Forming Faith Blog

Mercy, Justice, and Peace (Micah 5 & 6)

Posted on November 3 2026 by Gregory Rawn

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God’s people turned away from God. Micah warns them that there will be consequences if they continue, and gives them instructions on how God wants them to live.

Wooden cubes with word PEACE in hands of happy smiling little boy at home. Micah was calling the people to true peace.
About the Story

Things were not going well for either the northern or southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah anymore. They were being threatened by foreign armies. Assyria was one neighbor that was looming large and strong on their borders. Will God’s people survive? What are God’s people to do? Where is God?

In the midst of this confusion and chaos, God sent messengers called prophets to communicate with God’s people. The prophets pointed out how the people had turned away from God. The people had not been faithful to their covenant with God. They were worshipping idols, hurting others, and neglecting God’s will. They had turned aside to follow their own ways. They had forgotten God. But God had not forgotten them.

The prophets, like Micah, preached that God’s power would again be revealed, but perhaps not in the way the people had come to expect. Indeed, God would be working through other nations’ armies to urge the people to return to God, and, if they did not, then to punish the nations of Israel and Judah. Micah preached God’s judgment. But God also gave him words of hope and encouragement to share as well.

In the first section of our reading for this week, Micah 1:3-5, we hear of God’s anger with Israel, and God’s judgment against them. Next, in Micah 5:2-5a, we read a promise. God will again provide a good ruler. The images in this passage remind us of the promise that God made to David. This new ruler will come from Bethlehem, David’s own hometown. The image of a shepherd reminds us of David as well. God is recalling the promise made to David that his descendant would rule and affirming that God will be faithful to that promise, even though the people have been unfaithful.

We cannot help but see good news about what God did in sending Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, to be the ruler who will once and for all save God’s people from every threat—even that of sin and death. In light of God’s judgment and promise, what should be our response? Is there something we could give God by expensive purchase or painful sacrifice? No. God has told us what is good. What is pleasing to God is for us to act with justice. We are to care for others, love God in faithfulness and joy, and walk with God in the way that God leads. (Adapted from Living the Word: Small Groups)

Context Insights

The following are a few insights found in our background resource Living the Word: Contexts & Connections. Within the Contexts portion of the resource, all factual and interpretive statements are cited in the endnotes, although those citations are not included here.

  • Linguistics: Justice (Heb. mišpāt) and kindness/mercy (Heb. ḥesed) are both words that appear throughout the Hebrew Bible. They underline both the character of God and the need for God’s people to walk (Heb. hālak) with God in all areas of their lives, not just in religious rituals. The common translation of walking “humbly” (Heb. ṣn’) may also be rendered as “carefully,” “modestly,” “circumspectly,” “wisely,” or “completely.” 
  • History: During Micah’s lifetime, the Assyrian Empire began to grow more powerful. In 722 BCE, the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria, and its capital Samaria fell. The southern kingdom of Judah was not overrun, but it was made a vassal state, paying tributes and forced to bow to Assyrian religious and political authority. In the years immediately following the fall of Samaria, the population of Jerusalem increased, possibly due to an influx of refugees from the north. This population increase and the Assyrian tribute may have contributed to the economic difficulties and social exploitation that Micah addresses.
  • Authorial Intention/Occasion: Micah’s purpose for writing is to justify the destruction of Israel and Judah in the past and to envision a hope for the future. As a rural prophet, speaking to Jerusalem’s elite who hold the most economic power, his primary concern is for the moral corruption of the rich and the violence they inflict upon vulnerable people. Micah is apparently driven by his love of his nation and its people and delivers his dire warnings in hopes of avoiding the punishment they deserve.
Connections and Suggestions

We have Narrative Lectionary resources for 2026-2027 for all age groups. Here are a few activity summaries you can use. The full activity descriptions and much more are available in the product noted. 

  • Kids: To introduce the meaning of “justice,” provide students with empty paper cups or napkins. Show them a container of fish-shaped crackers. Start eating and gush about how they are delicious. Then stop and ask if students are hungry. Share with the students and discuss their experience with the activity, stating that it was an example of doing justice. Please always check for food allergies before serving food. Note: This activity looks at justice in terms of fairness and equality rather than the fuller meaning of providing everyone with what they need to thrive. Feel free to explain the fuller meaning according to the developmental stages of your students. (From Living the Word: Kids (PK-2nd))
  • Youth: Have a “four-legged” race similar to a three-legged race, but with three people connected in a line. If a team member loses their balance, the team needs to stop and count to three before moving again. In a debriefing discussion afterward, connect this to walking humbly with God and with each other. We are not physically tied together, but we are connected and are called to carefully follow God’s path of justice, kindness, and love for God. (From Living the Word: Youth)
  • Intergenerational education: Provide a six-inch square piece of solid color fabric to each participant and access to fabric markers. Ask participants to write or draw a prayer for peace on their flag. Participants who need help should be partnered with someone who can assist them. When everyone is finished, attach the flags to a clothesline or similar rope with clothespins or safety pins. Plan to hang the line of prayer flags in a public place with permission. Options: Ask participants to explain their prayers/pictures to the large or small group as they feel comfortable. (From Living the Word: Cross+Gen Education)
Daily Bible Readings

Throughout both the Narrative Lectionary year (roughly September through May) and the summer, we have created a daily Bible lectionary that corresponds with the Narrative Lectionary readings. These readings are used throughout our NL products, and you can subscribe to them digitally through our Daily Readings Calendar.

DateDayLectionTitle
11/15/2026SundayMicah [1:3-5] 5:2-5a; 6:6-8Mercy, Justice, and Peace
11/16/2026MondayAmos 2:6-16God’s Judgment on Israel
11/17/2026TuesdayAmos 5:4-13Seek the Lord and Live
11/18/2026WednesdayAmos 5:14-24The Lord Desires Justice
11/19/2026ThursdayZechariah 7:8-10Render True Judgments
11/20/2026FridayIsaiah 1:12-17Justice Better than Sacrifice
11/21/2026SaturdayIsaiah 6:1-13Isaiah’s Call
11/22/2026SundayIsaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7; 2:1-4God’s Plan for Peace
Previous Posts

This is our blog’s third go-around in the Narrative Lectionary, Year 1. Here are some previous posts on this particular passage if you are interested:

I hope you find this all useful! If you have any questions or feedback on this blog post (or anything else), comment on this post below or on Facebook, or send me a message.

In Christ,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Order Faith Formation Resources

Winter quarter begins with Advent on November 29th! Order program-year curriculum resources for the Narrative Lectionary (Year 1, 2026-2027), Revised Common Lectionary (Years A & B, 2026-2027), or Key Bible Stories (non-lectionary, PK-2nd, 3rd-6th) and download TODAY.

New RCL faith-at-home resource!

I’m excited to announce a new product series for Spirit & Truth Publishing: Taking Faith Home. Taking Faith Home is a set of weekly devotional guides (often distributed as worship bulletin inserts) that follows the Revised Common Lectionary. We offer it as a Church Year (Dec. 2026 to Nov. 2027) and a Program Year (Sept. 2026 to May 2027). You can also purchase by quarter, such as Summer and Fall. Learn more here and read a review! The 12-month Church Year starts on November 29, 2026. Order today!

Want to try it out first? Download and use the Advent guides for FREE! This offer ends on December 5, 2026.

VBS, Events, Retreats, and More!

Are you looking for resources for topical Sunday school, family/intergenerational events, retreats, and more?

Learning Together can help! This series of affordable, five-lesson units on a variety of topics can be downloaded immediately, uses basic supplies you probably already have, and is so easy to use that you can hand the leader’s guide out that day (though that’s not recommended)!

Like all of our faith formation resources, Learning Together is effective, theologically sound, and inclusive. The current topics are:

+ Paul’s Adventures (NEW!), Celebrations, Created to Care, God’s Gift of Water, Heroes of the Bible, The I AM Statements of Jesus (free!), Travelers (Immigrants and Refugees), Do Justice, Celebrations, Women of the Old Testament, and Bible 101

Building Faith has recommended two of our units as VBS curriculum: Paul’s Adventures (reviewed in 2026) and Celebrations (reviewed in 2025)!

You can also read outside reviews of both our Do Justice and Created to Care units.

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