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plead your case

Micah 6:1-16 (JDV)

Micah 6:1 Now listen to what Yahveh is saying: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your complaint.
Micah 6:2 Listen to Yahveh’s lawsuit, you mountains and enduring foundations of the land, because Yahveh has a case against his people and will argue it against Israel.
Micah 6:3 My people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Testify against me!
Micah 6:4 Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from that place of slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam ahead of you.
Micah 6:5 My people, remember what King Balak of Moab proposed, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from the Acacia Grove to Gilgal so that you may acknowledge Yahveh’s righteous acts.
Micah 6:6 What should I bring before Yahveh when I bow before God on high? Should I come before him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
Micah 6:7 Would Yahveh be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand oil streams? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the offspring of my body for my throat’s sin?
Micah 6:8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what Yahveh requires of you: to act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:9 The voice of Yahveh calls out to the city (and it is wise to fear your name): “Pay attention to the rod and the one who ordained it.
Micah 6:10 Are there still the treasures of wickedness and the accursed short measure in the house of the wicked?
Micah 6:11 Can I excuse wicked scales or bags of deceptive weights?
Micah 6:12 For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and those who live there speak lies; the tongues in their mouths are deceitful.
Micah 6:13: “As a result, I have begun to strike you severely, bringing desolation because of your sins.
Micah 6:14 You will eat but not be satisfied, for there will be hunger within you. What you acquire, you cannot preserve, and what you do preserve, I will give to the sword.
Micah 6:15 You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourself with oil; and you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.
Micah 6:16 The statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house have been observed; you have followed their policies. Therefore, I will make you a lonely place and those who live in the city an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of my people.”

plead your case

The LORD calls on his people to prepare their case, and he will argue his. He had established his nation in order to declare his glory, but they had shamed him. All the animal sacrifices in the world cannot atone for that. The LORD simply wanted his people to do good works – to be just, kind, and humble before him. That would bring him glory. Instead, they followed their corrupt kings and filled the land with deceit and violence. Case closed. Punishment deserved.

LORD, we want to bring glory to your name. Teach us how to be fair, kind, and humble before your greatness.