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What Does the LORD Require of You?

By Seth Dralle | Comments (7) | Posted on July 11, 2008

This week's haftarah portion, Haftarah Balak (Micah 5:6-6:8), contains perhaps one of the most powerful and moving verses in the Prophets.

Micah was a prophet that focused on the social injustices of Israel and Judah. The prophet Isaiah was a contemporary of Micah and preached much the same message. The spiritual mediocrity in worship led to social injustice and governmental corruption:

Now hear this, heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and twist everything that is straight, who build Zion in bloodshed and Jerusalem with violent injustice. (3:9-10)

Yet despite his indictment, Micah was not interested in simply venting his anger at the sins of his generation. No, rather, Micah was sent by God to correct and encourage. To set Israel on the right path. Micah reminds the people of Israel and Judah of the LORD's faithfulness, harkening back to what he did when Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel (thus the connection to this week's Torah portion). The LORD had turned Balaam's curse into blessing.

What then should Israel do? With what could they come before the LORD? Burnt offerings, yearling calves? Thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil?

Israel had offered these things, but without sincerity. The LORD had told them what he required, a change of the inner heart of man. Micah spoke to the people of God and told them these stirring words.

He has told you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Turning to the Gospels, in John 13-14, we see a supreme act of humility by our Master Yeshua. In John 13:5-20, in the midst of his disciples, the Master takes on the role of a servant and washes his disciples feet. After he cleanses the disciples, the Master said:

If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (John 13:14-15)

It is easy to fall into the misguided overemphasis upon external religion. External things are perfectly fine when done with the proper intent. But when we lose the heart of these things, we become imbalanced and divisive. Like Israel, we can lose the heart of religion. When we do, it can lead to injustice and hypocrisy. But the way of discipleship to Yeshua is one of humility and kindness. It is getting down on your knees, and washing the dirt out from between your brother's toes.

In our movement, as well as in other denominations, synagogues, and churches, there are dysfunctional families and fractured congregations. We bear grudges, we disagree over halachah, we gossip about each other and insist upon our way as we perpetuate the long-standing worship-wars. Yet, is God in all of this? Would he be pleased with the sacrifices of relationship that we have laid upon his altar? Are those we have burned acceptable as burnt offerings?

There will never be a lack of issues we can disagree on. Unity won't come when we have argued everything out. We need to realize that we are already united in Messiah. He calls to love one another and take on the role of a servant. We must stop looking to our own interests and instead look at our brothers and sisters in the Messiah.

As Sabbath approaches, may we truly seek "what is good" and "what the LORD requires" of us. This Sabbath, if someone says something during a teaching you don't agree with, affirm something you do agree with. If during worship, someone plays a song you don't like, remember that worship isn't about your personal tastes. During fellowship or oneg, sit by someone you normally don't sit with (or even someone you don't like!) Try to greet everyone in your congregation. Smile! Be social. Break up your clique. You'd be surprised how forcing yourself to do these things can change your attitude.

Developing an attitude of humility takes time and maturity. It requires daily reminders and a renewal of our minds in order to overcome pride and arrogance. That's the purpose of God's mitzvot. They are training in righteousness. One such mitzvah, Grace After Meals, plays a key role in this. Grace After Meals is a constant reminder that everything we have comes from the LORD. He is Good and Compassionate. He provides for our needs.

First Fruits of Zion has just released our line of Messianic Grace After Meals resources entitled "Breaking Bread" and "We Thank You." You can view sample of these materials and hear audio samples of the accompanying melodies on our Resources page: http://ffoz.org/resources/prayer/breaking_bread.html.

Walk humbly and you will have Shabbat shalom.

About the Author: Seth Dralle is the fulfillment and shipping department manager and a research and teaching assistant for FFOZ. He is also a contributor to messiah magazine, the Monthly eRosh and the Torah Club Online Dictionary.

Visitor Comments

Seth. thank you for this article. One can tell that you wrote it by the leading of the Spirit. May HaShem bless you.

Posted by: Frances Denman | July 13, 2008 9:55 AM

Lord bless you Seth!

This was an excellent reminder for us all. I have been reminded lately about some times that in my excitement and zeal for learning new things, I have failed to put others first. May we continue to apply ourselves to learning one of Messiahs most crucial teachings: Humility! Shalom to you and yours. Jim

Posted by: Jim Denman | July 13, 2008 10:10 AM

You did well Seth,

I enjoyed your article. Your point on not agreeing with something said during a teaching, but rather finding something good of the teaching hits home. I have heard more misfired criticism concerning Christians in Messianic congregations during teaching or in Torah based literature. I had never heard one negative response in the Christian congregation I was attending for fourteen years concerning the Torah movement or a Messianic congregation. I do believe we need to humble ourselves in different areas of our congregations, but not at the expense of turning a blind eye to bashing those who do not measure up to our set of beliefs, or who have been misguided through the years, for the cause of pumping up a Torah lifestyle. I do believe that as the Master humbled Himself to His disciples, so His disciples now need to mimic their Master. Actions speak louder than words, and when mixed with a humbled heart speak volumes.

Many blessings to you

***Seth's Response*** I completely agree. Church bashing only builds up the speaker's own sense of ego, not Messiah or his Body. Often, the reason for this is to cover up our own insecurities by putting down others. It's no different than the childish name calling that takes place on the playground.

Intelligent criticism has its place, but we must "speak the truth in love." How many people came to Torah by someone beating them over the head with it? I doubt very many. No, rather, God graciously and patiently beckoned us to the knowledge of his word. I was a wonderful process of discovery. And we haven't arrived yet either. We're still seeking, just as our brothers and sisters in Messiah continue to. So let's not ruin the richness of God's Word by spewing hatred and intolerance. Let your words be seasoned with salt.

Posted by: Anthony M | July 13, 2008 6:45 PM

What beautiful words. The L-RD has certainly spoken to me through this.

I attend an EV Free Church while convinced that I should submit to the Torah. It is difficult at times - sorting out what is scriptural and what is traditional. It is so easy to become callous toward those who attend this church but your article confirmed what I need to do.

Thank you for speaking the truth in love.

Blessings!

Paul

Posted by: Paul H Dunlap | July 13, 2008 10:31 PM

I have been meditating on Micah 6:8 pretty much all week, I have had to except a pretty difficult decision, to let go of a hope that I had set in my heart, and now I'm just fighting to let go, humble myself and say, "Your Will Be Done".....Micah 6:8 speaks to the very essence of what I must reflect on and do.

shalom, and thanks for sharing this article.

Posted by: D.A. Fluker Jr. | July 14, 2008 12:02 PM

I love this instruction! To me it is like the "Love the Lord our God will all your heart..." and when I hear it my head receives it as a promise. Which just usually makes no sense to most folks. But by my life He has taught me all this means only ALL of me is required. Not all of someone else's ability, faith, resources, great mind, whatever. Only what I have today. And what I can do tomorrow. And with all the stregnth, and understanding, to commit to Him the next day. Not someone else's great faith. Just all I have, right now. We who do not have Einstein's mind do not have to give it to God. Just all we do have. To walk humbly is to walk all of me, but not all of the guy who's got so much more than I contain. I love it. I don't have to do more than I can. Only ALL I can for Him. And who knows better what I can give, or do, than the Holy One? If He asks it, I can do it. Or He would not require it of me. I love it. I find it most reassuring.

Posted by: A. Lejune | July 18, 2008 11:17 PM

Please, clarify the practice of foot washing. Is it to be observed?

**Seth's Response** I think in some contexts, foot washing can be a powerful symbol of servanthood by leadership. Yet, more generally, I think the Master was speaking mostly of the attitude of service we all must have. It is dying daily and carrying your cross.

Posted by: Yaya | July 19, 2008 4:38 PM

We Thank You offers a simple and innovative liturgy for disciples of Yeshua by weaving the ancient meal blessings of Judaism together with recently discovered prayers of the early believers.

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