The Gospel In Micah

As I studied Micah 6:1-8 in preparation for the Sunday evening service, I have been struck by how the gospel is presented in the Old Testament prophecy of Micah.

God comes as if in a court of law to present His charge against His people. He calls on all of creation to serve as His witnesses.Creation can serve as His witness because it has indeed witnessed what God has done for His people.

God's first question is one that should search their hearts: "My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you?"  The people obviously feel that God has wronged them, rather than thinking of their obligation to God.  Sound familiar, doesn't it?  I suspect that many today think in terms of what God owes to them, or how God has supposedly wronged them.  After all, if we do good, say our prayers, and go to church once in a while, then God owes us, does he not?  Keep reading, particularly if you think in such a way.

As He drives this question into their hearts, God reminds them of things He has done for them: redeeming them from slavery, giving them godly leadership, and demonstrating that He longs to bless them, rather than curse them.

Having nothing to say in response, the people ask, "With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?"  They offer some possibilities: the choicest of offerings and of their possessions. If quality will not suffice, then may quantity: ten thousand rivers of oil. And if none of these will suffice, perhaps their own firstborn.

"What shall we bring before the Lord?" That is the question that must be answered. And the answer can still be given in the familiar words, "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."

Micah responds by saying, "He has shown 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."

Again, the most important question to be asked: "What does the Lord require of us?" 

Does Micah's answer say that we are accepted by God through our behavior?  Far from it, as the context reveals. Rather, the three matters of justice, mercy, and obedience to God demonstrate that we have embraced the gospel of God's grace and have entered into a covenant relationship with Him.

And that is the gospel as presented in Micah!