How does Micah 6:6 challenge our understanding of acceptable offerings to God? Setting the Scene Micah 6:6: “With what shall I enter the LORD’s presence and bow down before God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?” The Question That Stings • Israel’s worshipper imagines the grandest sacrifices—costly burnt offerings, prime calves. • The tone is almost exasperated: “What will finally please God?” • By raising the question, Micah exposes a deeper issue: the people assume God’s favor can be purchased by ritual, while their hearts stay unchanged. Why Burnt Offerings Fall Short • Burnt offerings were commanded (Leviticus 1), yet never meant to substitute for obedience. • Repetition without repentance turns worship into performance. • Year-old calves were premium gifts, but even premium gifts cannot mask rebellion (Isaiah 1:11-15). God’s Consistent Voice Through Scripture • 1 Samuel 15:22—“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings…? To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Psalm 51:16-17—“You do not delight in sacrifice… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” • Mark 12:33—Jesus affirms loving God “is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” • Hebrews 10:5-10—Christ’s once-for-all offering fulfills what endless animal blood could not. • Romans 12:1—Believers are urged to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” What God Really Wants Micah 6:8 will answer explicitly—justice, mercy, humble walking—but 6:6 already tilts the scale: • God values the worshiper over the worship act. • He seeks integrity that matches lips and life. • External generosity without internal surrender is empty. Bringing It Home • Generous giving and church involvement matter, yet God first looks for yielded hearts. • Before we offer gifts, we examine attitudes—are we clinging to sin, harboring bitterness, resisting His Word? • Acceptable offering today begins with trusting Christ’s finished work and then living daily obedience empowered by the Spirit (Galatians 2:20; John 14:23). |
    |