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Micah 6

16 verses

TL;DR

Micah 6 declares God’s judgment on Israel’s corruption while calling for repentance through justice, mercy, and humility.

Summary

Micah 6 opens with a dramatic proclamation that God will confront His people and plead with Israel, reminding them of His faithfulness in delivering them from Egypt and giving Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The prophet questions the adequacy of outward sacrifices—burnt offerings, rams, and the firstborn—highlighting that true obedience requires doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly. He condemns the wickedness of the rich and corrupt, describing their deceitful practices and violence. The passage foresees divine punishment: sickness, desolation, and loss of resources such as food, wine, and oil, as a consequence of the people's sinful ways. Micah references the tyrannical reigns of Omri and Ahab, suggesting that the people's adherence to their idolatrous counsel will bring them ruin and reproach.

Outline
  1. God’s proclamation of judgment and remembrance of His deliverance
  2. Critique of empty sacrifices versus true righteousness, mercy, and humility
  3. Condemnation of the wicked and prediction of desolation and reproach
Themes
Divine judgment against corruptionThe necessity of genuine righteousness and mercyThe futility of empty sacrifices
Keywords
contendcontroversyjusticemercyhumilityburnt offeringsdeceitdesolationreproach
People
the LORDIsraelMosesAaronMiriamBalakBalaamOmriAhab
Places
MountainsHillsEgyptShittimGilgalthe citythe house of Ahab
Things
burnt offeringscalves of a year oldramsoilfirstbornjusticemercyhumilitysacrificedeceitful weights
Key Verses
  • Micah 6:8: Summarizes God's covenant requirement: justice, mercy, and humility.
  • Micah 6:13: Declares the imminent divine punishment of sickness and desolation.
  • Micah 6:16: Concludes with the threat of desolation due to the people’s adherence to corrupt leaders.
Questions
  • What does Micah mean by saying God will ‘contend’ before the mountains?
  • How does the prophet distinguish between outward sacrifices and genuine obedience?
  • What lessons can modern readers draw from Micah’s warning against the corrupt practices of the rich?
  • In what ways does Micah link Israel’s judgment to the reigns of Omri and Ahab?
  • How does Micah’s message of judgment coexist with his call to repentance?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter focuses on judgment and punishment, though it contains a call to repentance.