Every day a thousand choices present themselves to us, each one more complex and convoluted than the last. How is the modern Christian expected to figure out the will of God in their lives? What compounds the problem are the multitude of voices and Instagram-celebrities that promote their own unique way of following God. When faced with such complexities, perhaps the solution is to go back to the basics.
The prophet Micah ministered against a bleak time in Israel’s history. A mighty enemy, the Assyrian empire, had arisen against Israel and Judah and succeeded in destroying the northern tribes of Israel. All this left the people of God scared and afraid for the future. How could they find security? Had God abandoned them, and if so what did they need to do in order for God to be happy with them?
Against this background, Micah speaks the simple and plain truth. God had already revealed exactly what He does and does not want from His people. We cannot hope to appease God by working our way into righteousness, nor sacrificing others for our own sin. Instead, Micah listed out the three principles of what God asks of His people: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him.