Here Micah begins his address to the faithful, who were a remnant among that people; for though the infection had nearly extended over the whole body, there were yet a few, we know, who sincerely worshipped God. Hence Micah, that he might not dishearten God’s children by extreme terror, reasonably a... [ Continue Reading ]
There follows, however, a fuller explanation, when he says, that _many nations would come _He said only before that nations would come: but as David, even in his age, made some nations tributary to himself, the Prophet here expresses something more, — that _many nations would come; _as if he had sai... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet here describes the fruit of Divine truth, — that God would restore all nations to such gentleness, that they would study to cultivate fraternal peace among themselves, and that all would consult the good of others, having laid aside every desire for doing harm. As then he has lately show... [ Continue Reading ]
Micah goes on here with the same subject, — that when the minds of men shall be disposed to acts of kindness, every one shall enjoy God’s blessing without being disturbed. There seems indeed to be two things here included, — that acts of hostility shall cease, — and that real happiness cannot exist... [ Continue Reading ]
Micah, after having spoken of the restoration of the Church, now confirms the same truth, and shows that the faithful would have reason enough to cleave constantly to their God, and to despise all the superstitions of the world, and that though they may be tossed here and there by contrary opinions,... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet pursues the same subject. But we must ever remember what I have previously reminded you of, — that the trials would be so grievous and violent that there would be need of strong and uncommon remedies; for the faithful might have been a hundred times sunk, as it were, in the deepest gulfs... [ Continue Reading ]
He then adds, _I will make the halting a remnant _By remnant he understands the surviving Church. Hence the metaphor, halting, is extended even to destruction; as though he said, “Though the Jews for a time may differ nothing from dead men, I will yet cause them to rise again, that they may become a... [ Continue Reading ]
Micah still continues the same subject, — that the miserable calamities of the people, or even their ruin, will not prevent God to restore again his Church. _Thou tower of the flock, _he says, _the fortress of the daughter of Zion, _doubt not but that God will again restore to thee thy ancient kingd... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet blends here things in their nature wholly contrary, — that the Jews were for a time to be cut off, — and that afterwards they were to recover their former state. Why, he says, _dost thou cry out with crying? _We must notice the Prophet’s design. He did not intend to overturn what he had... [ Continue Reading ]
Why then _has pain laid hold on thee as on one in travail? Be in pain, _he says, _and groan; _(132) that is, I will not prevent thee to grieve and to mourn; as though he said, “Certainly even the strongest cannot look on calamities so dreadful, without suffering the heaviest sorrow; but though God m... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet’s object here is to give some alleviation to the faithful lest they should succumb under their calamities; for, as we have stated, there were most grievous evils approaching, sufficient to overwhelm the minds of the godly. The Prophet then raises up here, with the moat suitable comfort,... [ Continue Reading ]
Consolation follows, _But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, nor understand his counsel_: for verbs in the past tense have the meaning of the present. Here the Prophet recalls the attention of the godly to a subject the most suitable to them: for when the wicked rise up so cruelly against us, we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion; for I have made thy horn _(136) _iron, and thy hoofs brass. _The Prophet here confirms what he had previously said: and he exhorts the daughter of Zion to arise; for it was necessary for her to have been cast down, so as to lie prostrate on the ground. God did no... [ Continue Reading ]