_Hear, O heads of Jacob_, &c. That the justice of God, in bringing upon them the punishments which he had threatened, might more evidently appear, the prophet here shows that there was no rank of them free from very grievous crimes; that even those, who ought to have excelled others in piety and vir... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets_ As the prophets prophesied falsely, and it was chiefly through their means that the princes bore rule, the prophet next addresses them, and lets them hear their doom; _that make my people err_ That lead them into mistakes, both concerning what they shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore night shall be unto you_ Darkness, uncertainty, perplexity, and heavy troubles, shall be to you prophets; _that ye shall not have a vision_ You shall see your predictions so fully confuted, that you shall no more pretend to have a vision, or dare to foretel any thing. _And the sun shall g... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord_ Here Micah speaks of himself by way of contrast to the false prophets, and declares that he was filled with a divine prophetic influence, and not with dainties, wine, and strong drink, like those false pretenders to prophecy; _and of judgment_ To... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear this, ye heads of the house of Jacob_, &c. This address to the great men, shows the prophet's courage and impartiality. _That abhor judgment_, &c. Who do not love to pass a right judgment in matters that come before you, because you make no advantage to yourselves by so doing; but covet to hav... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore shall Zion for your sake_ That is, because of your transgressions, ye judges, priests, and prophets; _be ploughed as a field_ “There is nothing which hinders us from referring this prophecy to the first destruction of Jerusalem: for though the foundations of the walls were left, yet a gre... [ Continue Reading ]