Bible Verse
Micah 6:8
Micah prophesies God's case against Israel, contrasting empty religious ritual with genuine heart devotion and ethical living.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
— Micah 6:8 (NIV)
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Other Translations
"He has told you, O man, 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?"
— ESV
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
— KJV
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
— NLT
Understanding the Context
Book Context
Micah 6 presents God's lawsuit against Israel. After asking what offerings please God, Micah reveals God desires heart transformation, not just sacrifices.
Historical Background
8th century BC, Israel performed religious rituals while practicing injustice and oppression. Micah, like other prophets, calls for authentic faith demonstrated through righteous living.
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good"
'Shown' indicates this isn't hidden knowledge but revealed truth. 'Mortal' (adam) reminds us of our humanity and need for divine instruction. 'What is good' refers to God's standard, not human opinion.
"And what does the LORD require of you?"
'Require' (darash) means seek, demand, ask. God has specific expectations. This question invites reflection on God's true priorities versus our assumptions about pleasing Him.
"To act justly"
'Act justly' (asah mishpat) means do justice, practice fairness, treat people rightly. This is active—pursuing justice in relationships, business, society. Not just avoiding injustice but actively promoting what's right.
"and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"
'Love mercy' (ahab chesed)—not just show mercy but love it, delight in loyal love and kindness. 'Walk humbly' (tsana) means careful, modest walk with God—authentic relationship, not proud religiosity. These summarize true faith.
Key Themes
Applying This Verse to Your Life
- 1
Pursue justice actively in your relationships, workplace, and community.
- 2
Cultivate love for mercy—find joy in showing compassion and kindness.
- 3
Walk with God in humility, recognizing your dependence on Him daily.
- 4
Examine whether your faith is authentic relationship with God or just religious performance.
- 5
Let these three principles (justice, mercy, humility) guide major decisions.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life do you need to act more justly?
- Do you truly love mercy, or just show it begrudgingly?
- What does walking humbly with God look like practically in your daily life?
- Is your Christianity characterized more by religious activity or by justice, mercy, and humility?
Related Scripture
Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth... But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness."
James 1:27
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress."
Amos 5:24
"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
Zechariah 7:9
"This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'"
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