NOW GATHER THYSELF] better, 'now thou mayest gather thyself in troops, thou daughter of troops.' The reference is to Assyria. Micah sees the armies gather against Jerusalem, and foresees the possible overthrow of the dynasty (THE JUDGE OF ISRAEL). But Judah's future does not depend on Jerusalem. God... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH 1-5a. Jerusalem is besieged, its ruler insulted by the invader (Micah 5:1). Micah proclaims not only deliverance, but a deliverer. He will arise from Bethlehem, David's birthplace (Micah 5:2). God raised up thence a ruler who shepherded his people instead of fleecing them,... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUSANDS] or, families: cp. Numbers 1:16; Numbers 10:14; Joshua 22:14; Joshua 22:21. Several such families made up a tribe. UNTO ME] or, 'for me,' i.e. to fulfil MY will. The true ruler represents God's will in Israel. Since God's will has been the same from everlasting and must be manifested, the... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL HE GIVE THEM UP] better, 'He is giving them up.' SHE WHICH TRAVAILETH, etc.] the reference is to Isaiah's prophecy of immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). THEN THE REMNANT, etc.] better, 'and until the remnant of His, i.e. Messiah's brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.' As Messiah was to arise... [ Continue Reading ]
FEED] not himself, but his flock. The figure of the shepherd-king is continued. 5. Connect the first clause with the preceding, and put a full stop after PEACE. 5, 6. The power of Assyria, which rests on brute force and has no sympathy with the mission of Israel, can only last till God raises up a... [ Continue Reading ]
EIGHT PRINCIPAL MEN] Seven was sufficiency, eight is super-abundance. 'We shall not want for leaders.'... [ Continue Reading ]
LAND OF NIMROD] cp. Genesis 10:11. 7-9. Israel's dual mission. Its message has been trusted to it by God, and cannot remain without effect. To those who receive this truth gladly, it will come like refreshing dew. To those who oppose it, it will come like a ravening beast.... [ Continue Reading ]
PEOPLE] RV 'peoples.' The influence of Messiah is not to be confined to Israel. TARRIETH NOT FOR MAN] the mysterious dewfall, inexplicable by man, is meant. 9. Better read as a prayer: 'let thine hand be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and let all thine enemies be cut off.' 10-15. Since war and... [ Continue Reading ]
STANDING IMAGES] the stone pillars of Leviticus 26:1; Isaiah 19:19, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
GROVES] RV 'asherim': cp. Jdg 317: emblems of idol-worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCH AS THEY HAVE NOT heard] RV 'which hearkened not.' God will judge the nations according to their attitude to Messiah and Israel's faith.... [ Continue Reading ]