In the time of the Second Temple, after the Babylonian captivity, short definitions, in one or two phrases, of what the essence of the Torah consists in were popular among Jewish theologians...
In the time of the Second Temple, after the Babylonian captivity, short definitions, in one or two phrases, of what the essence of the Torah consists in were popular among Jewish theologians. But, as is clear, this post-exilic rabbinic tradition has its roots in the prophetic tradition, which is older than the exile.
Micah also gives such a definition, singling out what is central in the Torah: just judgment, love of mercy (this is exactly how it stands in the Hebrew text), and modesty or restraint before God (what the Synodal translation calls "humble wisdom"). At first glance, such a definition cannot be considered universal: not everyone is a judge, and not everyone has to issue legal decisions. But the prophet speaks of judgment in a broader sense.
The Torah was given to a person not so that he may condemn his neighbor, but so that he may use it as an instrument when making a decision that corresponds to God's will in the concrete situation in which he has to make that decision. And in a concrete situation everyone becomes a judge for himself: everyone has to evaluate the situation itself, the actions of everyone connected with it, and his own choice. The right choice turns out to be the foundation of foundations when it comes to keeping the Torah. But the right choice is possible only if a person is oriented toward mercy from the very beginning (what the prophet calls love of mercy).
As is clear, such an orientation was not an exclusive feature of New Testament revelation. Another matter is that in the Kingdom it is simply impossible to exist without such a spiritual orientation. But even before Christ came into the world, the prophets and the righteous knew that without mercy, keeping the Torah was impossible. Indeed, the Torah presupposes the presumption of innocence, not only legal but also spiritual and moral, and it presupposes it in a world of fallen people who, by definition, cannot act in accordance with the commandments given by God without special and purposeful effort.
In order not to condemn such people in advance in such a world, in order not to presume from the start the worst intentions in their actions and deeds, mercy is needed; one must be ready to give everyone a chance to show himself a better person than, by his fallen nature, he most often turns out to be. And one must be ready to keep God's commandments even toward someone who will not be able to keep them, and may not even want to. But mercy is as little natural to fallen humanity as righteousness is. Both can be acquired only by showing the restraint before God of which the prophet speaks.
Of course, this is not about being embarrassed before God. It is about this: a person who wants to gain righteousness and mercy must follow God rather than run ahead of Him, periodically leaving the road, as a young dog sometimes runs ahead of its master in the woods. Only by following God can one receive from Him the strength and possibilities that make a righteous person righteous and give the one who wants to follow the Torah the strength to carry out that intention.
6 God charges his people with ingratitude, Мих 6:1-5.
The way to please God, Мих 6:6-8.
He sets their sins in order before them, Мих 6:9-15.
6:1 Arise - This is God's command to Micah. Contend thou - Argue the case between God and thy people; and speak as if thou wouldst make the mountains hear thee, to testify for me.
6:2 Foundations of the earth - The mountains properly so called; the sin of Israel is so notorious, that the whole creation may be summoned as a witness against them.
6:3 What have I done - What injustice or unkindness? What grievous, burdensome impositions have I laid upon thee. Wearied thee - Speak, what it is hath caused thee to be weary of me?
6:4 And Miriam - A prophetess to be assistant to her brothers, and to be an example and a counsellor to the women.
6:5 Shittim - This is the place where Balak began by the women of Midian to debauch Israel as Baalim had counselled, and so continued to do, even to Gilgal, all along the borders of his dominion.The righteousness - His mercy, justice and veracity.
6:6 Wherewith - One whose heart was touched by the preceeding expostulation, may be supposed to make this enquiry.
6:7 Thousands - Ever so many. Ten thousands of rivers - Were it possible to give them.
6:8 He - God hath already told you in his word, with what you ought to come before him. To do justly - To render to every one their due, superiors, equals, inferiors, to be equal to all, and oppress none, in body, goods or name; in all your dealings with men carry a chancery in your own beasts, and do according to equity. To love mercy - To be kind, merciful and compassionate to all, not using severity towards any.Walk humbly with thy God - Keep up a constant fellowship with God, by humble, holy faith.
6:9 Crieth - Either by his judgments, each of which is the Lord's voice, or by his prophets. The city - To every city in Israel and Judah, but principally to Jerusalem and Samaria.The man of wisdom - Every wise man. See thy name - Will perceive God in that cry. The rod - Hear ye the voice of God in the punishments God is now sending. Appointed it - Who hath chosen it out, and strikes with it.
6:10 Yet - After so many express laws, and so many examples of punishment. Treasures - Gotten by injurious courses.
6:11 Count them pure - Approve, or acquit then as if they were righteous.
6:12 Thereof - Of Jerusalem and Samaria.
6:13 Sick - God will e're long so smite, that the strokes shall reach the heart, and make Israel heartsick of his wounds.
6:14 In the midst of thee - Thou shalt be cast down at home by thy own hands. Thou shalt take hold - This may refer either to persons or things, on which we lay hold in order to save them. Shalt not deliver - Where thou lodgest thy children, and layest up thy wealth, thither the enemy shall pursue thee; or if thou fly into other countries, it shall not be a safe refuge to thee. Which thou deliverest - For a little while.
6:15 Thou shalt not reap - An enemy shall reap it.Sweet wine - Thou shalt tread the grapes which afford sweet wine.
6:16 The statutes - The idolatrous worship was set up by Omri in the royal city. Ye - O house of Israel.That I should make thee - This will be the event. Thereof - Of the land.The reproach - The reproach threatened in the law, if my people forsake me.