CHAPTER VII _The prophet begins this chapter with lamenting the decay of_ _piety and the growth of ungodliness, using a beautiful allegory_ _to imply_ (_as explained in_ Micah 7:2) _that the good man is as seldom to be met with as the early fig_ _of best quality in the advanced season, or the c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:2. _THE GOOD_ MAN _IS PERISHED OUT OF THE EARTH_] A similar sentiment may be found, Psalms 12:1; Isaiah 57:1. As the _early fig_ of excellent flavour cannot be found in the advanced season of summer, or a _choice cluster of grapes_ after vintage, so neither can the good and upright man... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:3. _THAT THEY MAY DO EVIL WITH BOTH HANDS_] That is, earnestly, greedily, to the uttermost of their power. The _Vulgate_ translates: Malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum; "The evil of their hands they call good." _THE PRINCE ASKETH_] A bribe, to forward claims in his court. _THE JUDGE_ A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:4. _THE BEST OF THEM_ IS _AS A BRIER_] They are useless in themselves, and cannot be touched without _wounding_ him that comes in contact with them. He alludes to the _thick thorn hedges_, still frequent in Palestine. _THE DAY OF THY WATCHMEN_] The day of vengeance, which the prophets... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:5. _TRUST YE NOT IN A FRIEND_] These times will be so evil, and the people so wicked, that all _bonds_ will be _dissolved_; and even the most intimate will betray each other, when they can hope to serve themselves by it. On this passage, in the year 1798, I find I have written as foll... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:6. _FOR THE SON DISHONOURETH THE FATHER_] See the use our Lord has made of these words, where he quotes them, Matthew 10:21; Matthew 10:25; Matthew 10:36, and the notes there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:7. _THEREFORE I WILL LOOK UNTO THE LORD_] Because things are so, I will _trust_ in the Lord more firmly, _wait_ for him more patiently, and more _confidently_ expect to be supported, defended, and saved.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _REJOICE NOT AGAINST ME, O MINE ENEMY_] The captive Israelites are introduced as speaking here and in the preceding verse. The _enemy_ are the _Assyrians_ and _Chaldeans_; the _fall_ is their _idolatry_ and consequent _captivity_; the _darkness_, the _calamities_ they suffered in that capti... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _I WILL BEAR THE INDIGNATION OF THE LORD_] The words of the penitent captives, acknowledging their sins and praying for mercy. _UNTIL HE PLEAD MY CAUSE_] And wo to the _slanderers_, when God undertakes to plead for the _fallen_ who have _returned_ to him with _deep compunction of heart_, s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:10. _THEN_ SHE THAT IS _MINE ENEMY_] This may refer particularly to the _city of Babylon_. _SHALL SHE BE TRODDEN DOWN_] Literally fulfilled in the sackage of that city by the Persians, and its consequent total ruin. It became as _mire_; its walls, formed of brick _kneaded with straw_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:11. In _THE DAY THAT THY WALLS ARE TO BE BUILT_] This refers to _Jerusalem_; the _decree_, to the purpose of God to deliver the people into captivity. "This shall be far removed." God having _purposed_ their return, I cannot think, with some commentators, that this verse contains _thre... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:12. IN _THAT DAY_ ALSO _HE SHALL COME_] Bp. _Newcome_ translates: - "And in that day they shall come unto thee From Assyria and the fenced cities; And from Egypt even unto the river." _Calmet_ translates: - "They shall come to thee from Assyria even unto Egypt; And from Egypt eve... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:13. _NOTWITHSTANDING THE LAND SHALL BE DESOLATE_] This should be translated in the preter tense, "Though the land HAD been desolate;" that is, the land of Israel had been desolate during the captivity, which captivity was the "fruit of the evil doings of them that had dwelt therein.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:14. _FEED THY PEOPLE WITH THY ROD_] בשבטך _beshibtecha_, "with thy crook." The shepherd's crook is most certainly designed, as the word _flock_ immediately following shows. No _rod_ of _correction_ or _affliction_ is here intended; nor does the word mean such. _SOLITARILY_] They have... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:15. _ACCORDING TO THE DAYS_] This is the answer to the prophet's prayer; and God says he will protect, save, defend, and _work miracles for them_ in their restoration, such as he wrought for their fathers in their return from Egypt to the promised land.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:16. _THE NATIONS SHALL SEE AND BE CONFOUNDED_] Whether the words in these verses (Micah 7:15) be applied to the return from the Babylonish captivity, or to the prosperity of the Jews under the Maccabees, they may be understood as ultimately applicable to the final restoration of this p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:18. _WHO_ IS _A GOD LIKE UNTO THEE, C._] Here is a challenge to all idol worshippers, and to all those who take false views of the true God, to show his like. See his characters they are immediately subjoined. 1. _He pardoneth iniquity_. This is the prerogative of God alone; of that B... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Micah 7:20. _THOU WILT PERFORM THE TRUTH TO JACOB_] The _promises_ which he has made to Jacob and his posterity. Not one of them can ever fall to the ground. "And the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn;" viz., that "in his Seed all the families of the earth should be blessed;" that the _... [ Continue Reading ]