MICAH CHAPTER 3 Micah reproveth the cruelty of the princes, MICAH 3:1,
and the falsehood of the prophets, MICAH 3:5. His zeal in showing the
sins of the princes, priests, and prophets, and their illgrounded
security, MICAH 3:8. AND I SAID: in further discharge of his prophetic
office, and his direct... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HATE THE GOOD: in practice and affection these rulers were
directly contrary to what they should have been and done, they hated
not only to do good, but they hated the good which was to be done, and
those that did it; and what kind of men may we judge they were who
hated good men, and what was g... [ Continue Reading ]
EAT; maintain themselves and their followers, nay, live in luxury and
excess, revelling in banquets and feasts, as the word is many times
used, AMOS 6:4. THE FLESH; the estates, goods, and livelihood of their
subjects, neighbours, and brethren. MY PEOPLE; whom I have chosen,
maintained, and allotted... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN; when that time and those miseries which Micah foretells shall
come upon them, MICAH 1:6 2:3, when God shall retaliate and pay these
great ones in their own coin. They; the cruel oppressors, these
tyrannical judges, that pitied none, devoured all, and feared not the
Divine vengeance. CRY UNTO T... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD: now Micah in the name of the Lord foretells what
shall become of false prophets, he had frankly dealt with the
seculars, now he deals as plainly with the ecclesiastics. CONCERNING
THE PROPHETS THAT MAKE MY PEOPLE ERR: though he give them the title
they assume to themselves, yet... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; because of their irreligious and atheistical pretences to
Divine revelations, and to come from heaven with promises directly
contrary to God's purpose and word, even when their consciences told
them they did lie herein. Night of ignorance, and loss of gifts; but
since they had none such a... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN; in the days of this calamity, which shall confute all the
flattering promises of these prophets. THE SEERS, who called
themselves, were accounted by others, and were advised with as men
that had visions from God, were prophets in name and repute with the
deceived people. BE ASHAMED; their impo... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT TRULY, notwithstanding this shame and silence covering these false
prophets, yet, saith Micah, I AM FULL OF POWER; courage, vivacity, and
ability, becoming a prophet of God. BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD; not
from himself, but from the Spirit of God given to him, and duly
qualifying him to the faith... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse is word for word the same in the former part of it with the
former part of the first verse of this chapter; we refer thither for
explication of it. The prophet having asserted his Divine call, and
avowed his faithfulness in the prophetic office, MICAH 3:8, he here
gives us one more proof... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY; heads, princes, judges, and great ones among them. BUILD UP;
enlarge or beautify, and fortify. ZION; the houses in Zion, or perhaps
may be meant the temple and its buildings, and the royal palace of the
kings of Judah. WITH BLOOD; with wealth and gifts which these builders
made themselves mast... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEADS THEREOF JUDGE FOR REWARD; whereas the judges were God's
deputies, to hear and determine causes, as the merit of the causes
were found, without respect of persons, they should have been careful
to give such judgment as God would give; for the judgment is the Lord
s, and he sits in the midst... [ Continue Reading ]
By this it appears that this sermon was preached to Judah and its
governors, priests, and prophets, who were thus wicked in Ahaz's time,
and probably continued so in the beginning of Hezekiah's time.
Jeremiah puts this out of all doubt, JEREMIAH 26:18, saying that Micah
spake these words to all Juda... [ Continue Reading ]