Micah > Chapter 6

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Commentary Critical and Explanatory

on the Whole Bible

6. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?--The people, convicted by the

previous appeal of Jehovah to them, ask as if they knew not (compare

Micah 6:8) what Jehovah requires of them to appease Him, adding that they

are ready to offer an immense heap of sacrifices, and those the most costly,

even to the fruit of their own body.

burnt offerings--(Leviticus 1:1-17).

calves of a year old--which used to be offered for a priest (Leviticus

9:2,3).

7. rivers of oil--used in sacrifices (Leviticus 2:1,15). Will God be appeased

by my offering so much oil that it shall flow in myriads of torrents?

my first-born--(2 Kings 3:27). As the king of Moab did.

fruit of my body--my children, as an atonement (Psalms 132:11). The Jews

offered human sacrifices in the valley of Hinnom (Jeremiah 19:5, 32:35,

Ezekiel 23:27).

8. He--Jehovah.

hath showed thee--long ago, so that thou needest not ask the question as if

thou hadst never heard (Micah 6:6; compare Deuteronomy 10:12, 30:11-14).

what is good--"the good things to come" under Messiah, of which "the law

had the shadow." The Mosaic sacrifices were but suggestive foreshadowings

of His better sacrifice (Hebrews 9:23, 10:1). To have this "good" first

"showed," or revealed by the Spirit, is the only basis for the superstructure

of the moral requirements which follow. Thus the way was prepared for the

Gospel. The banishment of the Jews from Palestine is designed to preclude

the possibility of their looking to the Mosaic rites for redemption, and shuts

them up to Messiah.

justly . . . mercy--preferred by God to sacrifices. For the latter being

positive ordinances, are only means designed with a view to the former,

which being moral duties are the ends, and of everlasting obligation

(1 Samuel 15:22, Hosea 6:6, 12:6, Amos 5:22,24). Two duties towards man

are specified--justice, or strict equity; and mercy, or a kindly abatement of

what we might justly demand, and a hearty desire to do good to others.

to walk humbly with thy God--passive and active obedience towards God.

The three moral duties here are summed up by our Lord (Matthew 23:23),

"judgment, mercy, and faith" (in Luke 11:42, "the love of God). Compare

James 1:27. To walk with God implies constant prayer and watchfulness,

familiar yet "humble" converse with God (Genesis 5:24, 17:1).