Justice
Man looks at the outside
Man looks at the outside. We are always concerned about what others would think of us and how we would appear to others (cf 1 Sam. 16:6-7; Is. 29:13; Mat. 6:2; 7:15; 23:25-28; 2 Cor. 10:7).
God looks at the inside
God does not merely look at the outside, He looks at the inside. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The LORD looks on the heart.”
Issues because of the differences between man’s and God’s way
Man thinks that he would please God in his own ways, looking at the outside. But God says, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my way” (Is. 55:8). This brings about difficulties for man. Saul also thought that he could please God by bringing the best sheep and oxen of the Amalekites for the LORD when Saul was commanded to completely destroy them. The LORD was quite displeased with Saul and said that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22). Indeed, God does not delight in mere sacrifice, but on a broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:16).
God is weary of all our pretences in all our feasts, offerings and assemblies (cf Is. 1:13-14). This is because, God says, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hos. 6:6).
Let us quote at length what Amos wrote in 5:20-23:
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings, I will not accept them: and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.”
Is the LORD fed up with all our church services, our prayers and offerings too? Is He weary of all our songs and sermons? Does He detest our unrepentant hearts and our routine-like activities? Does he abhor all our evil and vile practices, our half-hearted commitments, bribery, adultery, prostitution, chasing of vain glories and riches, idolatries, pride, disdain of the poor and the needy? Even the priests and rulers expect bribe today (Mic. 3:11).
What the LORD expects from us
Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, 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.” Hosea 6:6 clearly says, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Therefore, let us understand these three things today, as we reel under difficult hardships:
- Seek Justice (Is1:17). Let us do justice (Mic. 6:8). Let the ruler and those in authority do justice. Let us look after the widows and orphans (Is. 1:17), and let justice flow llike a river (Am. 5:24).
- Love kindness (Mic. 6:8). Let us help those oppressed (Is. 1:17) and sow righteousness (Hos. 10:12).
- Walk humbly with God (Mic. 6:8). In order to walk with God, we need to humble ourselves. God does not like a haughty and proud heart.
