What God Requires

WHAT GOD REQUIRES

…to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

We have mentioned that Willem Van Gemeren and other Old Testament scholars consider the prophets God’s covenant prosecutors. That being the case, Micah sets forth God’s covenant lawsuit in Micah 6:1-8. Micah calls God’s message “an indictment against His people” (6:2). I once served six months on a grand jury. I learned that an indictment was not the same as a conviction. The indictment simply determined if an accused was to be arraigned in court for trial.

In each indictment four things were to happen: The Attorney General called witnesses, interrogated the accused, recounted the facts of the case before the jury and reviewed the demands of the law. These four things are exactly what Micah does to Israel. First, he summons all creation to serve as witnesses and to verify both the justice and mercy of God as well as the sin of God’s people (6:1-2). He then interrogates Israel: What has God done wrong to cause Israel to forsake Him for other gods? (6:3). He gives the people an opportunity to respond and defend their actions. Next, he recounts for them God’s faithfulness to Israel––the facts of history (6:4-5). Finally, he reviews the demands of the Law (the Covenant) and what the Covenant required (6:6-8). His summary statement is found in what may be the most famous verse in the Minor Prophets. Please read Micah 6:8.

When Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as President of the United States on January 20, 1977, he referenced this verse in his inaugural address. The 39^th President reminded Americans of the core of our national covenant:

Within us, the people of the United States, there is evident a serious and purposeful rekindling of confidence. And I join in the hope that when my time as your President has ended, people might say this about our Nation: that we had remembered the words of Micah and renewed our search for humility, mercy, and justice.¹⁰

What are these three pillars of a godly life, a Gospel church and a good nation? “Do Justice.” The Hebrew word is mishpat. It points to the proper, fair and equitable use of power and authority, especially in the protection of the helpless and the care for the poor. “Love kindness.” The word hesed in Hebrew is usually rendered “lovingkindness” or “steadfast love.” It literally means Covenant love and loyalty. Here God commands us not only to be merciful to the needy but to be loyal to others. This has to do with fulfilling our duties to both God (Commandments 1-4) and to our neighbor (Commandments 5-10). “Walk humbly with your God.” In the prophetic literature, the humble are those who listen to God’s Word and obey. Humility is directly related to Truth. The humble person responds to truth; the proud argues, resists and resents the Truth.

Of course, Micah wrote to a theocratic nation, a people (Hebrews) whose nation (Israel) was one with their religion (Judaism). America is different. Nation and Church are independent of one another. But then, Micah uses precise words in his indictment: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you?” Micah speaks to “man”––mankind, humanity, all people in every state, in every place, in every time. This is what is “good” for all: Justice, Mercy and Truth. These are the three parameters of a good life, a godly church and a gracious society. Please read 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

What God requires begins with you as an individual. It becomes the core curriculum of your school of Christ––your family. It constitutes the official duties of your church: The Presbyterian Church in America and your local congregation. And it forms the basis for public life, common discourse and civic virtue in the State. This is not just the American Dream. This is more; it is the Prophetic Vision, and beyond that, it is God’s will for His creation. The indictment lies open before us. How then do we plead: Guilty or Not Guilty?

PRAYING FOR THE PCA

AC: The theme for the 2009 General Assembly is “Connecting PCA People, Churches and ministries. May all aspects of General Assembly serve to remind us of the privilege, responsibility and blessing of being “connected” to one another and the Body of Christ.

CTS: Pray that God will grant insight and discernment to Covenant Seminary’s Board of Trustees as they make plans for the future of the Seminary, and that He will continually renew their energy and enthusiasm for the Seminary’s mission.

MTW: MTW is developing a site in Qunajuato, Mexico, to serve as a hub for church planting, training and theological education, as well as a short-term ministry site. Please pray for relationship building in the community and for the ministry of short-term teams beginning spring 2009.

RUM: Pray that the university administrations where RUF chapters are located will be receptive and fair to the ministries’ presence on their campus. Pray that as political issues arise, campus ministers will have wisdom and discretion in dealing with the administration and more than anything that the truth of the Gospel will begin to impact the university from the top down.

RBI: Pray for RBI as an agency of the PCA General Assembly, as it shares a common vision with the other committees and agencies and fulfills a unique role in the denomination.