Duty Calls
He has declared to you, man, what is good; and what does YHWH require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
What Is Good – Pilate asked, “What is truth?” He didn’t realize that he was asking the wrong question. The question he asked is deeply rooted in Hellenism. Greeks search for truth. Hebrews search for the good.
Abraham Heschel clarified the difference when he said that the real question of life is “What does God require of me?” No other question matters much until this one is answered. And no man is able to give the answer to this question. The answer must come from God Himself. Only God is able to tell us what He requires. Fortunately, He has not been silent about the matter. Micah voices God’s answer as clearly as possible. What does God require? Justice, mercy and humility.
Did you notice that the “truth” is not one of the requirements? Does that seem odd to you? Haven’t we heard one thousand times that God wants us to have the right answers to the right questions. Are you saved? Should you be baptized? Does the Bible teach a literal seven-day creation? Should women be pastors? Is hell a real place? Just tune into the Bible answer man and get the truth. You’ll have all your information correctly cataloged, systematized and certified. But God asked for something else.
Justice, mercy and humility. Ah, those with a storehouse of “truth” might still miss the point of it all. Having the correct answers is not the same as the behavior exemplified by doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God. You might notice that all three of these requirements are verbs. Propositional truths are nouns, but God is looking for verbs.
So, here’s the little self-examination, a reasonable test of your “truth” quotient. If you asked someone who really knows you, what kind of score would you get on the scale of doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with your God? I am quite sure that Micah would have expected you to deal with these issues before he pointed you to doctrinal integrity.
“What is good?” Actually, in this Hebrew verse, it’s not a question. It is a declaration. higid lekha ma-tov. “You have been told what good is.” Are you a “good” person? Then you will find yourself doing justice (ah, now what does that mean?) and loving mercy (and how does this manifest itself?) and walking humbly. Did you realize that each of these are public? Others will see them and glorify God because they know you well enough to know you could not do any of these on your own.
It’s not the Good, the True and the Beautiful. Those are Greek ideals. God is interested in justice, mercy and humility. Those are Hebrew ideals. The Good, the True and the Beautiful may exist in some eternal, ethereal heavenly domain, but justice, mercy and humility have to happen right here. If you want to know the sum of all duty before YHWH, look no further than Micah. I’m guessing that we all have quite a bit of work to do.
Topical Index: good, justice, mercy, humility, ma-tov, Micah 6:8
“truth is not one of the requirements”
Hi Skip,
I was looking for something in Spiritual Restoration last night and came across the following comment on “Truth” in the section called The Agony and the Ecstasy:
“When Jesus said, “I am the truth,” He did not mean that he was the summation of all correct facts.”
I noticed that you did not use a capital “T.” (Just trying to get a rise out of Carl 🙂 )
one last-last thing… Yeshua is (not was) the word of G-d (truth) incarnate.
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19.16) Yes, Michael- “who is this King of glory?”
good morning all… no need to try Michael- I already am “stirred up!”- lol!..
Once again I lift my little hammer to strike another blow at the “hard-headed” rock. And once again, “I’m stickin’ with my guns” to say- “it’s not either/or it’s both!” Both Jew and Greek- not one or another.
Yes, I am aware of the “what’s in it for me” mindset of the Greek. And yes, I am aware of the “Greek” tendency to organize,categorize, box, and label. And yes, I am aware the “mind of Christ” was/is a Hebrew mind. And yes I am aware of the bloodline of the majority of the authors of the N.T. No problemo!
The entire “first half” of our Bible is about? G-d has a history with his people. Read the sweep of it and we find- G-d is Sovereign. G-d is Holy. G-d hates sin. G-d loves Israel. Israel is central to our understanding of scripture. And yes, I am aware when Yeshua said- “search the scriptures”- He was referring to the only existing “scriptures” at the time- the Old Testament. But, (big but y’all!) He also said (but wait.. there’s more!)- “search the scriptures— for they testify of Me!!
The Bible (all of it-not either/or-both) is one book. One theme. One covenant. One G-d. One message. “Behold, the Lamb of G-d which taketh away the sin of the world.” Our Bible is our “Him-book.” It is all about Him. He is (not was), He is our Passover Lamb.
If you miss this- just hang it up. G-d’s word declares- “without Me- you can do nothing.” Get it? Got it? Good. And again (and again..) in case you missed it- “not I- but Christ”. Get it? Got it? Good.
He must increase but (the big I) must decrease. Yes, -the mind of a servant (a Jewish slave)- in my case “doulos1” (my true “identity”) is what we (all) strive toward. We are in a constant and continual process (the process of sanctification- after “salvation”) of becoming more like our Master- our LORD and Savior- Jesus (who is the) Christ/ Yeshua HaMashiach- the Annointed One- the Son of G-d (and) the Son of man- the G-d/man. Rather difficult even to “pen” His name isn’t it? Why?- (it is “good” to ask why isn’t it?-lol!) -Because dear friends (of all shapes, and sizes, and colors of the rainbow)- this is Hashem- “the Name” by which we MUST be saved. No other name. (did you notice the period at the end? To repeat (not that is necessary- lol!) -no other name, or better yet- “what saith the scripture?”-“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4.12)- Well, who am I to argue with “thus saith the LORD?”- This (after all..) is His book and these are His words. “Every” word of G-d is pure. Uh-huh. Hebrew and Greek- “it’s all good!-lol!)
If any man be “in Christ” “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, (I can’t remember ever meeting a Scythian, but I have met a few “Barbarians”)
slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3.11)
The clock is glaring it’s angry eyes at me and I must close-time to wrap it.- It’s not about “you.” It’s not about me. -“it is the Christ”. Go into the “holy of holies” (it’s okay- the veil has been torn from top to bottom that we “all” may have access.) and view the contents and the arrangements of what is before you. An excellent study for us all brother Skip!) Tell me all about the “mercyseat” and the blood of atonement that was sprinkled once a year for the sins of the people. The ark of the covenant and the treasures contained within. lol!- We (all) have such a long way to go- and a short time to get there!- lol!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of G-d, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen! He is LORD!!
Our dear Abba’s blessings to all. G-d is love. Yeshua is wonderful! Amen.
Shalom,
“but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Ironically … Micah (out of context) sounds more like a modern day minister than a prophet of Israel of old! All of these requirements sounding very reasonable with no mention of those contentious “laws”!
And now to the B’rit Chadasha:
Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Mark: 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 12:29 And Yeshua answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our Elohim is one Lord: 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Luke: 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That Elohim is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
John: 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John: 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
It surely seems as if the “New Testament” writings have no problem aligning Torah with “what G_D requires”. Sh’ma Yisrael!
I sure enjoy reading the comments from above. I guess possibly I too must be more Hebrew minded but as far as teaching..as a man believeth or thinketh so is he.
I understand the behavior part mentioned above but I am also aware that we need the teaching of the Apostles Doctrine as stated. They were committed to it and most people are unaware of what it is and what they are to be adhered to. Behaviour changes I believe in the Believer as the knowledge of God enters within and then is worked out . I think that many followers have lost their way due to the lack of teaching in most assemblies. I am open for correction from those who are ahead of me “On the Way”. Thank you. Acts 2:42
Bravo, Skip… but know I “know” I have to “do”..
I get the difference and value between creed and deed. Certainly deed is much more valuable and is the focal point of how God frames our universe. Its not that creed has no value, but its value only comes as my deed is consistent with God’s instructions on how to live life. I get it. No argument. Here is my struggle (emphasis on “my”): It may be with the semantics; words like true, truth, good, right, and so forth. I read today’s “Today’s Word” and I clearly see Skip’s point about Micah 6:8. I also have been reading about the Hebraic viewpoint from Rabbi Benjamin Blech (“Understanding Judaism”). He writes, “What is bad in one time and place can become good in another time and place; but what is true can never be false.” Rabbi Blech sites as an illustration Germany during the 1930’s and 40’s. What was consider to be bad – the hurting, abuse, and killing of human life in one context, now becomes good, acceptable, and patriotic in another. If one considers “good” then one also must consider by what measure is it good or is it bad? Yet, Blech argues, when one considers true and false there is no consideration of measurement. It is objective. While good is conditional, truth is universal. Now, I am convinced by my own argument, but I still struggle. Why? Because Skip’s point about the Hellenistic philosophy of the “good, true, and beautiful” is anti-Hebraic. Is it just semantics or is there another point I am missing?
Correction please: I wrote previously “Skip’s point about the Hellenistic philosophy of the “good, true, and beautiful” is anti-Hebraic.” That is not what I meant to say. Skip is not anti-Hebraic. Quite the contrary. The Hellenistic philosophy about truth is anti-Hebraic. I apologize for any confusion. My compliments to Skip.
http://www.4myking.com/
Hi Roderick,
I just accidentally visited you web site and it looks like a good example of the “good, true, and beautiful” to me 🙂
I think that that concept comes in two forms: Greek and Hebrew; the Greek form is an abstract idea and the Hebrew form has to do with the Heart, we can connect to others in ways that are good , true, and beautiful.
I’m sure Skip can explain it better than I can, since he taught it to me 🙂
In Greek philosophy, the ideals of the Good, the True and the Beautiful are not so much abstractions as they are the essence of or the final goals of the rational life. Plato doesn’t really see them as abstract qualities. They are “forms” – the idealized reality behind our experience of the imperfect copies of the phenomenal world. As such, the GTB (Good, True, Beautiful) are real, divine manifestations of the highest reality. They replace the Greek gods.It is because of the GTB that men strive toward perfection, lifted toward the GTB by eros, the desire to possess.
In Hebrew thought, the GTB are not idealized, divine essences. They are attributes of the Holy God, attributes that can be manifest in this material world. When God blesses Creation, He recognizes that He has created something good, true and beautiful. The material world is not inherently flawed (as it is in Greek thinking) because it reflects the character of its Creator. It is not necessary to escape this world in order to enter into the eternal world of the GTB. In fact, the biblical task is to recover the image of the GTB in this place where God originally manifested it. Furthermore, I am not drawn to GTB on the basis of the desire to possess. I experience the GTB as a by-product of my desire to serve obediently. The goal is to be holy, for He is holy. The GTB are manifest in the performance of righteousness and the attainment of holiness. They are not goals in and of themselves.
The fundamental difference is that Greek thought views this world and this life as deficient, flawed and unable to achieve the GTB where Hebrew thought see this world as “fallen” but originally a full expression of GTB because it reflects the Creator. The world is corrupt but not flawed. It is broken but not destroyed. Man is still the image of the Creator even if he is now a cracked mirror. The task of this life is not to climb out of the cave and escape the shadow world. It is to restore the original which has been marred but not erased.
Thanks Skip. What a great explanation! For me, that is probably the most interesting point.
Oh no! There goes my cave paradigm! And, it was such a good one . . . LOL!
I am somewhat confused about the rendering of the last of this verse: Micah 6:8. David H. Stern in “Complete Jewish Bible” renders the last part of this verse as, “…and walk in purity with your God.” In the other eleven translations that I checked, one form or another of the word ‘humble’ was used, and I know that Stern used the Masoretic Text. So I checked two separate sources of the Septuagint and the word used in it is the Greek word etoimon, which means ‘prepared or ready.’ For me, to be “ready” to walk with God, since God is pure, “purity” seems a better fit – what do you think?
Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament puts it this way, “There is also a third: humble walk with God, i.e., in fellowship with God, as Israel, being a holy priestly nation, ought to walk. Without these moral virtues, sacrificial worship was a spiritless opus operatum, in which God had no pleasure.”
As I believe we are in the last days, the one who ‘walks in purity with God’ will remain under His merciful protection!
‘walks in purity with God’
Hi Fred,
I think that purity is a characteristic of God, not man.
“There is also a third: humble walk with God…”
Greetings Fred,
FYI … The JPS renders as “humbly”!
Based on uses within Kings, Psalms and Proverbs as examples … it seems that the combination of “Tsade” and “Nun” are typical of a “humble” translation!
Two cents anyway …
Regarding the CJB … Good rendering … but I always check with the text! 🙂
Oh and b/t/w … I don’t disagree with your ending comment about “walking in purity” … as in obedience and cleaving lovingly to the mitzvot … but what made Moshe so well loved by Adonai? … His Humility!
And of course walking in purity implies walking Spiritually in knowledge and wisdom … which of course begins with humility and “fear of The Lord”!
I don’t think we can get away from the fact that our best and most useful character attribute at the end of the day is …. humility! Ultimately I sin and need Yeshua … despite my very best personal efforts to be perfect. The more pleading I do for Mashaich’s protection the closer I get to purity!
Shalom
Thank you Michael and Drew for your appreciated comments.
Thank you Michael.
Skip,
Despite the many lectures of yours I have sat under I continue to be informed, challenged, and changed. Thank you. The clarity continues to arrive into my heart. With each question answered, more questions arise. Growth means change, and change requires trust and obedience. I am grateful to you and this community.
Well put Roderick,
Hope all is well with you.