Thoughts for the Day

Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountain...
for the Lord has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.

‘O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery.....

‘With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’

He has told you, O mortal, 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?

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The barristers in the UK have been on strike recently, which unfortunately won't help to get rid of the backlog of cases much of it caused by Covid-19! Mostly the system is effective, those who are accused are taken to court and a judge, or a jury of 12 people, ultimately decide whether they are guilty.

In our reading today Micah pictures a similar court system. God has a dispute with Israel and to resolve this He takes them to court. He brings His complaint against His people before strong witnesses - the mountains, hills, and the foundations of the world. He states His case, asking what He has done that His people reject Him, and reminds them of all that He has accomplished for them.

The nation responds, asking a somewhat sulky basic question: "What do you want of me? Should we worship You more often, or give more sacrifices, including our children? What will it take to appease You?" They are so wrapped in their own sin that they actually seem to want God to change!

God's answer is one that we too can learn from. He says we are "Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before God".

Almighty God,
we praise You for Your glory,
and we thank You for all that You give us
each and every day.
Help us to respond to You
by loving justice for all,
by showing kindness to those around us,
and living humbly before You.
Amen.