In Micah 6:1–8, we learn that our outward actions can never please God. We need Him to step in and drastically change our hearts.

The Lord’s Indictment (vv. 1–5)

In the first few verses, the Lord calls on the mountains as judges because they have existed for ages. While men come and go, these mountains have remained, becoming witnesses of God’s faithfulness and the Israelites’ unfaithfulness.

We see God’s love for His people in these verses as He grieves their hardness of heart. He points to evidence of His faithfulness to them throughout the years. He rescued them through the Exodus. He refused to let Balaam curse them. In everything before the Jordan (Shittim) and everything after the Jordan (Gilgal), God has been faithful.

Man’s Attempt (vv. 6–7)

In these verses, the Israelites understand that they have sinned, and they discuss what they could possibly do to please the Lord. They suggest giving calves, rams, oil, and even their firstborn to appease His wrath. But no matter how extravagantly we give in an attempt to take away our sin, it’s never enough.

Although some of the Israelites’ ideas on how to please God seem ridiculous, we actually do the same thing, offering creaturely things to try to satisfy the Creator. Why are you kind to people? Why are you honest? Why are you joyful? Why do you read the Bible, pray, or tell others about Jesus? If your answer is, “To please God,” you cannot do it. You need something else — or Someone else — to act for you.

The Lord’s Requirement (v. 8)

Now that we’ve seen that no outward action can please God, we may be surprised to see what God does require of us in verse 8. It just looks like more actions, but there’s a difference. Micah was referencing Deuteronomy 10. In this chapter, we see the same language of God requiring certain actions of us. Verse 16 is especially important. It says that our hearts need to be circumcised and changed. Our hearts are the key.

But how does this change of heart come about? Deuteronomy 30:6 is helpful here. It tells us that the Lord will accomplish it. It’s not our action; it’s His! We can bring nothing to the table. Paul thinks about this as he writes Colossians 2. He tells us that the circumcision of the heart will take place by Jesus cancelling out our record of debt and nailing our sin to the cross.

Once our hearts are changed, we will be able to delight in the Lord, and our obedient actions will flow out of us as a natural response. We will be kind and honest and joyful, reading our Bibles and praying and telling others about Jesus not to appease God but to treasure Him.

Consider your heart! Ask God that it might be changed so that you obey Him out of joy, love, and gratitude for the greatness of His grace!