What God Expects From Us: An Exegetical Project on Micah 6:1-8

What God Expects From US: An Exegetical Project on Micah 6:1-8
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Table of Contents

Introduction. 1

Translation. 1

Context and Commentary of Micah 6:1-8. 2

Context 2

Commentary. 2

a.     Micah 6:1-2: Controversy between Yahweh and His people. 2

b.     MICAH 6:3-5. Righteous Acts Of Yahweh. 3

c.     MICAH 6:6-7. Ways to come before God. 3

d. MICAH 6:8. Lord’s Requirements of Us?. 4

Exposition: Sermon manuscript on Walking with God:Micah 6:1-8. 4

Bibliographys. 5

Introduction
Justice remains a key moral and political concept, not just today, but even before Christ. In our contemporary court systems, we often encounter people pursuing justice even those who consciously know they committed the said crime, and often times, some of the most contentious allegations in these courts get adjudicated by the court, all the time citing legal grounds. But the critical question is “why do people seek justice and mercy, but rarely demand for a merciful savior or a righteous judge?” During the turbulent times of the Assyrian superpower, Micah delivered a prophecy that was directed to Israel and Judah, primarily Jerusalem and Samaria. In his divine message, Micah challenges them to account for all their actions for they had violated the covenant of God. Unlike the contemporary court cases, which often bend the Christian theories of justice, Micah’s 6:1-8 presents a unique court session, well drafted akin to a judicial case format. In this exegenesis, I explore the theological dimensions of Micah’s words, shading more light on matters mercy, justice, and humility. The deep exploration of Micah 6:1-8, creates room for understanding the interconnectedness of divine expectations and human responsibility, while creating relevance among contemporary Christian followers.[Watson, Paul. “Form Criticism and an Exegesis of Micah 6:1-8,” Restoration Quarterly 7, no. 1-2, (1963): 61-72.]
Translation
Close observation of the Micah 6:1-8, shows that while the translations vary slightly in wording, the message conveyed is similar across different versions namely the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), English Standard Version (ESV), King James Version (KJV), The Message Bible (MSG), New American Standard Bible (NASB), New International Version (NIV), New King James Version (NKJV), New Living Translation (NLT), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), and American Standard Version (ASV). In the analysis of verse two across the stated bible versions, the message remains consistently clear across the different translations. Ideally, different word variations are a reflection of difference in translation styles and word choice, rather than difference in word meaning. It stands out that the key theme is that God is calling foundations of the earth and the mountains to stand as witnesses of His case against the people of Israel. Notably, the Hebrew word "רִיב" (riḇ) appears to have been translated consistently in a judicial...