Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with God!

Micah, of Moresheth, was a prophet of social justice “in the days of Kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah."   He spoke “the word of the Lord” boldly to “Samaria and Jerusalem.”  (see Micah 1:1)  Micah spoke out against the oppression of common people by both political and religious leaders.  He was a contemporary of Isaiah and their prophecies seem quite similar.  However Micah, coming from a rural area, seemed to have a greater interest in the poor than Isaiah did.  

This week’s lectionary passage, Micah 6:1-8, echoes other portions of scripture that interpret God’s interest in who a person is rather than what a person does … in contemporary terms.    That message is highlighted in one of scripture’s most famous verses, Micah 6:8, through which God says “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?”

John Wesley, in his explanatory notes to the scriptures, unpacks this verse for us.  He says, “God has already told you with what you ought to come …

• To do justly - To render to everyone their due, superiors, equals, inferiors, to be equal to all, and oppress none, in body, goods or name; in all your dealings with men carry a chancery in your own beasts, and do according to equity.  
• To love mercy - To be kind, merciful and compassionate to all, not using severity towards any. 
• Walk humbly with thy God - Keep up a constant fellowship with God, by humble, holy faith.”

As sweet and easy as this verse sounds, I find God’s message through Micah’s words quite daunting.  What does justice and mercy look like today?  What does a humble, holy, and faithful life look like? 

When you are ready to lean into our passage for lectio divina and pray with me, take a few moments to center yourself by engaging in a simple breath prayer like this one (or one that emerges from within yourself) until you are focused on God.

Breathe in ... God of Justice and Mercy 

 Breathe out ... Let me Walk with You 

Then pray for illumination of the text:  God of Justice and Mercy, how often do I wander through life not certain which way to go?  You call me to rise, to listen, and to act on what I hear from you.  So be it.  Amen.

Step 1: Lectio/Reading … Reading
Read Micah 6:1-8 slowly and reverently, letting the words steep in your mind. Perhaps you might imagine yourself listening to a prophetic voice who knows God through his or her own deep prayer life.  Know that you can trust the person who speaks these words to you.  Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.  Gently focus on that word or phrase.  Repeat it several times and allow it to be sifted through your heart and mind all the way to your soul.

Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.  Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.  "O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me!  For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.  O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD."  "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"  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?

Step 2: Meditatio/Meditation … Receiving
Read the passage a 2nd time ...
Continue to focus on just a word or a phrase (it may be different on this reading)
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings the passage evokes within you.
What images emerge in your imagination?  What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you through the word or phrase you've been drawn to.
Listen for God’s voice deepening the message as you move through your day

Step 3: Oratio/Prayer … Responding
Consider any thoughts or feelings or desires that have been awakened.
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention.
Do not rush ... how are you drawn to respond to God?

Step 4: Contempatio/Contemplative Silence … Resting
Allow yourself to rest in the silence.
Allow your mind to settle into the silence.
Allow your heart and breathe with the silence.
When you feel the time to move on ... pray: 

God of Justice, Mercy, Mountains, and Hills ... speak to my heart and guide me as I listen to your voice and walk with you.  Amen.  

If music is a pathway for you, listen to "Walk Humbly with Your God" sung by Marilla Ness.