Good for Adam
Faced with the indictment from the prophet Micah, Israel asks what it can do to pacify a scarily angry Yahweh. No number of ascensions will do the trick: What Yahweh requires is justice, covenant loyalty, humility (Micah 6:6-8).
The famous “Micah Mandate” is addressed to “man,” which translates adam . Israel is addressed as the new humanity, and also addressed as she is addressed at the beginning of Leviticus - “If any Adam among you brings near a near-bringing” (Leviticus 1:1). The use of “Adam” terminology here points to the fact that Micah is presenting to Israel the form of true sacrifice, the sacrifice of obedience, humility, and justice.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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