CHAPTER III _In this chapter the prophet inveighs with great boldness and_ _spirit against the princes and prophets of Judah; and foretells_ _the destruction of Jerusalem as the consequence of their_ _iniquity_, 1-12. _The last verse was fulfilled to a certain extent by_ _Nebuchadnezzar; but m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 3:4. _THEN SHALL THEY CRY_] When calamity comes upon these oppressors, they shall cry for deliverance: but _they shall not be_ _heard_; because, in their unjust exactions upon the people, they went on ruthlessly, and would _not hear_ the cry of the oppressed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 3:5. _THAT BITE WITH THEIR TEETH_] That eat to the full; that are well provided for, and as long as they are so, prophesy smooth things, and cry, _Peace_! i.e., Ye shall have nothing but peace and prosperity. Whereas the true prophet, "who putteth not into their mouths," who makes no pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 3:6. _NIGHT_ SHALL BE _UNTO YOU_] Ye shall have no _spiritual_ _light_, nor will God give you any revelation of his will. _THE SUN SHALL GO DOWN OVER THE PROPHETS_] They prospered for a while, _causing the people to err_; but they shall also be carried into captivity, and then the sun o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 3:7. _SHALL THE SEERS BE ASHAMED_] For the _false visions_ of comfort and prosperity which they pretended to see. _AND THE DIVINERS CONFOUNDED_] Who pretended to foretell future prosperity; for they themselves are now _thralled_ in that very _captivity_ which the true prophets foretold,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _BUT - I AM FULL OF POWER_] Here is the character of the true prophet. _He is filled_, all his soul is occupied with power, כח _coach_, with heavenly energy; _by the Spirit of the Lord_, the fountain of all truth and might; _and of judgment_, which enables him to make a proper discernment b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _HEAR THIS_] An appeal similar to that in Micah 3:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 3:10. _THEY BUILD UP ZION WITH BLOOD_] They might cry out loudly against that butchery practised by Pekah, king of Israel, and Pul coadjutor of Rezie, against the Jews. See on Micah 2:9. But these were by no means clear themselves; for if they _strengthened_ _the city_, or _decorated the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 3:11. _THE HEADS THEREOF JUDGE FOR REWARD_] This does not apply to the _regular law officers_, who have their proper _salaries_ for giving up their whole time and attention to the conscientious discharge of the duties of their office; but to those who take a _reward_, who take BRIBES, fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 3:12. _THEREFORE SHALL ZION - BE PLOUGHED_ AS _A FIELD_] It shall undergo a variety of reverses and sackages, till at last _there_ _shall not be one stone left on the top of another, that shall not_ _be pulled down_; and then a _plough_ shall be drawn along the site of the walls, to sign... [ Continue Reading ]