CHAPTER IV _In the commencement of this chapter we have a glorious prophecy_ _of the establishment and prosperity of the Messiah's kingdom;_ _its peaceful character, increasing spiritual and political_ _influence, ultimate universality, and everlasting duration_, 1-4. _Then breaks in a chorus... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:2. Micah 4:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:3. Micah 4:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:4. _UNDER HIS VINE AND UNDER HIS FIG TREE_] A proverbial expression, indicative of perfect peace, security, and rural comfort. See on Isaiah 2:1. This verse is an addition to the prophecy as it stands in Isaiah. Micah 4:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:5. _EVERY ONE IN THE NAME OF HIS GOD_] This shall be the state of the Gentile world; but after the captivity, the Jews walked in the name of Jehovah alone; and acknowledge no other object of religious worship to the present day.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:6. _WILL I ASSEMBLE HER THAT HALTETH - DRIVEN OUT - AFFLICTED_] Under these epithets, the state of the Jews, who were to be gathered into the Christian Church, is pointed out. They _halted_ between the true God and idols; they were _driven out_ into captivity, because of this idolatry;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:7. _HER THAT HALTED A REMNANT_] I will preserve them as a distinct people after their return from captivity, for the farther purposes of my grace and mercy. _AND THE LORD SHALL REIGN OVER THEM IN MOUNT ZION_] The _Chaldee_ is remarkable here, and positively applies the words to the Me... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _O TOWER OF THE FLOCK_] I think the temple is meant, or Jerusalem; the place where the _flock_, the whole _congregation_ of the people assembled to worship God. _Newcome_ retains the Hebrew word עדר _eder_, a tower in or near _Beth-lehem_, Genesis 35:21 or, as some think, a tower near the _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. IS THERE _NO KING IN THEE?_] None. And why? Because thou hast rejected Jehovah thy king. _IS THY COUNSELLOR PERISHED?_] No: but thou hast rejected the words and advices of the prophets. _PANGS HAVE TAKEN THEE_] He is speaking of the desolations that should take place when the Chaldeans sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:10. _THERE SHALT THOU BE DELIVERED_] There God shall meet thee; and by redeeming thee from thy captivity, bringing thee back to thine own land, and finally converting thee unto himself, shall deliver thee from the _burden_ of grief and wo which thou now bearest, and under which thou do... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:11. _MANY NATIONS ARE GATHERED AGAINST THEE_] The Chaldeans, who were composed of many nations. And, we may add, all the surrounding nations were their enemies; and rejoiced when the Chaldean army had overthrown Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and led the people away captive. _LET HE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:12. _BUT THEY KNOW NOT THE THOUGHTS OF THE LORD_] These think that God has utterly rejected his people, and they shall have a troublesome neighbour no more: but this is not his design; he will afflict them for a time; but these, the enemies of his people, he will gather as _sheaves_ in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 4:13. _ARISE AND THRESH, O DAUGHTER OF ZION_] This refers to the subject of the preceding verse. When God shall have _gathered_ _together_ all thy enemies, as into the _threshing-floor_, he will give thee _commission_ and _power_ to get a complete victory over them, and reduce them to se... [ Continue Reading ]