Why is it easier to keep the Sabbath strictly than it is to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God?
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Comitment to obedience is our solemn testimony to God. Obedience is our first calling. Even mission is second. To keep sabbath strictly is not to be strict in prohibitions in time but to call God's day a pleasant day a day of holy assembly; to spend it in unity without burdens and strife. Isa 58.
Love God. Love people. Profoundly simple. No measure of gifting can make us right with God. Only Jesus does. Loving obedience to God must mean a life that shows His justice and mercy to all.
If we are to have justice and mercy embeded in our hearts automatically, we have become an obedient people
In answer to the last question, Sabbath is one day a week, an outward sign unto who we recognize as Lord. Justice, mercy and humility is sacrifice of the heart, mind and soul. It must be done daily, hourly, minute-by-minute and second-by-second, (for evil temptation does not sleep.) It is an inward recognition of the Lord. The only outward display is the fruit we bear by our "sacrifice of self" to God. It is harder to stay consistent when sometimes the reward is not seen visibly but waited upon 'til this time of trouble is closed. May God have mercy on my soul and help me to set my mind to follow Him closely in all things.
God proved his excelling love for the world by giving His son.'s life, our ultimate love can be shown through loving obedience at any cost. If we surrender our wills to Him we can abide in Him as He invites to so His original and eternal plan for the world be known and seen. May God help us all.
It seems to me that Micah 6:8 and the love chapter found in 1 Corinthians 13 go together. We can perform all sorts of sacrifices for God and they will not satisfy Him or us. Love as shown in our deeds, our mercy to others and our humble walking with God day by day is what we need. This miracle of love in our hearts we can choose and God can empower us to live!
The one thing that has really stood out for me in this lesson is view of obedience as a sacrifice... along the same/similar lines as all other types of sacrifices in bible times
Obedience is the only human sacrifice that substituted the animal sacrifice. Therefore, in response of Jesus' love, we need to be obedient, kind, merciful and loving to others. That is what it means to do good.