Micah 5

A prophesie of the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ at Bethlehem, and the conversion of the Gentiles verse 1, of his royal feeding and governing of his; and of the power and meanes of his church against her enemies, 4 of the wonderfull growth, terribleness, victoriousness, safety and holiness of the church, and Gods vengeance against the disobedient.

1. And thou [i.e. as concerning thee] Bethlehem Ephrata, [see gen. 35.16, 19. jud. 12.8 with the annotate. Or Ephrat, or Ephrata (which also was the name of Caleb his wife, I Chro. 2.19, 24.) signifies fruitfulness] are thou small [i.e. indeed not small [i.e. indeed thou not small, Matthew 2:6 or (although) thou be small, c yet, c. oth. It is (a) small (thing, or matter) that thou art among, c. (compare the annotate. On this place made by the chief priests and scribes before king Herod, Matthew 2:6.) the sense is, thou art but small in deed, as to thy outward appearance, but thou shalt be exalted to great dignity, by the birth of the Messia and our Saviour Jesus Christ] among the thousands of Juda? [or leader, princes of Juda. This hath respect to the dividing of the tribes into their thousands each thousand having their perculiar headd and leader or chieftain; (see Jud.6.15. 1 Sam 10.19 with the annotate. And 2 chro. 12.20.) therefore you have it, mat. 2.6. among the Princes, or Leaders, Guides, Dakes: the Hebrew words, also that signify both Thousand and leader, are neer of kin and derived from one and the same root] out of thee shall come forth [words of God the father] he that shall be [Hebr. For to be] a ruler (Dominator) in Israel: [this is to be understood according to his humane nature; and in regard the eternal and self-subsisting word of the father, was to be made flesh, the same should be born in Bethlehem and so come forth, or proceed out of it] and whose goings forth are of old, from the dayes of eternity: [i.e. before the beginning of the creation, from eternity, or everlasting times. Compare Proverbs 8:22, 23, 24, 30, 31 John 1:1 and 17.5. that the Hebrew word Kedem, being used of God, doth sometime signifie eternity, thereof see Deuteronomy 33:27 with the annotate. Oth. Though his goings or coming forth &c as the word goings or coming forth out of Bethlehem, according to his humanity, being to be born there, of the virgin Mary. So the same word is used here for his everlasting coming forth or proceeding from the father, thereby to signifie his eternal God head and divine generation from the father: and that in the plural, gonigs forth, which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue, especially to signifie some great and extra ordinarie matter (see Obad. 21, &c) such as indeed the co-effence of the son with the father and his incomprehensible birth and generation out of him. See Hebrews 1:3.]

2. Therefore shall he [God] deliver them [the Jews] up, [or, leave them, to wit, understand the dominion and power of their enemies, both Babylonians and others, until their king, the Messia, come] until thine time, that she which is to bring forth, shall brought forth; [i.e. until the Israelites church, by means of the Apostle preaching shall bring forth abundance of spiritual children, both of Jews and especially) Gentiles. Compare Isaiah 54:1 and chapter 66.7, 8 or (as some) until the travel and pangs of children (i.e. the sufferings of the Jewish church) be past and the joy be come of the woman delivered. Compare above chapter 4.9, 10. Job 16:20,21. this may likewise plainly be understood of the birth of th Messia, by the virgin Mary. Compare Isa. chapter 7.14] then shall the remnant of his heathen convert themselves, [viz the heathen of the Lord Christ, that is, the elect or chosen ones among the Gentiles which shall joyn themselves to the communion of Christ and his church, and be united together with the Jews under one head by faith. See John 10:16. Hebrews 2:11.12. Ephesians 2:11, 12.] with the children of Israel. [Oth. Unto: the sense being one.]

3. And he [viz. the foresaid LORD and ruler, Messia] shall stand; [i.e. be always exercising of his office, as a faithfull shepherd, that keeps good watch over his stock, and is always ready at hand in their behalf. Compare below chapter 7.14. Zach. 1.8. and 3.5 and the phrase with Zach 14.14.12 or he shall stand, i.e. subsist, have a stablished Dominion.] and shall feed [as a shepherd doth his flock, with the staff or rod of his word and spirit: or feed, that is, govern, in the same sense. See 2 Sam. 5.2, c. therefore also, instead of ruling, (above verse 2) Matthew hath the word feeding chapter 2.6.] in the power of the LORD, in the highness of the name of the LORD his God; [i.e. his fathers, which is also his own. See Job 10.38 and 14.10 and compare Job 5:18. Philippians 2:6. Hebrews 1:3.5.] and they shall dwell, [i.e. his subjects or sheep shall enjoy a quit, steadfast and assured condition under this ruler and shepherd. Compare above 4, 4, c] for, [or, when] now [ere long, in due time. See above chapter 4.10] he shall be [or, become, wax, grow] great [oth. Made great i.e. his honor and glory shall encrease, be spread abroad and grow famous, by means of the gospel, and throw the effectual operation of the Holy Ghost among the heathen] unto the ends of the earth [i.e. he shall shew forth his greatness and glory to the uttermost ends of the earth.]

4. And this (man) shall be peace: [this is put in as the reason, why the church shall dwell so securely and peaceably, as was promised in the former verse, because Christ was to be peace. i.e. he should send and give them his spiritual and divine peace, so assuredly, and to all intents and purposes, that no enemy shall be able to bereave her of the same (compare Judges 6:24 and Job 14.27) however shee must endure much in the world against which she is comforted in the sequel] when Assur which Assur shall come into our land and when he shall enter into our palaces, then shall we put against him, [or, raise, cause to rise upon him: chuse, appoint and ordain, viz by and under the conduct and government of our king and his spirit. See Ephes. 4.11. Acts 20:28 and likewise chapter 13.2, c] seven [i.e. sufficient number, or a good many, a certain number put for an uncertain. Compare. Eccle. 11.2 with the annotate] shepherds, [i.e. Ecclesiastical and civil rulers and governours, or warlike commanders, as the souldiery likewise are called flocks. See Jer.49.19, 20, with the annotate.] and right princes [or principal persns, lieutenants, governors. See Ezek. 32 on verse 30] out of men [Heb. Of the or of a man, or of men i.e. according to some, of the common sort of men. Compare Psalms 4 on verse 3. so that the very meanest of God’s church, by a lawful calling and the spirit of Christ, shall be sufficiently enabled to make resistance: according as God for this very end did call, enabled and institute Moses and Aaron &c and Christ his Apostles,out of the multitude, and others afterward by their means, and his people. See Acts 4:13 or it may be taken thus, the princes of men. i.e. the excellentest and ablest or best gifted persons among us. Compare Psalms 149:6, 7, 8, 9. with the annotate. Also 2 Chron. 10.4, 5, 6 and Job 16:8, 9, 10, 11. in this verse the church is brought in, shewing forth her quietness and the confidence she put in this king of hers against all enmity and hostility whatsoever. Compare Isaiah 41:25. and 59.19 with the annotate. The plainest sense of these figurative words seems to be; when the enemies of the church, the children of this world (typified by the hostile Assyrians and the land of nimrod) shall moest them, (which she knows well enough before hand, will happen unto her) that they shall be sufficiently, yea abundantly provided then by their king (who is said, to deliver from Assur, verse 6) with means of resistance and revenge, for to maintain their spiritual good estate, and to punish their adversaries: (as well altogether, as if she were ale to draw forth and put into the field seven or eight good armies under so many able Generals or chief commanders, against the Assyrians and Chaldeans) and that first, by the sword of the word of God, and the means of Ecclesiastical discipline, (which are the spiritual weapons of the church) managed by the shepherds and governors of the church, (whereof onely some would have this to be understood, as also of the conversion of the aforesaid enemies to the Communion of the church, together with their Ecclesiastical and spiritual government) and afterwards also now and then, outwardly and corporally, (as others here infer) when it shall please the son of God, to ease and deliver his church from the assaults and pressures of her enemies, by his champions, whom he is able to raise at all times, for the good of his people until at last he shall surely and perfectly destroy and confound them for ever. Compare verse 9 and 15.]

5. These shall eat up the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nomrod, [see Genesis 10:8, 9, 10.] in the entrances thereof, [or, opening, doors of the land. i.e. the borders, or frontiers, or open places thereof, where it lies most open. Oth. With its (the lands own) naked swords; another like Hebrew word being likewise thus. See Psalms 55:22. with the annotate.] thus shall be rescue (us) from Asur, [he, viz. the ruler that is to come forth out of Bethlehem, shall do all this, making use of and blessing to that end all the means aforesaid] when the same shall come into our land, and when he shall enter into our borders.

6. And Jacobs remnant shall be in the midst of amny nations, as a dew from the lord, as drops upon the herb, [in regard that out of Jacob remnant there were to proceed Christ (after the flesh) and his Apostles and consequently out of the universal church teachers from time to time, who by the preaching of the gospel of saving grace, should sprinkle and moisten many nations as with a heavenly dew, and gentle drops of rain whereby the spirit of the LORD, (whose alone work this is) should so work in the hearts of the Elect, that multitudes of believers should spring up, or be born and grow up thence, and spread and flourisjh, c. compare Psalms 110:3 Isaiah 26:19. and 66.8, 9. Ezekiel 47:7. with the annotate, c. 1 Cor. 3.6, 7] which waits for no man, nor attends any children of men [and consequently, shall be the meer and sole work of God from above. Compare Job 38:26, 27 and the notes.]

7. Yea the remnant of Jacob shall be among the heathen, in the midst of many nations, as a Lyon among the leasts of the forrest, as a young Lyon, among the stocks of sheep: [that is cheerfull and courageous in his way, and terrible to his enemies through the invicible power of their head Christ, (the Lion of Juda, rev. 5.5) and of his spirit. See Job 16.33. 1 John 5:4, 5. some do here oppose the dew of the church, as pleasing and acceptable for the penitent, and the lion, as dreadfull to the impenitent and obstinate, in the use of the keyes of the kingdom of heaven] who passing through, doth trample down and tear, that none rescueth. See Psalms 7:3.]

8. Thine hand [i.e. thy power, O Jacob from what goeth before. Compare Gen. 49. verse 8 and see Gen. 16 on verse 6] shall be axalted above thine adversaries; and all thine enemies [not only the spiritual ones but at last, all the corpporall also, as verse 15.]

9. And it shall come to passé in that day, saith the LORD, that I shall cut off thine horses, out of the midst of thee; and I will destroy thy charets. [by this and that which followeth, the LORD implieth, that he will take away all these meanes, whereby his people had for a long time dishonoured him; to wit, their fleshly arm, all their vain, idolatrous and devilish refuge and confidence, and on the contrary so cleanse and sanctifie his church, that thence-forward she shall trust in none but him alone, serve and worship him alone and being safe and secure under his protection, through his power and judgements, shall triumph over all her enemies. Compare Hosea 2:7 and 14.4 with the annotations.]

10. And I will destroy the cities of thy land; and I will break down all thy forts.

11. And I will destroy the witchcraft out of thine hand: and thou shalt have no Juglers, [see lev.19 on verse 26]

12. And I will destroy thy carved images, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee: that thou shalt bow down no more before the work of thy hands. [i.e. before thine idolatrous images.]

13. Moreover I shall destroy the groves out of the midst of thee: [understand those, which were made and dedicated in honour of the idols, and used for their worship. See Deut 12. on verse 3 and 18.21 with the annotate and compare herewith Ezekiel 43:7, 8, 9.] and will lay waste thy cities.

14. And I will in wrath and fury act vengeance against the heathen; that hear not. [i.e. that obey not. Compare Isaiah 60:12. Jeremiah 12:17. others which (viz. vengeance, i.e. the like) they have not heard, that is, such is never was heard of before.]