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Category: Bamidbar

Covenant Expectations

Bamidbar (Numbers) 22:2–25:9 | Micha (Micah) 5:6–6:8

Through the prophet Micah, the Holy One rebuked the Israelites and reminded them that they were His nation. Here we find the connection this Haftarah has to the Torah portion. Micah tells,

My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered him, [and] from Shittim to Gilgal, in order that you might know the righteous acts of the Lord. (Micah 6:5)

The Balak reference is part of Micah’s historical review, intended to provoke Israel to repentance. The final section of the Haftarah, Micah 6:6-8, at first seems to reflect a repentant Israel seeking to come back to God. However, the sarcasm of Israel’s response to the prophet is unmistakable.

First the worshipper says, Shall I bring simple burnt offerings or calves? Then, he puts the bid higher by asking if the Lord would rather thousands of such sacrifices. He raises the stakes even higher by offering to bring costly oil. Finally, he says in verse 6:7 that he will even bring his own children to be offered by the Lord. The implication Israel makes here is that nothing would be good enough to satisfy God, so why even bother trying?

Do Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly

To all of this, Micah poetically teaches the sinful worshipper the correct answer,

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)

The first time I can remember reading these words was when I was very young and I saw them written in beautiful script engraved on a synagogue in my home town. It struck me back then that these must be important words for people to know and to follow. It is only as an adult that I can begin to understand how profound they are. We need to understand that Micah did not intend that practicing what these words teach w...

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