Micah 6:1-8

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” vs. 8

Micah imagines a controversy between Israel and the Lord which has come to trial. In spite of all the Lord had done for Israel, the people had been faithless and wearisome in return. After hearing the charges, Israel wonders what should have been done and what would have been pleasing to the Lord. It’s an interesting question and one that is sometimes asked of our political leaders. Is God pleased with what you have been doing? Is the Lord pleased with your record? In Micah’s account of the trial the Lord is baffled that Israel doesn’t seem to know. Micah believed that there was no doubt about what was pleasing to the Lord. His answer sums up the whole of the prophetic message to Israel. There is no mystery about what is good, “and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” So if this defines what is pleasing to the Lord, how do our leaders measure up? Now it could be that some believe that they are doing justice, but we see few indications of kindness and humility. What’s more likely is that few really even care if they’re pleasing God. They seem more interested in riches and power, and in their estimation those are the only measurements that count.

Thought for the Day: Who are politicians most interested in pleasing?