Do the Right Thing

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the LORD require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NKJV)

Thinking about the major and minor prophets is another Bible study topic which tends to glaze over the eyes of many believers. While it can be daunting, there are many tools and resources which can help. Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and prophesied to Judah during the reign of Jotham, a good king, as you can see in an example chart (Bible Gateway) linked here – https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2017/07/updated-chart-of-israels-and-judahs-kings-and-prophets/amp/.

This proclamation of God through Micah is echoed several other times in scripture where similar requirements were set out for Israel and Judah (Deut.. 10:12; I Sam. 15:22-23; and Hosea 6:6 and 12:6). Time and again, God showed His people 1) what is good and 2) what He requires of us. Paul would go on to argue later that these requirements are by nature written on our hearts, even without direct revelation (Rom. 2:12-16).

When challenged on adherence to the Law, Jesus said all the Law and Prophets can be wrapped up in (paraphrased), “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:37–40) Those two basic precepts find clarity in these three instructions; when we 1) do justly; 2) love mercy; and 3) walk humbly with our God, we fulfill His mandate.

If we consider each situation we encounter with these three results in mind, it will be hard to go astray. In our daily lives, that means do right by others (act with justice), be forgiving to others (extend mercy to all) and submit to God and His ways in all you do (humble yourself before Him).

No deeds beyond this will gain me favor with God. This is what He requires of me and what I can and will do, with the Holy Spirit’s help. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 NKJV) Rather than worrying about what we shouldn’t do, let’s focus on what we should and the rest will take care of itself.

Related scriptures

“. . . He has shown you, O man, what is good

And what does the Lord require of you . . .”

““And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,” (Deuteronomy 10:12 NKJV)

“So Samuel said:

‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

As in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,

And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,

He also has rejected you from being king.’” (I Samuel 15:22-23 NKJV)

“‘For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,

And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.’” (Hosea 6:6 NKJV)

“So you, by the help of your God, return;

Observe mercy and justice,

And wait on your God continually.” (Hosea 12:6 NKJV)

“. . . But to do justly,”

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God . . .”

“‘For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.’” (Genesis 18:19 NKJV)

“‘Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil, Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor;

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:16-17 NKJV)