Suprisingly Empty
When my wife and I first started dating, I received a call from her because she was stranded on the side of the road and needed my help. To her surprise, her red Chevy Blazer had run out of gas, with nothing left in the tank; it left her on the side of the road. Why did she allow her tank to run dry? It’s a fair question; the answer lay in the fact that the fuel indicator on her dashboard was broken. According to her fuel gauge, she had plenty of gas to make it to my house and back to her apartment on campus without needing to refuel, though in reality, she did not. I stopped for gas on my way to where she was, added gasoline to the fuel tank upon arrival, and we both drove our vehicles back to my house for the afternoon.
Sometimes, as God’s people, we believe our worship is fully pleasing and acceptable to our God. We come to church on Sunday, give money to the ministry, sing the songs, and take notes as the preacher explains the week’s Bible passage. While all these things are good and ways to love God, they are empty if not coming from a heart that loves God supremely and others as themselves. We mistakenly think that our external acts of worship alone are fully pleasing to God, like Stephanie thought her fuel tank was full of fuel. We err in thinking this way because our gauge for correctly evaluating the quality of our worship is wrong, misunderstood, broken, or ignored. The acceptability of our worshipful actions for God must come from a devoted heart for Him, and a heart devoted to Him above all will love others, too. Thus, a heart pursuing obedience to these two greatest commandments or simply living for themselves is the indicator for letting us know whether or not our worship is empty.
As always, we are not the first of God’s people who wrestle with the acceptability of our worship of our God. The people of Micah’s day found their worship of the LORD empty of meaning for themselves and to Him. As we look at the book and ministry of Micah, we will discover why Israel and Judah’s worship was empty of meaning, how God relates to empty religious rituals, and what God requires of His people for their worship of Him to be full of meaning and pleasing to Him.
Micah’s Place in God’s Story
Micah was prophesying during Isaiah’s ministry too. The book bearing this prophet’s name is organized by three cycles of woe and weal. Woe is funeral language and thus it is as if the prophet is preaching Israel’s and Judah’s funeral service. Micah follows these messages of judgment with sections of weal. Yes, I agree this word sounds foreign or strange to our modern ears. Weal is an old English word meaning “blessing.” The main message of Micah is clear, judgment is coming and after judgment, blessing.
We find the first cycle of woe and weal in chapters one and two. The prophet wastes no time in foretelling Samaria’s (The Northern Kingdom, Israel) coming destruction at the hands of the Assyrians. Micah was living when this prophetic judgment of the LORD’s came to pass on Israel. Assyria conquered the land and exiled all except for the poor and elderly throughout their empire and resettled other conquered foes into the Northern Kingdom.
While Judah felt pain caused by the hands the Assyrians around the fall of the Northern Kingdom, God did not let Judah fall at this time. However, the citizens of the Southern Kingdom did not learn from God’s dealing with the Northern Kingdom and Judah fell in its finality in 586 BC to the Babylonians. Jeremiah describes the depth and breadth of God’s judgment on His people after Jerusalem is laid waste. Lamentations is helpful in helping us vividly imagine the totality of judgment prophesied by Micah. Lamentations 2:5 summarizes God’s dealings with both kingdoms.
Yes, the Lord has vanquished Israel
like an enemy.
He has destroyed her palaces
and demolished her fortresses.
He has brought unending sorrow and tears
upon beautiful Jerusalem.
Why did God deal with His covenant people in such manner?
When God entered into covenant with Israel and Israel with God, there were covenant stipulations. In Deuteronomy 28:1-29 we see the blessings for obedience and cursing for disobedience concerning Israel and its covenant with the LORD. One of the curses for their continual disobedience is that Yahweh will exile them and their king to a nation unknown to them or their ancestors, becoming an object of horror, ridicule, and mockery among the nations to which they were sent (Deuteronomy 28:36-37). One reason for the widespread destruction of Israel and Judah was because God is faithful and He will do what He says He will do. Part of His covenant responsibilities was to discipline His people for their unfaithfulness concerning their part of the covenant. The nation’s unfaithfulness is manifested in two ways in the book of Micah; idolatry(Micah 1:5, 7) and social injustice (2:1-2; 3:9-10; 6:11-12; 7:2-4). In other words, they did not love God supremely or their neighbor as themselves.
After calling out Israel and Judah for their idolatry and oppression of the vulnerable in chapter one and the first part of chapter two and warning them of God’s discipline because they refused to repent, the people to whom Micah is prophesying speak in 2:6 saying,
“Don’t say such things,”
the people respond.
“Don’t prophesy like that.
Such disasters will never come our way!”
Why did the Israelites not believe Micah’s message of coming judgment?
Why did Micah’s audience believe that their fall would not come? For one, they misunderstood God’s patience towards them. They figured that God would not discipline them for the way that they were living because He hadn’t done so yet. Either God was apathetic in bringing judgment, wasn’t powerful enough to bring judgment, or He was alright with the lifestyle and direction of the two kingdoms as a whole. Whatever the reason, they rebuked Micah for bringing such gloomy prophesy. The prophet responds to the people’s arrogance and misunderstanding of God’s patience in 2:7,
Should you talk that way, O family of Israel?
Will the Lord’s Spirit have patience with such behavior?
If you would do what is right,
you would find my words comforting.
The prophet reminded them that the Lord’s Spirit would not have patience and would not let such wickedness, rebellion, idol worship, and oppression continue indefinitely without taking action against them. Micah’s words remind me of the LORD’s words in Genesis 6:2, in a world gone wrong, God stated that His Spirit would not strive with men indefinitely. He would bring catastrophic judgment via a global flood. But, instead of wiping humanity out of existence, God would preserve the human race through Noah and his family and allow them to still live many years on the earth He created. During each person’s lifespan, our Heavenly Father pours out His common graces on both those who love Him and those who hate Him (Matthew 5:45) and demonstrates His patience towards sinners by not immediately exterminating them when they initially sin. Instead, he is patient with them, giving them time to repent, believe, and experience abundant life now and for eternity. These common graces and delays in judgment for our sins that every human being enjoys, both now and in Noah’s day, are the manifestation of God’s kindness; Paul reveals the purpose of God’s kindness and patience in his letter to the Romans.
Romans 2:3-4
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
In Romans, Paul addresses everyone’s need for rescue from a holy God who rightfully judges sinners. The Apostle begins by focusing on those who openly reject God’s existence and live openly and fragrantly against His will as lawbreakers deserving punishment for their sins. But in chapter two, he turns his attention to those who think they are better than the sinners described in Romans 1. However, Paul says that though they accused the people described in chapter one and agreed that they deserved God’s wrath for their sin, Paul said that they also committed the same sins – they were as deserving of God’s punishment as the people Paul just described! They thought they were better off morally; they felt they were more righteous than they really were. Paul reminds them that they are no better than the people they were condemning. They too were sinners (Romans 3:23) worthy of God’s judgment, but they too were recipients of God’s patience and kindness when He did not take their last breath when they rebelled but allowed them to live, allowing them time to come to repentance and not die in their sins.
Micah brings this same truth to the rebellious people of his day. He explained to them that if they would do what was right – while there was still time because of the LORD’s patience- if they acknowledged their sin before God and turned from it, they would experience blessing instead of cursing. Turning from their sin, experiencing cleansing of that sin, being restored to God, and even having the judgment postponed or eliminated were why Micah says his message would bring them comfort if heeded. As a pastor who counsels others occasionally, I have seen healing and restoration when God’s counsel is heard and applied to life or situations. Still, I have seen wounds and chaos multiplied in lives and situations where biblical counsel is rejected or ignored out of arrogance. The devastation and wreckage don’t happen immediately, but after a time of grace, God’s discipline arises. Often, the direct results from continued sin and not applying biblical counsel are His mode of operation for disciplining His people. God would multiply Israel’s and Judah’s troubles, for they rejected Micah and the other prophets’ messages of warning, therefore neglecting repentance and restoration.
Secondly, they rejected Micah’s prophesies because they thought their relationship with God was fine, they couldn’t imagine why He would be angry with them. How could they be so blind? The people were in direct violation of the first four commandments and missing the heart behind commands 5-10 in how they treated one another. They were breaching the very commands that defined how they were to live in relationship with their God and one another. But, they thought that they were safe from coming judgment by Yahweh because they were still performing religious works. They were offering their sacrifices, giving their tithes, saying their prayers, and going to Temple when required. With these boxes faithfully checked off, what could God be so angry about?
What was God expecting from His people?
Chapters six and seven contain the final cycle of weal and woe. After asking what He has done to make the people tired of Him after He has done so many things on their behalf (6:1-5), the people respond to their God’s inquiry.
Micah 6:6-7
What can we bring to the Lord?
Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
The Israelites spoke arrogantly and disrespectfully to their God. Stunned and angry that the LORD would be displeased with them even though they had been faithful to offer sacrifices, tithe, and go to the Temple when expected, among other things, they began to sarcastically ask what they should bring to Him to please Him. Would He be pleased with year-old calves? Calves were considered one of the finest offerings somebody could give. If giving a quality sacrifice wasn’t good enough for Him, what if they offered Him thousands of sacrifices that were lesser in value? In other words, if not the quality of the sacrifice, what about the quantity of sacrifices? Then, when you think the people couldn’t get any lower, they dare to suggest that they might be able to earn God’s favor and satisfy His expectations by offering their firstborn child as a sacrifice! Child sacrifice was strictly forbidden by Yahweh, though practiced by His people to other gods (Jeremiah 32:35). The prophet then clearly responds with what they know the LORD requires of His people in 6:8.
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.
God sent Micah to proclaim His Word to people who thought they were right with God because of their faithfulness in keeping the external religious expectations. Yet, while the people honored Yahweh with their lips and outward expressions of religious ritual, their hearts were far from Him (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8-9). There wasn’t any justifiable reason for their distant hearts, nor were they ignorant of what the LORD required of them. Micah reminded them that the LORD had clearly told their ancestors what He desired of them, and His expectations had been preserved for them in written form for all to know and reference (Deuteronomy 30:11-18).
The prophet reminded them what God required of His people. Micah calls his hearers to do what is right and just. To do what is right is to help someone in need, like advocating for one whose rights are being violated (Proverbs 21:7, 15). God is the ultimate just One, as He champions the cause of the orphan, widow, and all those who are oppressed (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 146:7). King Solomon practiced justice as he rightly vindicated the rights of a prostitute, returning her stolen child (1 Kings 3:27-28). To do what is right, to do justice, means that God’s people, then and now, are to do what we can to help those in need. As we seek to protect and serve the vulnerable, govern fairly, and correct wrongs, we do what we can to promote a just society.
Secondly, Israel and Judah have been instructed by the LORD to love kindness. Usually, the faithful are described as having or doing kindness. Uniquely, the verb and noun combination only appear here in the Old Testament and, as such, call God’s people to love kindness. While the word for kindness covers a range of ideas, the word usually signifies help provided by a stronger to a weaker partner in a covenant relationship (though a covenant relationship is not necessary to practice this command). God expects His people to have a heart for helping people in need. Doing justice or what is right is something that we do as God’s people, but a lover of kindness is something that we are to be. We are not to help those in need or oppressed out of duty but because of a genuine desire to help.
Just as the people of Israel escalated the ridiculousness of their religious sacrifices to please the LORD with each example, the prophet answered them skillfully in the same manner. Micah’s first two commands involve loving one’s neighbor as oneself by doing what is right and from a heart bent on helping those in need. Finally, God’s messenger calls them to walk humbly with their God. To walk with God speaks of having and living in a genuine relationship with Him. It’s not simply knowing about Him but knowing of Him. Walking with God means accepting His values and vision for life, doing life with Him, worshiping Him, and following Him. People who walk with God do so humbly, as it requires humbleness to recognize who we are in light of who the LORD is and, as a result, submit ourselves to His kingship.
Micah concludes by calling his fellow compatriots to love God with all of their heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4). Their love for the LORD is revealed by the level of their faithful obedience to His commands (Deuteronomy 6:5). Micah preached a good word that stands the test of time. We won’t have a heart for helping people in need if we don’t walk humbly with our Lord, allowing His Spirit to transform us more into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), and without a heart to help hurting and needy people, we will not do what is right – at least not in a way that is pleasing to our Lord because we will repeat the mistake of Israel and Judah. Their mistake was substituting external religious activity for our God for internal love of our God and others. External religion combined with internal rebellion has and forever will be repugnant to God.
God did not call out His people, deliver them from Egypt, see them through and provide for them in the wilderness, and lead them into the promised land so they could turn from Him, live for themselves, and practice injustice. No, the LORD did all those things so they would know Him and know how to live with Him and others rightly and be missionaries to the nations around them. One-time offerings, even extravagant ones – completely missed the mark if given without walking with God and a love for one’s neighbor. God did not rescue a people so they could appear religious and go through religious motions but to know Him, be transformed by Him, and be His transforming agents of mercy and love to the world.
Micah’s Message and Us Today
Today, we must also consider whether or not we are counting on religious experiences alone to make ourselves right with the LORD. Many are staking everything on a time where they recited a particular prayer and made a one-time commitment to follow Him as all that matters. One-time commitments in the past are important, but true belief in Jesus results in the true pursuit of Jesus. If empty of inward faith, simply repeating or saying a prayer alone is ineffective in making sinners right with God. The Apostle John describes genuine belief in Jesus as including receiving Him into one’s life (John 1:12).
Receiving Jesus means that we reject all other idols and cling to the truth about Jesus as a running back holds tightly to the football when handed to him. It means that we take Jesus’ words seriously in that anyone who wants to follow Him must give up his own way, take up his cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Have you made a past commitment to Jesus, but your life is void of evidence for such a decision made? Have you been trying to earn God’s favor through religious activities like the people in Micah’s day? If so, please watch the video below, which explains how you can receive Jesus today. This is the same Jesus that Micah prophesied about in 5:2! If you doubt where you stand with God after watching His invitation to believe in His Son, would you do so today?
For those who have been made right with God through faith in Jesus and still being made into the likeness of Jesus, what do we need to heed from Micah’s warnings? We must understand that the acts of worship God finds acceptable flow from a heart that loves God supremely and neighbor as self. Singing worship songs at church is sickening to our Lord if done so mechanically or thoughtlessly or if you are verbally abusive to your spouse or kids. Giving some of your money to support the ministry of your church is unacceptable to Jesus if done begrudgingly or earned dishonestly or at the expense of others. Reading or studying the Bible for knowledge alone without applying its truth to our lives and relationships displeases Him. Even Jesus will one day look at people who performed miracles, cast out demons, and prophesied in His name only to tell them to depart from Him, for He never knew them (Matthew 7:22). In the end, it is all about knowing Jesus – not knowing about Him or even doing things for Him – it’s about knowing God’s heart and acquiring his heart of steadfast love and kindness, resulting in doing justice – the right way, because of a right heart and attitude (Micah 6:7-8). God has always intended for His people to do right in the world because of their right love for Him. Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people demonstrate their love for Him through covenantal obedience.
Secondly, God will judge His people if they continue in their idolatry and unjust treatment of others. Our Heavenly Father will discipline those who are His children. Though receiving discipline is not fun, it is out of His love for us and our good that He does judge our sins. Judgment is meant to lead us to repentance and usually occurs long after He has given us time to repent and correct our ways, as He did with Israel and Judah through His prophets.
As this post ends, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any idols in your life. Pause and wait for Him to answer. If He reveals anything competing with your heart, ask for forgiveness and place those things in their proper places or rid your life of them altogether. Secondly, ask the Lord to reveal any relationship in which you are not loving the person as yourself. Then, as far as it is concerned with you, do what is needed to live peaceably with that person and treat them the way you want to be treated. Finally, ask the Father to give you eyes to see the injustices around you and for the wisdom in knowing how to respond to them so that we can be His people who do right, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
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