DESIRED THE FIRSTRIPE FRUIT] RV 'desireth the firstripe fig,' which, now the harvest is past, is gone. The righteous (the early figs) have been gleaned out of the city. 2. Cp. Isaiah 57:1. Both passages speak of a scourge which has specially fallen on the righteous, and so point to a period of pers... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFESSION AND CONTRITION BRING BACK HOPE 1-6. Jerusalem laments her estate. The righteous among her children are taken from her by violence (Micah 7:1). The rulers misuse their position for their selfish ends (Micah 7:3). Worst of all, the trust of a man in his neighbour's honour, which makes the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAY OF THY WATCHMEN AND THY VISITATION] the day of GOD's visitation foretold by the prophets: cp. Isaiah 21:6. It will confound such men, since its principles are the opposite of theirs.... [ Continue Reading ]
GUIDE] RM 'familiar friend.' 6. The final proof of social corruption is the death of men's trust in each other. See our Lord's adoption of these words (Matthew 10:36). 7-20. Everything seems lost but God: therefore Micah looks more to God (Micah 7:7). His chastisements are tolerable, because they h... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE] RV 'but as for me.' In such evil days the true man finds refuge in God.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I FALL] calamity, not sin, is meant.... [ Continue Reading ]
DECREE] RM 'boundary,' i.e. when God restores the nation and permits the walls to be rebuilt, He will give ample room: cp. Isaiah 33:17 rm.... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'In that day shall they come unto thee, from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, and from Egypt even to the River,' i.e. Euphrates. FROM SEA TO SEA is not meant of any specific sea: rather the exiles from West to East and from East to West shall return home.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND] Canaan. Before this return must come chastisement. 14. The prophet passes abruptly to prayer. SOLITARILY] Israel was always separated from the nations as the flock of God: cp. Numbers 23:9. CARMEL.. BASHAN.. GILEAD] perhaps chosen because they were districts devoted to pasture, as contra... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO] RV 'as in the days of.' God in answer points back to His past mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFOUNDED] RV 'ashamed' to see how impotent is their might. 17. RV 'they shall come trembling out of their close places' (their useless fortresses); 'they shall come with fear unto the Lord out God.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO _is_, etc.] Micah's name means 'Who is like the Lord? 'The prophet concludes with an outburst of praise.... [ Continue Reading ]