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Epiphany Season · Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany · Year A

Micah 6:1-8

God's Covenant Lawsuit / Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly

February 1, 2026

Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet, Jan Lievens
Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet, Jan Lievens, c. 1630The Art Institute of Chicago
Lievens paints it almost entirely in brown and shadow, with the basin catching the only strong light in the picture.What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah asks the question; this is the answer performed.Jan LievensA Dutch painter who shared a studio with Rembrandt as a young man, was thought his equal at the time, and has been overshadowed ever since.The Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.The Art Institute of Chicago
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 5:1-12Mt 5:1-12
Epistle1 Cor. 1:18-311 Cor 1:18-31
Old TestamentMic. 6:1-8Mi 6:1-8
PsalterPs. 15Ps 15

Overview & Insights

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

God brings a covenant lawsuit against Israel, asking what wrong has been done to deserve such neglect after all God has provided. The people's question about ever-greater sacrifices is answered not with more ritual but with a summary of covenant faithfulness: justice, kindness, and humility.

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Commentary

Commentary on Micah 6:1-8Commentary on Mi 6:1-8 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary's lectionary commentary on the structure of God's covenant lawsuit.

Micah 6:1-8 CommentaryMi 6:1-8 Commentary CEP

A preaching-focused read on what the passage asks of worshippers.

Micah 6 CommentaryMi 6 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on the lawsuit and the famous summary verse.

Micah 6 CommentaryMi 6 Commentary Precept Austin

A compiled verse-by-verse resource covering the chapter's three movements.

Micah: Prophetic Critique and Pastoral ComfortMi: Prophetic Critique and Pastoral Comfort Journey with Jesus

An essay reading Micah's call to justice and mercy against the whole book's shape.

Background & Word Study

Micah 6:8 InterlinearMi 6:8 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text and parsing for the summary verse on justice, kindness, and humility.

Micah 6:1-8Mi 6:1-8 Sefaria

The Hebrew text alongside translation for this Old Testament reading.

Book of Micah SummaryBook of Mi Summary BibleProject

An animated overview of Micah's message of judgment balanced with hope.

Micah 6 - Catena BibleMi 6 - Catena Bible Catena

Patristic commentary from the early church fathers on the chapter.

The Church Fathers

Micah 6Mi 6 Catena

Verse-by-verse comment from the Fathers on Micah 6.

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