July 1, 2023: Haftorah - Micah 5:6-6:8
This week's Haftorah reading is from Micah 5:6-6:8. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers as he carefully analyzes ADONAI's call to action: “To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Elohim.” (Micah 6:8). It’s not about knowing the difference between right and wrong; it’s about living the difference in our daily lives. And in whatever we do, to do it as unto ADONAI!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftorah Portion:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftorah Portion – Micah 5:6-6:8
What does Adonai require of us and what do we require of ourselves? Are we expected to follow the mitzvot because of some external agency known as Yah, or are we supposed to have some inherent knowledge of appropriate action in any given circumstance? What are Adonai’s expectations of us and what is the blessing and curse of these mitzvot in response to our obeying and disobeying them.
Micah begins by saying, “The remnant of Ya’akov shall be in the midst of many peoples.” We certainly know that there will always be Jews living in the Diaspora. The Hebraic people are to be a witness of their Yah and His ways. They are to lead the people to Elohim and the people are to learn from them. Those who refuse to learn will not prosper in any form. However, anyone living in a foreign land will also have the tendency to learn bad habits from the place they dwell. This means that a purification process must take place. A removal of materialism, idolatry and self-importance
The Jewish people have always looked for the Messiah to deliver them from gentile oppression. They desired their Messiah to secure them their land, rebuild the Temple and bring shalom to Israel and the world. In fact, the prophets of old spoke in detail about Messiah’s life and work. Micah is one of the prophets that has given a number of prophecies about Yeshua from birth to His 2nd Coming, at which time He will establish His Millennial Kingdom on the earth.
Micah begins with a question in Micah 6:6, “With what shall I come before Adonai?” It ends with an answer in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, oh mortal, what is good…and what is good is not anything”, as the question implies, that the worshipper has to offer. The burnt offerings were being carried out with no change of heart. They were going through the motions…appeasing the flesh with no change in spirit, nature or character. What Adonai was looking for was action! Micah 6:8 says, “To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Elohim.” Put action to our faith! These verses are not a criticism of Biblical Judaism but a reminder of what they have always known…the motivation for physical rituals in Judaism is always the pursuit of justice, together with the love of mercy, as well, as not to act arrogantly in carrying these acts out in your life. Micah wants you to know he is not telling us anything different or new.
Elohim wants us to love as He loves, with righteousness and steadfastness; to walk carefully or wisely. It’s not what Yah wants actually, but who—Elohim wants you! He wants us to stop complaining and to act to make a difference! No one expresses this better than the prophet Micah, who shares with us 3 simple rules of life. These 3 rules encapsulate the entire 613 mitzvot commanded to us…. Micah says: “What does Adonai require of you? You should behave justly, love kindness and walk humbly with your Elohim.”
The Hebrew word “halachah” means “walking.” It’s not knowing the difference between right and wrong; it’s about living the difference in our daily lives. Yeshua came the first time and made no political changes but He called a small group of people to follow Him. He called them to walk the path of justice and shalom, even if the path is horrendously long and rough. Whatever we do, do it as unto Adonai. Living out our offering to Yah in a way that, little by little, brings justice to our small corners of the world.
We are suffering the “birth pains” of these last days but after the delivery there will be extreme joy! We will go through the afflictions of the Great Tribulation, but will experience regeneration at the Messiah’s 2nd Coming as we are gathered to enjoy Kingdom blessings. Micah describes Adonai’s Messianic reign, in that, He will be our Shepherd, leading and protecting and tenderly caring for His people. He will abide with us and His glory will be revealed. Our enemies will be subdued—our Prince of Peace (Sar Shalom) will cover the earth. Adonai’s government will dominate, exert power, rule justly and destroy all who oppose Him and His Bride.
Messiah will guarantee our security. Everything we depended on in the past for protection will be destroyed. He will be in our midst, and He will defend us! All witchcraft, soothsaying and idolatrous images will be destroyed by His power. Micah 5:12-14 promises, “Thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. And I will pluck up thine idols.” In Micah 6:5 he mentions the incident of Balak hiring the sorcerer Balaam to curse the Jewish people. Micah prophecies about what will occur after the war of Gog and Magog, Yah will remove the idols and sorcerers and destroy the enemies of Yah. Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Elohim forbade the nation to engage in such practices. The time is now to make things right!
So, to sum up, Micah’s words should be taken in parallel with the story of Balak, Balaam and his she-donkey. People can be turned around. Repentance is possible, and love of justice, mercy and lack of arrogance are their own reward.
What did the Messiah require of His people? What does the Messiah require of us? During His Millennial reign He will require total submission to His sovereign rule. He is still desiring our surrender to His will and to His way—today! Deep down we all know that the teaching of Torah needs to be internalized and put into practice—not yesterday, not today, but always in the eternal NOW.
If our tents are really ‘good’, as they are according to Balaam, then Micah reinforces this point. We all know, either from Yah Himself, or as part of our intrinsic knowledge, what is good, so let’s go out and practice it! It’s time to change our lives and walk in purity for our Bridegroom, being a Bride without spot or wrinkle. How exciting it is that we are on the edge of Messiah’s return. Messiah will rule and reign and we will live in shalom!
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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It is time to surrender your life to Him today…act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your Yah. Let us gather watchmen and we will see you at the altar!
Shalom Aleichem