View Micah 7 in the note window.
The total corruption of the people, ver. 1 - 6.
Those who fear God are to take courage, to be patient, to expect long
trouble, ver. 7 - 13.
And to encourage themselves with God's promises, and faithfulness, and
the future downfall of their enemies, ver. 14 - 20.
1: Woe is me - The land is brought in complaining, that
whereas it was once well stored, now it hath few good in it.
As the grape - gleanings - In Israel and Judah, which in bringing
forth good men, should have been a fruitful vine full of clusters:
just, compassionate and humble men, are as grapes after the vintage
is gathered. Desired - But in vain.
3: Both hands - With all diligence. The great man - The great man
at court, who can do what he will there. Uttereth - Is bold to speak
plainly. Desire - His unjust, oppressive design. They - They all
jointly promote violence and cruelty.
4: As a briar - Mischievous and hurtful. The day - The day in which
they shall sound the alarm. Cometh - Surely, speedily, and unavoidably.
Now - When that day is come.
7: Therefore - Since all sorts of men are so perfidious.
Look - As one set in a watch - tower looks round about, and diligently
observes all that stirs, so will the prophet; so did they who in
Israel and Judah feared the Lord.
8: Rejoice not - The prophet personates the church. Let it be no
matter of glorying to thee, that the day of calamity hath overtaken me.
In darkness - When affliction, war, famine, and captivity cover me.
A light - Shall support, comfort and deliver me.
9: Plead - Against mine enemy, now he pleads his own cause against
me. His righteousness - The truth and riches of his promised salvation.
10: She - What nation or people soever. Shall behold - The people
of God shall see their enemies laid low.
11: Thy walls - O Jerusalem. The decree - Of Artaxerxes,
which forbad the re - building of the temple. Removed - Abolished.
12: In that day - After the return out of captivity.
He - He who is of Jewish race. To thee - O Jerusalem.
The fortified cities - In which many Jews were kept for servile
works. To the river - To Euphrates. To sea - From the Caspian
to the Persian and to the Midland sea. From mountain - That
is, from all parts of their captivity, they shall return to their
own country.
13: Not withstanding - These promises of restitution, which took not
place 'till more than two hundred years after.
14: Feed - So Christ directs his officers. With thy rod - In
allusion to the custom of shepherds who guided their sheep by a
pastoral staff. In the wood - Protect and guide those that in their
present captive state are solitary, compassed with dangers.
Carmel - A fruitful place and well inhabited. In Bashan - A place of
note for fruitfulness. Gilead - Equal with any of the other for
plenty and safety.
16: Shall be deaf - They shall neither care to hear, nor to
speak of it.
17: Lick the dust - In the most submissive, servile manner, testify
their subjection. Holes - Their strong holds, and fastnesses.
Because of thee - So that the name of Jews, shall be terrible to
their enemies.
