Micah 7

Micah 7:7

7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord; &c.] The times being so corrupt, and such danger to be apprehended from all sorts of men, so that no reliance could be placed on those who ought to be a man’s greatest supports, ver. 5, 6; the Prophet speaking as of himself, in the person probably of the nation in captivity, sets the example of declaring his confidence in God.

Having hitherto denounced judgments, now, according to the custom of the Prophets, he draws towards his conclusion with consolatory words and promises. Dr. Pocock.

Micah 7:10

10. — mine eyes shall behold her; &c.] As the heathen beheld the desolation of God’s Church and temple with delight, chap. iv. 11, so shall it come to my turn to see God’s judgment executed upon the Babylonish empire, and that brought down to as low a condition as ever they had reduced God’s people. W. Lowth.

The prophecy was fulfilled, when Babylon was taken, and the empire destroyed by the Medes and Persians, Dan. v. 30, 31: and it is observable, that that great turn of fortune was made in the very night when Belshazzar and his nobles insulted afresh, and lifted up themselves against God and his people. Dr. Pocock.

Micah 7:11

11. In the day that thy walls are to be built, &c.] When God shall visit his people, and repair their decayed estate, (compare Amos ix. 11,) then the tyrannical edicts of their persecutors shall be utterly abolished. This may partly relate to the recalling of those edicts which put a stop to the rebuilding of the city and temple of Jerusalem. See Ezra iv. 23, 24; vi. 14; Neh. ii. 8. 17. W. Lowth. Or, it may mean the decree of God denounced by his Prophets concerning the punishment of the Jews. Dr. Pocock.

Micah 7:12

12. In that day also he shall come &c.] Concerning the phrase “in that day,” see the note on Isa. iv. 2. By the single person “he” is meant the people, or the dispersion of Israel. The words imply, that the Jews should return from their several dispersions, where they were scattered: though not till after the land, for the evil of their doings, should have been desolate, according to the marginal reading of the next verse. W. Lowth, Dr. Pocock.

This prophecy was made good by the restoration of the Jews, and their coming again from all parts to Jerusalem, after the land had been for seventy years desolate

Micah 7:14

14. Feed thy people with thy rod, &c.] The word rendered “rod” is figuratively used, sometimes for a sceptre, sometimes for a shepherd’s staff, with which he directs his sheep. Dr. Pocock.

The verse is thus perspicuously paraphrased by Bishop Hall: “In the mean time, namely, of the desolation of the land, O God, take Thou care of thy people: O do Thou feed and govern them by thy gracious protection; lead Thou this flock of thine heritage, which now dwell solitary in the wilderness of their captivity, into the midst of thy fruitful pastures of Carmel; let them feed in the rich fields of Bashan and Gilead, as in the former times.” The words imply a gracious promise of return made to the nation, or at least the Church of the Jews, out of captivity to their own land; and that, under the protection of God, they should abundantly enjoy all things conducing to their well-being, set forth under the similitude of sheep feeding in rich pastures. However, all these good things promised to the Jews are in a higher manner made good to the Church of Christ, and all faithful believers, rescued from sin and Satan, and brought back into the fold; who, as He saith, shall be saved under his protection, and go in and out, and find pasture. Dr. Pocock.

Micah 7:15

15. According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt &c.] Thy prayer is heard, saith the Lord; I will do thus for thee, O my people; and, as I did in the days of thy coming out of Egypt do marvellous things for thee, so will I do again. Bp. Hall. The words are generally considered as spoken in the person of God in answer to the petition of the Prophet, “Feed thy people” &c. See Jer. xvi. 14, 15; xxi. 7, 8. The words, both here and in Jeremiah, direct us to a wonderful deliverance to be wrought by Christ, for a fuller and higher completion of these prophecies than was effected by the deliverance of the Jews either from the Egyptian bondage, or Babylonish captivity, though the words point more immediately at those. Dr. Pocock.

Before CHRIST 710. d Amos 9. 11, &c. Or, even to. that it hath been. God comforteth the church by his mercies. Before CHRIST 710. e Ps. 72. 9. Or, creeping things. f Exod. 34. 6. 7.