CHAPTER VI _This chapter reproves and threatens. The manner of raising the_ _attention by calling on man to urge his plea in the face of all_ _nature, and on the inanimate creation to hear the expostulation_ _of Jehovah with his people, is awakening and sublime. The words_ _of Jehovah follow_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:2. _HEAR YE, O MOUNTAINS_] Micah, as God's advocate, summons this people into judgment, and makes an appeal to inanimate creation against them. He had spoken to the priests, to the princes, to the people. He had done every thing that was necessary to make them wise, and holy, and happ... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:3. _O MY PEOPLE, WHAT HAVE I DONE UNTO THEE?_] They are called to show why God should not pronounce sentence upon them. This condescension is truly astonishing! God appears to humble himself to his creatures. You have acted basely, treacherously, and ungratefully to me; this had alread... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:4. _I BROUGHT THEE UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT_] Where you were _slaves_, and grievously oppressed; from all this I _redeemed_ you. Was this a small benefit? _I sent before thee_ MOSES, my chosen servant, and instructed him that he might be your _leader_ and _lawgiver_. _I sent with_ h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:5. _REMEMBER NOW WHAT BALAK KING OF MOAB CONSULTED_] He sent for Balaam to _curse_ your fathers; but by my influence he was obliged to _bless them_. See Numbers 22:5-4 c., and Numbers 23:5-4; Numbers 23:20-4 c., and the notes there, where this subject is largely considered. _FROM SHI... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:6. _WHEREWITH SHALL I COME BEFORE THE LORD_] Now the people, as defendants, appear; but instead of vindicating themselves, or attempting to dispute what has been alleged against them, they seem at once to _plead guilty_; and now anxiously inquire how they shall appease the wrath of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:7. _WILL THE LORD BE PLEASED WITH THOUSANDS OF RAMS_] These might be _procured_, though with difficulty; but conscience says neither will these do. _WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF RIVERS OF OIL_] This is _absurd_ and _impossible_; but could even these be procured, could they all make atonement... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _HE HATH SHOWED THEE, O MAN, WHAT_ IS _GOOD_] All the modes of expiation which ye have proposed are, in the sight of God, unavailable; they cannot do away the _evil_, nor purify from the _guilt_ of sin. He himself has shown thee what is _good_; that which is _profitable_ to _thee_, and _ple... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _THE LORD'S VOICE CRIETH UNTO THE CITY_] No man is found to hear; but the _man of wisdom_ will hear, תושיה _tushiyah_; a word frequent in the writings of Solomon and Job, signifying wisdom, wealth, substance, reason, essence, happiness; any thing that is complete; or that which is substanti... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:10. _ARE THERE YET THE TREASURES OF WICKEDNESS_] Such as false balances and deceitful weights. See on Hosea 12:7. This shows that they were not DOING JUSTLY. They did not _give to each his_ _due_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:12. _FOR THE RICH MEN THEREOF ARE FULL OF VIOLENCE_] This shows that they did not _love mercy_. _THE INHABITANTS THEREOF HAVE SPOKEN LIES_] This shows that they did not _humble themselves to walk with God_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:13. _WILL I MAKE THEE SICK IN SMITING THEE_] Perhaps better, "I also am weary with smiting thee, in making thee desolate for thy sins." They were corrected, but to no purpose; they had stroke upon stroke, but were not amended.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:14. _THOU SHALT EAT, BUT NOT BE SATISFIED_] All thy possessions are cursed, because of thy sins; and thou hast no _real_ _good_ in all thy enjoyments. _AND THY CASTING DOWN_] For וישחך _veyeshchacha_, "thy casting down," _Newcome_, by transposing the ח and ש, reads ויחשך _veyechshach_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:15. _THOU SHALT SOW, BUT THOU SHALT NOT REAP_] Thou shalt labour to amass property, but thou shalt not have God's blessing; and whatever thou collectest, thy enemies shall carry away. And at last carry thyself into captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 6:16. _THE STATUTES OF OMRI ARE KEPT_] _Omri_, king of Israel, the father of Ahab, was one of the worst kings the Israelites ever had; and _Ahab_ followed in his wicked father's steps. The _statutes_ of those kings were the very grossest _idolatry_. _Jezebel_, wife of the latter, and dau... [ Continue Reading ]