Sunday, February 01, 2026
Micah 6:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon Title: “What does the Lord require of you?”
- Context
Many of us have favorite scriptures that speak to our hearts, yet some passages are vital for all believers on the journey of faith. One such passage is today’s reading from Micah 6:1-8. The prophet lived in Judah during a time of great wealth and apparent prosperity, but beneath the surface, God’s people and their society were deeply broken.
Their society was shaped by pride, greed, and self-indulgence, with wealth held by a few while the poor suffered. Those in power ignored justice, and the people turned away from God, continuing outward worship but losing moral clarity and heartfelt devotion.
- Rise, present your case.
In today’s scripture, Micah presents a courtroom scene where the people accuse God as if He were on trial. God responds by calling them to plead their case before the mountains and hills. Why does God tell the people to speak to the mountains and hills? God tells the people to speak to the mountains because they have stood since the beginning of time and witnessed everything. They have seen God deliver Israel, lead them to the Promised Land, and grant victory over enemies, but they have also seen the people turn away, worship false gods, and be unfaithful. The mountains know the full truth, and creation itself testifies to God’s faithfulness. When God decides to judge His people, He has full evidence of all their actions.
- Remember the righteous acts of God
God stands ready to defend Himself against the Israelites’ accusations, asking, “What have I done to you?” In this courtroom, the people have no valid argument to support their case.
God presents evidence of His faithfulness to Israel: First, He reminds them of their deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the sea, provision in the wilderness, and guidance to the Promised Land. Second, He points to the leaders He provided, Moses, Aaron, Miriam, and many others. Third, He recalls His involvement in events like Balak and Balaam, showing His constant care and presence in Israel’s history.
God could go on and on presenting the famous evidence, like Joshua at Jericho (Joshua 6:20) or David defeating Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-58), but His faithfulness is also seen in countless smaller moments, protecting, guiding, and turning challenges into blessings throughout Israel’s history.
- What should we do to please God?
With all the evidence God presented, it was clear He was winning the case. The people of Judah responded with anxiety, asking how they could come before the Lord, considering various sacrificial offerings as a response. They wanted to buy their redemption.
The first is a burnt offering of a year-old calf, as detailed in Leviticus, where it is presented as the primary offering. The second suggestion was to offer a ram, recalling Abraham and Isaac, implying that more would be even better. The third was to offer the best olive oil, Israel’s prized crop, thinking vast quantities would please God. The fourth raised the extreme idea of offering one’s firstborn, a practice that, though horrifying to us, was sadly familiar in that culture.
Beloved, God never commanded the Israelites to sacrifice their firstborn children. Instead, He provided redemption by paying five shekels to the priest (Exodus 30:11-16). Child sacrifice was practiced only for other gods, which God condemned as a grave sin.
- What does the Lord require of you?”
Micah does not reject sacrifices; they were part of the Law, but he redirects the focus: God values the heart over outward rituals. True worship involves attitudes and actions, not just offerings. Pleasing God requires acting positively toward others and Him, and the prophet highlights three specific ways to do this:
- To act justly:
It means more than treating others fairly; it calls us to promote justice in our communities, especially for the vulnerable. God always sides with the poor and oppressed, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:18, and calls us to do the same. Jesus echoes this in the Beatitudes, blessing the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who seek righteousness.
From the beginning, God’s heart has been for the vulnerable. If this is one of God’s non-negotiable requirements, the question is, are we doing this? How much do we speak up for those who are vulnerable in this community?
God calls us to live our faith through action, standing against injustice, caring for the vulnerable, and fostering fairness and compassion in our communities.
- To love kindness:
To please God, we must love with kindness and show mercy, treating others as we would like to be treated. This can range from simple acts like volunteering at a homeless shelter. But it can also be as difficult as forgiving someone who has wounded you with their words or injured you by their actions. These first two requirements focus on our relationships with others.
- To walk humbly with your God
Walking humbly with God has two parts: first, God must be central in our daily lives, guiding us; second, we must cultivate humility, growing in intimacy with Him, following His will, and striving to become more like Jesus through ongoing spiritual growth and discipleship.
- Conclusion
Beloved, God calls us to reflect His heart: to act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him. Jesus sums this up in the greatest commandments: to love God fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are called to put our faith into action, living out God’s truths in ways that transform our lives and the lives of others. Amen.