V. (1) O DAUGHTER OF TROOPS. — This verse coheres better with the former chapter, to which it is attached in the Hebrew Version. Micah again interpolates a prediction of trouble and dismay between the sentences describing triumph and glory. The sentence of smiting the judge has its historical fulfi... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, BETH-LEHEM EPHRATAH. — This is a passage of immense significance, through the interpretation given to it by the chief priests and scribes in the Gospel of St. Matthew. Beth-lehem Ephratah: the two names, modern and ancient, are united, each of them having reference to the fertility of the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE WILL HE GIVE THEM UP. — There is a suggestion here of a parable, setting forth the smallness of Bethlehem, which gave birth to the mighty Ruler that was to come from it. So the nation was to be brought very low before the nativity of the Virgin-born.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL STAND AND FEED — _i.e.,_ He shall stand with the majesty of an assured sovereignty, uniting the dignity of king with the tenderness of a shepherd’s care — a thought which, underlying the notion of a Jewish monarch (see Psalms 78:70), becomes a distinguishing attribute of the King Messiah (I... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS MAN SHALL BE THE PEACE — _i.e._, He shall Himself be Peace (after the same idiomatic expression David speaks of himself, “For my love they are my adversaries, but _I_ am _Prayer_” — Psalms 109:4). This sentence is connected with the former instead of the following passage, with which the Au... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL WASTE. — Literally, _feed upon, consume, depasture._ The Land of Nimrod represents the opposing world-power.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A DEW FROM THE LORD. — The Jews should, on their return from captivity, pour down their influence upon the nations, as God-sent showers upon the grass. So, through the dispersion of Jewish Christians, on the death of St. Stephen, the Lord caused the knowledge of the truth with which the Jews were... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A LION AMONG THE BEASTS OF THE FOREST. — There is righteous wrath as well as all-embracing mercy with God. Christ, whose graciousness is likened to the dew, and His gentleness to the lamb, is at the same time the Lion of the tribe of Judah. At the opening of the “sixth seal” the kings of the eart... [ Continue Reading ]
IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY. — The prophet now passes on to the purification of the Church from the defilements mentioned by Isaiah (Isaiah 2:3), with reference to the ultimate holiness which shall be established “in that day.” I WILL CUT OFF THY HORSES. — The possession of horses was imperat... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CUT OFF THE CITIES. — Fenced cities and the other paraphernalia of war will be unnecessary in the Messiah’s kingdom: “they shall not learn war any more” (Micah 4:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PLUCK UP THY GROVES — _i.e._, either the statues, pillars, or trees connected with the worship of Baal and Astarte. Some such statue was placed by Manasseh even in the house of the Lord, from which it was brought out and burnt by Josiah (2 Kings 23:6). THY CITIES — _i.e.,_ the pollutions, tu... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCH AS THEY HAVE NOT HEARD. — Rather, _which have not been obedient_ — _i.e._, which had not availed themselves of the opportunities of learning the true religion.... [ Continue Reading ]