Micah 7:7-20

Israel's Confession of Faith. This undoubtedly post-exilic utterance of Israel's confidence in. Yahweh's delivering intervention falls into three portions, probably once distinct, viz. Micah 7:7 (the time of Messianic deliverance will come); Micah 7:11 (Jerusalem will be repeopled); Micah 7:14 (Yahweh will renew His kindness to Israel). The first and third of these have numerous affinities with the Psalter; the second, by its anticipation of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, dates itself between 586 and 444 B.C. Israel proclaims her confidence in the deliverance ( salvation) from her heathen oppressors which is about to come from Yahweh (Psalms 5:3; Psalms 13:05 b, Psalms 25:5). Let not the foe prematurely rejoice (Obadiah 1:2), for Israel falls to rise (when, both times, should be though), and Yahweh will turn her present darkness into light (Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 58:10). Yahweh's wrath (inferred from national calamities; cf. 2 Kings 23:26) is due to the sin which Israel now confesses (Psalms 51:4 ff., Isaiah 42:24 f.), and the time will come (Psalms 103:9) when Yahweh will Himself vindicate His people. Then Israel shall be satisfied with vengeance (Ob. passim) on the foe who mocked Israel's God (Psalms 79:10; Psalms 115:2; Joel 2:17). When the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt (cf. 2 Kings 25:10), the boundary (Micah 7:11 mg.) of Israel's territory will be enlarged (Isaiah 26:15; Isaiah 33:17 cf. Zechariah 2:4), and the Jews, now dispersed throughout the world, will return (Ezekiel 34:13; Isaiah 27:12; Psalms 107:2; the river is the Euphrates (cf. Deuteronomy 1:7); the references to sea and mountain are general). The whole earth (not land) shall be laid waste (Isaiah 24:4 f.) because of heathen sin (Micah 7:11). Yahweh is invoked to shepherd (cf. Micah 2:12) with His club (Psalms 23:4) His chosen flock, now isolated on the wooded hills of Judæ a in the midst of a fertile land denied to them; let Him restore their lost pasture-grounds (Jeremiah 50:19). Yahweh promises to parallel the miracle of the Exodus, so that the heathen shall be struck deaf and dumb (Job 21:5; Job 40:4), and prostrate themselves humbly before Yahweh (Psalms 72:9; Isaiah 49:23). Israel declares the uniqueness of Yahweh, and glories in His loving-kindness (Psalms 103:3); He will trample upon Israel's sins, and render faithfulness and kindness (Exodus 34:6) to the descendants of the patriarchs (here named as epitomising Israel) according to His promises (Genesis 22:16 ff; Genesis 28:13, etc.).

Micah 7:14. heritage (cf. Deuteronomy 32:9). Read garden for Carmel (its literal meaning), and for the contrast implied cf. Isaiah 32:15, last clause, the same word being there rendered fruitful field; Jeremiah 4:26 mg. In Micah 7:15, we should probably emend to Shew unto us.

Micah 7:18. Cf. Exodus 15:11; Psalms 77:13; the comparison with other gods survived into post-exilic monotheism.

Micah 7:19. There is no exact parallel to the figure of trampling upon sin, but cf. Genesis 4:7; Psalms 65:3 a, where sin is personified as man's enemy.