6:1ff Here Micah pictures a courtroom. God, the Judge, tells his people what he requires of them and recites all the ways they have wronged both him and others. Chapters 4 and 5 are full of hope; chapters 6 and 7 proclaim judgment and appeal to the people to repent.
6:1, 2 God called to the mountains to confirm the people’s guilt. The mountains would serve as excellent witnesses, for it was in the high places that the people had built pagan altars and had sacrificed to false gods (1 Kings 14:23; Jeremiah 17:2, 3; Ezekiel 20:28).
6:3 The people would never be able to answer this question because God had done nothing wrong. In fact, God had been exceedingly patient with them, had always lovingly guided them, and had given them every opportunity to return to him. If God asked you, “What have I done to you?” how would you reply?
6:5 The story of Balak and Balaam is found in Numbers 22–24. Shittim was the Israelites’ campsite east of the Jordan River just before they entered the Promised Land (Joshua 2:1). There the people received many of God’s instructions about how to live. Gilgal, their first campsite after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4:19), was where the people renewed their covenant with God (Joshua 5:3-9). These two places represent God’s loving care for his people: his willingness both to protect them and to warn them about potential troubles. In Micah’s day, the people had forgotten this covenant and its benefits and had turned away from God.
6:5 God continued to be kind to his forgetful people, but their short memory and lack of thankfulness condemned them. When people refuse to see how fortunate they are and begin to take God’s gifts for granted, they become self-centered. Regularly remember God’s goodness and thank him. Remembering God’s past protection will help you see his present provision.
6:6-8 Israel responded to God’s request by trying to appease him with sacrifices, hoping he would then leave them alone. But sacrifices and other religious rituals aren’t enough; God wants changed lives. He wants his people to be fair, just, merciful, and humble. God wants us to become living sacrifices (Romans 12:1, 2), not just doing religious deeds, but living rightly (Jeremiah 4:4; Hebrews 9:14). It is impossible to follow God consistently without his transforming love in our hearts.
6:8 People have tried all kinds of ways to please God (6:6, 7), but God has made his wishes clear: He wants his people to do what is just, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. In your efforts to please God, examine these areas on a regular basis. Are you fair in your dealings with people? Do you show mercy to those who wrong you? Are you learning humility?
6:16 Omri reigned over Israel and led the people into idol worship (1 Kings 16:21-26). Ahab, his son, was Israel’s most wicked king (1 Kings 16:29-33). If the people were following the commands and practices of these kings, they were in bad shape. Such pervasive evil was ripe for punishment.