Micah 6:5-8

At this point Micah has already delivered 2 of his 3 messages: a message of warning (verses1&2) and a message of promise (verses 3-5). His third message is a challenge to the people to trust in the Lord and obey Him. For its only through this trust and obidience that they can be forgiven and saved from the punishment that they are owed.

Throughout the history of the old testament it is important to remember just how essential it was to the Jewish nation to trust in the Lord. (Gen 12: 1-3, John 4:22)

The story of Balak and Balaam is found in Numbers:22-24 (if people are interested) basically, this story is mentioned by Micah to remind the people of a covenant that was made between them and God.

It was this forgetfullness of the people that would condem them. When people refuse to see how fortunate they are then they begin to take God (and His blessings) for granted and become self-centred. This is what was going on here.

People have tried many ways over the years to please God, but God makes it very clear what He wishes us to do. He wants us to be fair, just, and merciful, and to walk humbly with Him.

As Ive mentioned before, this message from Micah was very much like a courtroom set-up. Micah uses 3 key points to underline the importance of repentance. . . . guilt, punishment and mercy. The first of these are found in these verses we are looking at today.

Because of great guilt, trust the Lord;

Along with Micah reminding the people of Balak and Balaam, he also mentions Isreal's crossing of the Jordan river and entering the promised land (Josh 3-4). The very same God who opened and closed the Red sea did the same with the Jordan so His people may claim their inheritance. He did for them what they couldn't do themselves. But all that is forgotten.

It is important for God's people to remember what He has done for them. The word "remember" is found 14 times in the book of Deuteronomy. As it is important not to live in or dwell on the past, it is essential that we learn from it. Otherwise we will continue to make the same mistakes.

Interestingly enough, in this passage we see the people answering Micah back and attempting to bargin with God or even buy Him off with a few calves. Nothing we have to offer the Lord will ever come close to repaying Him for all He has done for us.

The people simply didnt get what Micah was saying to them. The very fact of how guilty they were should have motivated them to turn away from their sin.

The only people who God can save are lost .

The only people who God can forgive are guilty.

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