MICAH

Micah 7

1The church complaining of the scarcity of good men, 3and the general corruption, 5putteth not confidence in man, but in God. 8She triumpheth in hopes of restoration after affliction. 14She prayeth to God: 15God answereth her with promises of confounding her enemies. 18God's mercies to his people.


1WOE1 is me! 2for I am 3as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no 4cluster to eat: 5my soul desired the 6firstripe fruit.

1 This is a lamentation of the prophet, in the name of the church, about the general corruption of the people.

2 Or, that I am, etc.

3 Hebr. as the in-gatherings of the summer fruits (or of the summer) and as the gleanings of the vintage, that is, it is with me as a passer-by, who, after the fruit and vintage-time, finds no ripe fruits to refresh himself, which gives much grief to him; thus (implies the prophet) it grieves me exceedingly, that I can see and perceive so little of any goodness among the people; as is further explained in the sequel. Compare herewith Deut. 32:32; Psalm 12:1, 2; 14:2, 3; Isa. 24:13 Jer. 5:1; Ezek. 22:30; Hosea 11:7, etc.

4 Or, bunch of grapes; as Num. 13:23, 24.

5 Other, nor the firstripe fruit, which my soul desired.

6 Which is very pleasant, and of which one is desirous very much, and is glad when one finds her. See Isa. 28:4; Jer. 24:2; Hosea 9:10, with the annotations.

2The 7goodaman is perished 8out of the earth: and there is none 9upright among men: they all lie in wait for 10blood; they hunt every man his brother with a 11net.

7 Compare Psalm 12:1; Isa. 57:1, with the annotations there.

a Psalm 12:1; Hosea 4:1.

8 Other, from the earth.

9 Hebr. right or straight. See Psalm 7 on verse 10. The same word also occurs in verse 4.

10 Hebr. bloods, that is, murder and killing. See Gen. 4 on verse 10; 37 on verse 26.

11 To get and catch him into their net by all manner of deceits, and to swallow him up as a prey. Compare Psalm 10:8, 9, 10; Ezek. 19:3, 6, etc.

312That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince 13asketh, and the judge asketh forb a 14reward; and the 15great man, he uttereth his 16mischievousc17desire: so they 18wrap it up.

12 Or, The hands are for evil; to do good (that is, to further the cause of anyone) the prince asketh (namely, presents), and the judge (namely, asketh) reward. Or thus, for to do good the hands are for to do evil, etc. Or, For evil the hands are very valiant, etc. Or, that both hands, etc., may do evil. Or, Both hands (are about, or busied), (or, bravely, masterly, craftily) to do evil, that is, to do hurt. They endeavour and strive all they can; all their mind is set and bent to it. Of the Hebrew word which is translated here with earnestly, see Jonah 4 on verse 4.

13 Namely, gifts, presents. Compare Hosea 4:18.

b Micah 3:11.

14 That is, for presents.

15 See 2 Kings 25 on verse 9.

16 That is, he dares indeed to speak unashamedly what he has in mind to inflict on others such as sorrow, damage and misery; or, that whereby he brings his own soul into destruction.

c Micah 2:1.

17 That is, to whatsoever he has but a mind or desire; only what he desires, that he dares to say, to plot and to act upon. See Psalm 27 on verse 12 and compare Micah 2:2.

18 Namely, harm and treacheries. As one twists several small cords or ropes together to make it one thick rope, as such they twist all their shameful practices very close together, conspiring with each other, and joining and strengthening themselves to work out without failure their wickedness. Compare Psalm 129:4; Eccl. 4:12; Isa. 5:18.

4The 19best of them is as a 20brier: the most upright is sharper than a 21thorn hedge: the 22day of thy 23watchmen and 24thy 25visitation 26cometh; 27now shall be 28their 29perplexity.

19 That is, he, whom one would reckon to be the least in wickedness.

20 See Ezek. 2 on verse 6.

21 Compare Prov. 15:19.

22 That is, the appointed time. See Joel 1:15.

23 That is, prophets; understand, the prophets, whom were sent to you from God, have prophesied. See Ezek. 3 on verse 17.

24 Or, of thy visitation; understand the day of your visitation.

25 That is, punishment. See Gen. 21 on verse 1.

26 That is, shall surely come, the time is at hand wherein God shall visit you.

27 That is, very soon. See Hosea 10 on verse 3.

28 Those aforesaid wicked wretches.

29 As they brought in all manner of confusion and twisted all manner of wicked practices together, so shall they now themselves be enthralled and entangled with utter confusion and desolation, insomuch that for distress they shall not know which way to turn themselves, what to do or leave undone. Compare 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 39; Ezekiel 4; and Ezek. 24:3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11.

530Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a 31guide: 32keep the doors of thy mouth from 33her that 34lieth in thy 35bosom.

30 Or, believe. The prophet implies that truth and faith is gone. Compare Jer. 9:4, 5. Some take this as a wholesome advice which the prophet gives to the godly of what they are to avoid and eschew.

31 Or, leader, ruler, teacher, who sets an example and assists by word and deed. See Psalm 55:13; Prov. 16:28; 17:9, with the annotations.

32 That you do not reveal the secrets of your heart, to be deceived and betrayed.

33 That is, your wife. Compare Deut. 13:6, and see the annotation there. Hebr. the lying of thy bosom.

34 Or, sleepeth, lieth asleep; as lying down is taken for sleeping, and further also for dying, or falling asleep. See Deut. 31 on verse 16.

35 Or, lap.

6For the sond36dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a 37man’s enemies are the men of 38his own house.

d Ezek. 22:7; Mat. 10:21, 35, 36; Luke 12:53.

36 Or, despiseth, esteemeth small or little.

37 Or, of a man. The Lord Christ has used this place, Mat. 10:35, 36, though unto another end.

38 Hebr. men or people of his house, that is, those of his own family are unfaithful to him, they betray him.

739Therefore I will 40look unto the LORD; I will 41wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

39 Or, But.

40 Or, keep watch. Compare Psalm 5:3, with the annotation. This the prophet speaks in the name of the church, or the church herself, encouraging herself through faith in God’s grace and promises.

41 Or, hope.

8¶Rejoice not against 42me, O mine 43enemy: when I 44fall, I 45shall arise; when I 46sit in 47darkness, the LORD shall be a 48light unto me.

42 For being now in trouble and affliction.

43 Ye congregation of the wicked, my persecutor (in the feminine case). The church compares herself to a woman and likewise her enemies.

44 Into misery and adversity. See Prov. 24 on verse 16.

45 Or, I stand, etc. Hebr. properly, I am risen again, that is, I shall rise again assuredly, namely, out of my misery and trouble.

46 Or, when I shall have sat etc., the LORD is a light unto me.

47 See Gen. 15 on verse 12.

48 See Psalm 27 on verse 1.

9I will 49bear the 50indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he pleade my 51cause, and execute judgment for me: he will 52bring me forth to the light, and 53I shall behold his 54righteousness.

49 With a penitent and patient heart, as the sequel shows.

50 That is, afflictions and chastisements, proceeding from His indignation. Compare Ezek. 7 on verse 3.

e Jer. 50:34.

51 That is, my cause or lawsuit, my process, which I have currently open against my enemies and not against God (before Whom I do acknowledge myself guilty). See Psalm 35 on verse 1.

52 Or, bring out again, carry out, of the darkness, as mentioned in the previous verse.

53 Or, I shall see my delight upon his righteousness. See Psalm 22 on verse 17, #28 annotation.

54 Whereby He shall right me against my adversary, delivering me, and punishing her; or, His salvation, which, according to His promises, He shall faithfully show unto me. Compare Micah 6:5, with the annotation.

10Then she that is 55mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which saidf unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall 56behold her: 57now shall she be trodden down as the 58mire of the streets.

55 Other, Thou, O Lord, shalt look upon mine enemy, (namely, with an angry countenance) and cover her with shame.

f Psalm 79:10; 115:2; Joel 2:17.

56 Namely, my desire, my expectation; or, God’s righteous vengeance. See Psalm 54:7, with the annotation.

57 That is, very shortly, it shall not take long, as Micah 4:10; 5:3.

58 That is, it shall be reduced to extremity of shame and reproach. See Job 30:19; Psalm 40:2; Isa. 41:25, with the annotations. Likewise 2 Sam. 22:43; Psalm 18:42.

11In the day that 59thy 60walls are to be built,g in that day shall the 61decree be far removed.

59 This is a speech addressed to the church of Christ.

60 Understand hedge walls. Of the Hebrew word see Psalm 62 on verse 3. This is an evangelical promise of the restoring and gathering again of the church in the time of the New Testament by the Messiah. Compare Amos 9:11. Likewise Micah 4:1, 2, 3; 5:3, 4, 5.

g Amos 9:11, etc.

61 Or, institution, ordinance, namely, of God, touching His only begotten Son, the Messiah; the Gospel shall be spread far abroad. Compare with the annotation Psalm 2 on verse 7; Psalm 110:2; Isa. 2:3; 4:1, etc., and see hereof the explanation below in verse 14, etc. Other, the tax, or the tribute, or command, charge (the enemies’ tyranny and imposition) shall be far removed from thee. The Hebrew word used here and Psalm 2:7 of the evangelical decree of grace, is made use of in Ezek. 20:25 about the Divine decrees or determinations of His punishments and judgments. See there.

12In that day also 62he shall come even to thee from 63Assyria, and from the 64fortified cities, and from the 65fortress even to the 66river, and from 67sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.

62 Namely, the aforesaid decree. Or, one shall come unto thee, understanding the same of the concourse of nations unto the church of God. Compare Isa. 19:23, 24, etc. Other, he, (the Messiah) shall come unto thee, etc.

63 Situated northward from Canaan.

64 Namely, Egypt, situated in the south, being very strong by their natural position abounding with waters, and by art and industry of men. Hebr. cities of strength. Hebr. mazor, this has some resemblance with Mizraim¸ that is, Egypt. Compare the annotation at Isa. 19 on verse 6.

65 Hebr. stronghold or firmness.

66 Euphrates.

67 Hebr. from sea unto sea, that is, from the one sea to the other, and from the one mountain to the other; from the north to the south, from the east to the west. Canaan had mountains in the north, east and in the south. The Dead Sea was in the east; the Mediterranean See in the west; by which position and description of Canaan’s borders, the spreading forth of the Gospel throughout all the world and the uniting of Jews and Gentiles in Christ is typified.

1368Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because 69of them that dwell therein, for the 70fruith of their doings.

68 Or, After that, or, When this land shall be become, etc. Or, However, nevertheless shall this land, understand Canaan. This happened first in the time of the Babylonian devastation, and afterwards in the time of the New Testament, and continues still to this very day. Compare Dan. 9:26, 27, etc.

69 Or, with its inhabitants.

70 That is, desert, wages. See Prov. 1 on verse 31.

h Jer. 21:14.

1471Feedi thy 72people with thy 73rod, the 74flock of thine 75heritage, which dwell 76solitarily in the wood, in the midst of 77Carmel: let them feed in 78Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

71 Here the church, rejoicing in the Spirit, addresses the Messiah, the Chief Shepherd of the church, Jesus Christ, as if she saw Him feeding His flock and performing His office of Shepherd. Compare Micah 5:3. This serves for an explanation and continuation of verses 11, 12.

i Micah 5:3.

72 That is, church, scattered abroad upon the earth, and hated by the children of this world.

73 That is, Word and Spirit. Compare Psalm 23:4.

74 The flock of sheep, to which the faithful are compared here and frequently elsewhere.

75 See Deut. 32:9, with the annotation.

76 As a separated people of God, not intermixed with the world, sects nor heretics (for which reason they also are often persecuted and driven into solitudes), and yet living in safety and confidence against all enemies and the gates of hell, under the protection of their Shepherd. See Num. 23:9; Deut. 33:28; John 15:19; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 5:19, and compare the phrase with Jer. 49:31.

77 Or, a fruitful land. Hebr. Carmel. See Jer. 2:7, with the annotation.

78 Abounding with excellent pastures. See of Bashan Deut. 32 on verse 14; Psalm 22 on verse 12; Jer. 50 on verse 19, and of Gilead Gen 31:21; Jer. 22:6, with the annotations.

15According to the days of 79thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto 80him marvellousjthings.

79 O Israel.

80 My flock, that is, church, spoken of in the previous verse. This is the answer of Jesus Christ upon the foregoing address of the church.

j Joel 2:26, 30.

16¶The 81nations shall see and be confounded 82at all their might: they shall lay their 83hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be 84deaf.

81 Or, Gentiles (namely, the enemies of the church) shall have to behold the glory of the Kingdom of Christ or of His church. Some understand this of the elect among the heathen, who shall come to the communion of the church with shame for and the confession of their sins, by comparing this place with Hosea 3:5; 11:10, 11. Likewise Isa. 45:14.

82 Because all their rage and fury against God’s work and church proved in vain; or (as some) because of the spiritual might, which God shall grant unto His church by the preaching of the Gospel. See 2 Cor. 10:4, 5, 6, and compare Micah 5:5, 8, etc.; Psalm 149:6, 7, 8, 9, with the annotations.

83 Not being able or daring to gainsay. See Judges 18 on verse 19; Job 21 on verse 5.

84 Of that which they must hear and are not able to endure; or, (as some) the things, which they shall hear, shall be so strange, great and wonderful, that their ears shall be in a manner made deaf, being astonished by the hearing of it.

17They shall lick the 85dustk like a serpent, they shall 86move out of their holes like 87worms of the earth: 88they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of 89thee.

85 As a sign of their extreme fear and deepest submission, their pride and haughtiness being brought down now to the very ground, as the manner was in the countries of the east to bow oneself down to the ground to show subjection and humbleness. See Psalm 72:9, with the annotation, and compare Isa. 49:23, where similar words are expressed of the converted heathens.

k Psalm 72:9; Isa. 49:23.

86 That is, with commotion, fearing, trembling and creeping forth upon their bellies out of their castles, or fenced strongholds (compare with the 65th annotation at 2 Sam. 22:46; Psalm 18:45), as serpents or other creeping creatures, coming forth out of their holes.

87 Or, serpents, worms of the earth, etc. See Deut. 32:34, with the annotation.

88 Hebr. they shall be afraid or fear unto the Lord, etc., as Hosea 3:5. See there, and compare Hosea 11:10, 11. Other, they shall fear or be afraid before the Lord, etc.

89 Understand (changing the person, as elsewhere) God Himself, the Messiah, Whom the prophet addresses with lifting up his heart and admiration, as in the sequel; or, the church, being graced with the glory and might of her Head. Compare Isa. 19:16, 17, 18, etc., with the annotations.

18Who is a God like unto thee, that 90pardonethl iniquity, and 91passeth by the 92transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he 93retaineth not his anger for ever, 94because he delighteth in mercy.

90 Or, take away. See Psalm 25 on verse 18.

l Exod. 34:6, 7.

91 That is, overlooks, imputes not, regards not, according to His justice or in wrath. Compare 2 Sam. 12:13, with the annotation.

92 That is, His elect, faithful, or church. See verse 14.

93 Compare Jer. 3:5, 12, and see the contrary in regard of the enemies of God and His people. Nah. 1:2.

94 Or, but.

19He will turn 95again, he will have compassion upon us; he will 96subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all 97their sins into the 98depths of the sea.

95 Hebr. He will return, he will pity us. Compare Psalm 71:20; 85:6, with the annotations. Likewise Num. 11 on verse 4; Psalm 45 on verse 4.

96 Or, subject, suppress, so that they shall not be able to get up or rise up against us in judgment; and consequently abolish the dominion and tyranny of sin (under which we had been sold as slaves or bondmen) and sanctify and renew us, here initially, and hereafter perfectly, unto which last benefit some do apply this only. See Isa. 52:1; Romans 6; 7.

97 Of the elect and believers.

98 A very elegant and comforting similitude, signifying that our sins shall not be looked upon by God, but shall be put in everlasting oblivion, covered, and shall not be esteemed but smothered for ever. Compare Psalm 103:12; Isa. 43:25; Jer. 31:34, 37, etc.

20Thou wilt 99perform the truth to 100Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the 101days of old.

99 Or, deliver, that is, make good, actually show forth and perform.

100 That is, Jacob’s and Abraham’s posterity. See Rom. 9:6, 7, 8; or, the faithfulness or truth of Jacob, the mercy or kindness of Abraham, that is, which Thou didst promise them. Compare Jer. 2 on verse 2, and understand hereby the Messiah of the Covenant of Grace, and together with Him all things. Compare Luke 1:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73; Rom. 8:32. A most excellent conclusion of this prophecy, full of faith and expectation of the Messiah.

101 Hebr. of the days of antiquity, that is, for a long time.