Reading for January 16tth

 Read Micah 6.1-8. In 6.1-8: God demands justice above all. This speech, beginning the second collection from the eight-century prophet Micah (6.1-7.7), describes God's message to Israel as a lawsuit brought against the people . In verse 1: Elements of nature , like the mountains here, are often called to witness solemn announcements (1.2: Deut 32.1). In verse 4: Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were Israel's leaders at the time of the exodus from Egypt (Ex 4.10-17; 15.20-21). In verse 5: King Balak of Moab paid Balaam son of Beor to curse the Israelites before they entered Canaan, but God intervened (Num 22). The Israelites passed from Shittim to Gilgal when they crossed the Jordan River to enter the land of Canaan (Josh 3-4). In verses 6-8: Like other prophets (Am  5.21-24), Micah asserts that religious rituals are meaningless without the pursuit of justice in all areas of life. Comments or Questions..