Micah 6:1-5

God loves us unconditionally. However, God’s relationship with Israel was not unconditional; it was a covenant relationship. Covenants are a form of “if you, then I” relationships. Israel had a responsibility to live up to their side of the covenant. God had promised that if they would honor him and live righteous, then he would raise them up as his people and make them a nation. When a covenant relationship breaks down, the side that is offended can take the issue to court. Israel did not believe there was any court that could hear and adjudicate the covenant relationship between them and God. They believed God’s unconditional love bound Him to honor the covenant even though they had broken it.

The Israelites were wrong. Their unrighteousness would not cause God to quit loving them, but it would cause Him to withdraw His protection from them. Unrighteousness has consequences, and like all children, the children of God needed to learn this truth. Therefore, God took them to court. Micah stood up and pleaded the Lord’s case before creation. With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as witness, God charged Israel with breaking their covenant relationship. He charged them with failing to live in right relationship with Him, each other, and the rest of humanity. He accused them of breaking the covenant without just cause. In His own defense, God pointed out that He had kept His side of the covenant. He delivered them from slavery and brought them out of Egypt. He gave spiritual men to lead them. He delivered them from the destruction that Balak plotted and from the curse of Balaam. On the journey from Shittim to Gilgal He defeated Midian, He lead them across the Jordan, and conquered Jericho. God had saved them and given them a homeland.

Israel by their sinful actions forfeited God’s protection. God never stopped loving them, but He did not save them from the consequences of their choices. God is never unfaithful, but he will not condone wickedness.