MICAH CHAPTER 5 The birth of Christ foretold, MICAH 5:1; his kingdom, MICAH 5:4; his complete conquest over his enemies, MICAH 5:8. This verse is, say some, a sharp sarcasm against Israel's enemies. Others will have it to be a repetition of the evils, and a description how far those evils should pre... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, Heb. AND. BETH-LEHEM; not in the tribe of Zebulun JOSHUA 19:15, but in the tribe of Judah, styled therefore Beth-lehem of Judah, Matt. it. 1, 6. EPHRATAH; so called, say some, from Caleb's wife; but that is not probable, for it had the name long before Caleb's wife was thought of, as appears, G... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, or nevertheless, as the particle will bear, WILL HE, God, the God of Israel, GIVE THEM UP, to the Chaldeans, to be wasted by them, and to be led into captivity, and to be afflicted there for their sins committed in their own land against God, until the time, until seventy years be expired... [ Continue Reading ]
HE, the Ruler born in Bethlehem, the Messiah, shall stand: sometimes this posture denoteth the ministry of a servant, but here it speaks the readiness, cheerfulness, firmness, and stability of both the ruler, his government, and kingdom. FEED; as a Shepherd that does diligently watch over, guide, pr... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse, as the former, is abstruse, and the particulars are not easily accommodated to times and things. AND THIS; so the Hebrew, and it may be read as the neuter gender, and be referred to time, or thing, or both, following in the text, thus: At that time this thing shall be our peace, viz. whe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY, the seven shepherds and eight principal men, i.e. those great, wise, and successful instruments of God's revenge, and of his church's deliverance, SHALL WASTE THE LAND OF ASSYRIA WITH THE SWORD: this passage seems to point to the Babylonians, who did invade, waste, and subdue the Assyrian... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REMNANT OF JACOB; both the remnant which surviveth the sacking and burning of their city and temple, and, carried captive, live in a scattered condition; and the whole remnant, according to the election of grace, whether of Jacob after the flesh or after the Spirit. IN THE MIDST OF MANY PEOPLE;... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MIDST OF MANY PEOPLE; see MICAH 5:7; who are enemies, that do injure them. AS A LION for strength and courage, which _the beasts of the forest_ dare not oppose: and cannot resist, so Should this remnant; much like that LEVITICUS 26:8. AS A YOUNG LION AMONG THE FLOCKS OF SHEEP; a second allusi... [ Continue Reading ]
THINE; Messiah, or a people of God, nay both, forasmuch as whatever these can do, they do it, not in their own power, but in Christ's power. THINE HAND; thy strength and power, for so does the Scripture usually express strength or might. SHALL BE LIFTED UP UPON THINE ADVERSARIES; shall be greatly ex... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY; when the threats against the enemies, and the promises to the people of God, shall be made good. SAITH THE LORD: this is added for assuring the performance of the things foretold. I WILL CUT OFF THY HORSES; not in judgment, but in mercy, for there shall be no such need of them, nor shal... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I, the Lord thy God, and thy Saviour, will cut off the cities; cut off the occasion of thy fortifying thy cities as heretofore thou hast done, thou shalt dwell in unwalled towns, and need no other defence than what I am to thee. AND THROW DOWN ALL THY STRONG HOLDS; demolish all thy forts, and wa... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse the Lord foretells the downfall of all unlawful arts which had been in use, though forbidden by the law of God, LEVITICUS 20:27. Though Israel should have consulted with God alone, yet they did consult with sorcerers. So did Manasseh, and before him, 2 KINGS 17:17. THOU SHALT HAVE NO M... [ Continue Reading ]
THY GRAVEN IMAGES; which were for the matter of them made of wood or stone, smoothed, and fashioned to the images, which the blind idolater thought did well represent his god. STANDING IMAGES: statues erected in places chosen for the purpose, fixed that they move not, had this different name from th... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PLUCK UP THY GROVES: the groves where some of them abused in downright idolatrous worship, others of them used superstitiously, thus beside the word; the other way, quite against the word: but after the return from Babylon, there was a great reformation in this point, and after the appearing... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL EXECUTE VENGEANCE: God speaks to our capacity, he will proceed, or act, as the Hebrew word signifieth. He is supreme Judge, to whom vengeance belongeth, and when he hath passed the sentence, and his instruments execute it, he takes it to himself: so when the Babylonians avenged the wrongs by... [ Continue Reading ]