Do Justice, Love Mercy
"Walk humbly with your God"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Read
What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
Through the prophet Micah, God brought his people to court with the mountains as witnesses, asking, "My people, what have I done to you?" and reminding them how he rescued them from Egypt. The people asked whether God wanted thousands of rams or rivers of oil. Micah answered: "What does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Where it is in the Bible: Micah 6:1-8
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. God's Case | 6:1-2 | God calls the mountains to listen |
| 2. "What Have I Done to You?" | 6:3-5 | God reminds his people of all he did |
| 3. What Shall I Bring? | 6:6-7 | The people ask what would please God |
| 4. What the LORD Requires | 6:8 | Justice, mercy, and humility |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Micah was a prophet from the small town of Moresheth, about 740 to 700 BC (Micah 1:1).
What was happening. Rich and powerful people were taking land from the poor and cheating in business. Leaders took bribes. And yet they still went to worship (2:2, 3:11).
What this passage is. A courtroom scene. God brings his people to court, with the mountains as the jury. But God doesn't come to destroy them. He comes to remind them who he is.
How to read it. Verse 8 is one of the most famous verses in the Bible. Read the whole passage to see what leads up to it.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4God's Case
"Hear now what the LORD says" (6:1).
God tells his prophet to speak to the mountains and hills, the oldest witnesses on earth.
"For the LORD has a case against His people" (6:2). A case is a complaint in court.
Section 2 of 4"What Have I Done to You?"
God speaks like a hurt parent. "My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!" (6:3).
God reminds them of everything he did. He brought them out of slavery in Egypt. He sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead them.
He protected them when an enemy king tried to curse them. He brought them safely into their land.
Section 3 of 4What Shall I Bring?
Now someone asks, "With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high?" (6:6).
Burnt offerings? Calves?
Thousands of rams? Ten thousand rivers of oil?
Even their own child?
The questions get bigger and more desperate. As if God could be bought.
Section 4 of 4What the LORD Requires
Then comes the answer.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (6:8).
To act justly means to be fair and do what is right, especially for people with no power.
To love mercy means to love being kind, the faithful kindness God shows.
To walk humbly with your God means to live close to God, trusting him, not proud.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "The LORD has a case against His people" (6:2) | God holds his people responsible. |
| "What have I done to you?" (6:3) | God reminds them how faithful he has been. |
| "With what shall I come before the LORD" (6:6) | People wondered what would please God. |
| "Thousands of rams" (6:7) | God can't be bought with bigger gifts. |
| "To act justly, to love mercy" (6:8) | God wants fairness and kindness. |
| "Walk humbly with your God" (6:8) | God wants to be close to us. |
Back Then
Balak and Balaam. Balak, a king of Moab, hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. God turned the curse into a blessing (Numbers 22 to 24).
Shittim to Gilgal. This was the journey across the Jordan River into the promised land (Joshua 3 to 4).
Child sacrifice was practiced by some nations around Israel. God's law strictly forbade it (Leviticus 18:21).
Literal Reader Alert
Did God want sacrifices or not? God gave his people offerings in his law. But offerings without justice and mercy were empty. God wanted their hearts and their lives.
Can I earn God's love by being just and kind? No. Micah starts with what God already did: he rescued them. Justice and mercy are how rescued people live.
What does "walk humbly" look like? Listening to God, admitting when you're wrong, and treating others as people God loves.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| God | Hurt | His people turned away after all he did (6:3) |
| The people | Anxious | They wondered what God wanted (6:6-7) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which one is hardest for you? Tap one.
Act justly
Being fair, especially to people who can't stand up for themselves.
Love mercy
Being kind, even when someone doesn't deserve it.
Walk humbly
Staying close to God instead of trying to be the best.
All three
Everyone falls short. Jesus did all three perfectly, for you.
You Might Have Heard
"Religion is about rituals and rules."
What's true: Worship and good habits matter.
What the passage is mainly about: God doesn't want bigger offerings. He already told us what is good: be fair, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. Faith shows up in how we treat people.
Where Jesus is: Jesus acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with his Father, all the way to the cross. He gave himself, the one offering God truly accepts.
Good News
The people asked, "What can I bring?" God had already given everything.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good" (6:8).
God rescued his people first. In Jesus, he rescued us. Now we get to walk with him, doing justice and loving mercy.
God doesn't want bigger offerings. He wants us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with him.
Big Idea
God brought his people to court and reminded them of all he had done. What does the LORD require? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that we don't do good works to make God love us. God already loves us in Christ. Good works are for our neighbor, who needs our justice and mercy.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Micah 6:1-8 on the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, next to the Beatitudes.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
How did that feel?
You finished Do Justice, Love Mercy.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Year AFirst reading, Micah 6:1–8
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Do Justice, Love Mercy, explained in plain words. God takes his people to court and tells them what he really wants. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/do-justice-love-mercy/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church