Scripture Reading : Micah 6
Theme : Walking Humbly with God
Divine Lawsuit (1-8). God is pictured as a lawyer who sues Judah for violating their covenantal relationship. Mountains act symbolically as jurors or judges. The Lord asks Judah, “Did I wearied you?” Is that why you have rebelled against me? Judah has become a treacherous and unthankful nation after all that God has done for it. The Jews thought outward ceremonial acts are the core of their relationship with God. But God rebukes them and shows them that the heart of their relationship is to walk humbly with Him, i.e. to have a humble heart that is committed to have a relationship with Him. As a result of that humble commitment, they should be just and kind like Him. Outward ceremonial acts should naturally be the results of this commitment, but are not the essence of that relationship.
Divine Wrath (9-16). Because Judah rejects the righteous God, they also rejects righteousness. They are engaged in deceitful acts to enrich themselves. They are full of violence and lies. They are just like Omri and his son, Ahab, who encouraged the northern kingdom, Israel, to engage in gross idolatry. So God will destroy Judah just as He destroyed Israel for its idolatry.
Praying the Scripture
- God is a kind God who does not weary His children (Matt. 11:28). His laws are meant to lead us to spiritual safety and blessings. May we have a right view of God and draw close to Him. He has high standards but is also a gracious God. His standards are designed for our spiritual good, not to weary us. We weary because of our sins and sinful priorities. We exhaust ourselves to chase after earthly temporal goods or sinful things, instead of eternal, glorious ones, which is good for us and make our souls more like Christ. May we have a right view of God and seek the good of our eternal soul.
- May we never think God is pleased with our outward behaviour when our internal heart does not find joy in Him. When we do not find joy in Him, pray that God will change our heart (Eph. 3:18-19) and correct any misconception of God that is hindering our relationship with Him. God is the most glorious being in the universe, to be with Him is to be complete. May God grow our soul to praise Him and live for Him.
经文：弥迦书6
主题：谦卑与神同行
神的诉讼（1-8）。这里，神似律师，控告犹大违反已约定的关系。山岭象征的是陪审员或法官。主试问犹大：“我是否使你厌烦？这是否是你违背我的原因？”神为犹大行了大事，但犹大却不感恩，还变得奸诈。犹太人以为形式上的礼仪是与神维持关系的核心。然而，神责备他们，并显示这关系的重心是要与神谦卑同行，即有委身于亲近神的谦卑之心。这种谦卑委身的结果是与神一样公正、良善。外在的礼仪当自然而然因着这个委身实行，却不是这关系的中心。
神的愤怒（9-16）。由于犹大拒绝了公义的神，所以他们也拒绝了公义。他们充实自己的方式是从事奸诈的行为。他们充满暴行和谎言。他们就如暗利和他的儿子亚哈，直鼓励北国以色列行拜偶像的勾当。因此，神会消灭犹大，就如祂因以色列拜偶像而消灭他们一样。
用经文祷告
- 神是良善的神；祂不会使自己的儿女厌烦（太11:28）。祂的律例是为领我们走向属灵安地和祝福而设的。愿我们对神有正确的认识，亲近神。神有高标准，但也满有恩典。祂的标准是为我们灵性的好处而设，不是要使我们厌烦。我们之所以觉得厌烦是因为自己有罪，生命的重心也是罪恶的。我们追寻世俗的物品或罪恶的事情，而不是永恒、荣耀之事，所以才会厌倦疲劳；后者则对我们有益，使我们的灵魂更像基督。愿我们对神有正确的认识，并为我们永恒的灵魂寻求益处。
- 愿我们不会认为当自己的内心并不因神喜悦时，神会对我们的外在行为感到满意。当我们不喜悦于神时，祈求神能改变我们的心（弗3:18-19），并纠正我们对神的错误理解，导致我们无法亲近神。神是宇宙间最荣耀的；与祂同在就是完全。愿神使我们的灵魂得长进，能赞美祂，为祂而活。
