The Israelites of Micah’s time did religion very well. They just didn’t live it very well.
We tend to think of prophesying as telling the future, but that’s not the primary function of prophecy. Mostly, prophets delivered a message from God—often a hard message.
Micah wasn’t so much about “here’s what’s coming! Look out!” He was more about “Shape up, folks!”
I think we’re in a “shape up” moment, don’t you?
With what should I approach the Lord
and bow down before God on high?
Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings,
with year-old calves?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with many torrents of oil?
Should I give my oldest child for my crime;
the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit?
He has told you, human one, what is good and
what the Lord requires from you:
to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8, CEB)
This coming Sunday is Trinity Sunday. It is also Peace with Justice Sunday.
Peace. With justice.