Micah 7:1-13
THE PRAYER OF REPENTANCE... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRAYER OF REPENTANCE... [ Continue Reading ]
Woe is me! so the prophet calls out in the name of the congregation, for I am as when they have gathered the summer-fruits, as when a few lonely stalks are left in the harvest-field, AS THE GRAPE-GLEANINGS OF THE VINTAGE, when only a few berries are left, the entire picture being one of utter desola... [ Continue Reading ]
The good man is perished out of the earth, one who can be depended upon for faithfulness, AND THERE IS NONE UPRIGHT AMONG MEN, the upright having become as scarce as early figs after the grape-harvest. THEY ALL LIE IN WAIT FOR BLOOD, Cf Psalms 10:8 ff.; THEY HUNT EVERY MAN HIS BROTHER WITH A NET, al... [ Continue Reading ]
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, literally, "upon evil are their hands to perform it well," they are glad, eager, full of zeal for the evil; THE PRINCE ASKETH, AND THE JUDGE ASKETH FOR A REWARD, seeking revenge for themselves whenever they consider their dignity hurt; AND THE GREAT M... [ Continue Reading ]
The best of them is as a brier, from which one may expect only evil and harm; THE MOST UPRIGHT, the one considered an example of virtue, IS SHARPER THAN A THORN HEDGE; THE DAY OF THY WATCHMEN, the day foretold by the true prophets, AND THY VISITATION COMETH, the judgment is at hand; NOW SHALL BE THE... [ Continue Reading ]
Trust ye not in a friend, in any with whom one might daily associate, PUT YE NOT CONFIDENCE IN A GUIDE, in a most intimate friend; KEEP THE DOORS OF THY MOUTH FROM HER THAT LIETH IN THY BOSOM, for it was not safe to place unlimited confidence in one's very wife.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the son dishonoreth the father, openly despising him, THE DAUGHTER RISETH UP AGAINST HER MOTHER, refusing her the love and honor which she owes, THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW, all the most sacred relationships being utterly broken down; A MAN'S ENEMIES ARE THE MEN OF HIS OWN HOUS... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore, so the prophet cries out, because such were the conditions, I WILL LOOK UNTO THE LORD, lifting up his eyes for salvation from the God of the covenant; I WILL WAIT FOR THE GOD OF MY SALVATION, holding out in spite of what seems a disheartening delay; MY GOD WILL HEAR ME, with an effectual,... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy, the hostile world-power in general being addressed, as from the standpoint of the Lord's people; WHEN I FALL, I SHALL ARISE, for the restoration of Israel was thought of chiefly in the spiritual sense; WHEN I SIT IN DARKNESS, suffering with the affliction brough... [ Continue Reading ]
I will bear the indignation of the Lord, with the humble submission which characterizes the repentant heart, BECAUSE I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HIM, such a free and unequivocal confession being essential if the sorrow is genuine, UNTIL HE PLEAD MY CAUSE, taking the part of His people against the enemies,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, this being the confident expectation of the Lord's people, AND SHAME SHALL COVER HER WHICH SAID UNTO ME, WHERE IS THE LORD, THY GOD? in the scornful question usually asked by the enemies of the Church. MINE EYES SHALL BEHOLD HER, with quiet satisfaction; NOW... [ Continue Reading ]
In the day that thy walls are to be built, rather, "a day of building thy walls" (is coming), so the prophet assures the believing members of His people, those who were truly awaiting the Messiah's coming, IN THAT DAY SHALL THE DECREE BE FAR REMOVED, namely, the decree which fixed a sharp line of di... [ Continue Reading ]
In that day also He shall come even to thee, the restored Zion, FROM ASSYRIA AND FROM THE FORTIFIED CITIES, from the cities of Egypt, AND FROM THE FORTRESS, namely, Egypt, EVEN TO THE RIVER, the Euphrates, to indicate all the countries lying between, AND FROM SEA TO SEA, AND FROM MOUNTAIN TO MOUNTAI... [ Continue Reading ]
Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate, the reference very likely being to the earthly Palestine, BECAUSE OF THEM THAT DWELL THEREIN, FOR THE FRUIT OF THEIR DOINGS. While the Land of Promise, which formerly flowed with milk and honey, has largely lost its fertility, the spiritual Zion, the Churc... [ Continue Reading ]
Feed Thy people with Thy rod, with a true shepherd's care, the staff being the mark of the shepherd, Zechariah 11:4 ff.; Psalms 23, THE FLOCK OF THINE HERITAGE, the possession of Jehovah, WHICH DWELL SOLITARILY IN THE WOOD, IN THE MIDST OF CARMEL, rather, "in the forest in the midst of Carmel let th... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet's Last Supplication... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt when He overthrew the enemies with a mighty hand and revealed His goodness to Israel, WILL I SHOW UNTO HIM MARVELOUS THINGS, His Church being given the wonders of His grace.... [ Continue Reading ]
The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might, because all their vaunted power would be as nothing in the sight of the almighty God; THEY SHALL LAY THEIR HANDS UPON THEIR MOUTH, in reverent silence, in extreme astonishment, THEIR EARS SHALL BE DEAF, before the thunder of Jehovah's might... [ Continue Reading ]
They shall lick the dust like a serpent, in deepest humiliation; THEY SHALL MOVE OUT OF THEIR HOLES LIKE WORMS OF THE EARTH, literally, "as those things that creep on the earth"; they shall tremble forth out of their hiding-places; THEY SHALL BE AFRAID OF THE LORD, OUR GOD, approaching to Him with t... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, in the act of justification which is the basis of the work in His Church, AND PASSETH BY THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE REMNANT OF HIS HERITAGE? in granting forgiveness to those who are His people in truth. Cf Exodus 34:6. HE RETAINETH NOT HIS ANGER FO... [ Continue Reading ]
He will turn again, so the prophet assures the believers; HE WILL HAVE COMPASSION UPON US, HE WILL SUBDUE OUR INIQUITIES, treading them down like enemies that rise up against the believers; AND THOU WILT CAST ALL THEIR SINS INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA, so that they are covered over and can no more ri... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham, as contained in the wonderful Messianic promises, WHICH THOU HAST SWORN UNTO OUR FATHERS FROM THE DAYS OF OLD. With this exalted hymn of praise Micah closes his book, speaking in a strain similar to that of Paul in Romans 11:33. We have... [ Continue Reading ]