The question sounds innocent enough -- a valid question -- a soul-searching one: “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God?” (Micah 6:6) Not too fast, however…

Micah was a prophet to both Israel and Judah during a time of tremendous moral decline. God’s people had turned to images and totem poles for their deliverance and insight (1:5-7). Some of the people were so wicked that at night they would “work out evil on their beds” and then implement their depraved schemings when the light of each morning broke. Some coveted and stole their neighbor’s property just because they had the power to do so (2:1-2). And these weren’t isolated cases, either. The “heads” and rulers are described as those “who hate good and love evil; who strip the skin from My people, and the flesh from their bones” (3:1-3). Not even the spiritual leaders were above such corruption, with priests and prophets teaching whatever brought them the most money (3:11). Truly Micah, one “full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, and of justice,” was a rare exception (3:8).

In chapter six of Micah’s prophecy the LORD is pictured as bringing a lawsuit against His people (vss. 1-5). With the hills and mountains called upon to listen, the LORD indicts His people for their treachery and asks, “O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me.”

The people’s response is pathetic. Look at it closely: “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” (6:6-7).

When a people somehow think that they can absolve themselves of and make up for their sins by throwing sacrificial offerings at the Lord, their thought process has been severely twisted. Such was the case with Israel and Judah.

Listen to God’s response: “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?” (6:8)

We fear that too many so-called disciples today reason much like Israel of Micah’s day, thinking they can lie and cheat at work, rail against and abuse their families at home, and fuss and fight with their brethren in the local church -- “But, if I read my Bible every day, and give twenty percent of my income into the collection, and pray regularly, and attend all of the worship assemblies, then God will be pleased and forgive all the rest.” Such is perverted thinking, and we are convinced that a divine lawsuit will be brought against such before the court of Jesus some day (Matthew 25:31-46).

The truth of the matter is, God still requires His people to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him -- at work, at home, at school, at the local worship assembly, at the grocery store, at the restaurant, on vacation -- everywhere! (If you don’t think so, carefully read Ephesians 4:25-6:20 or Colossians 3:1-4:6.)

“But doesn’t the Lord want me to read my Bible, give of my means, and worship regularly?” someone asks. Yes, He does. But He wants such acts of devotion to come from hearts that are truly (entirely) devoted to Him (Matthew 22:36-39).

He wants you, and He wants me.