Micah 3
PATcnings of impending judgments. This promise relates to tbc general restoration of the Jewish nation, which yet is hero and elsewhere confined to that remnant, that shall escape the punishments that will come upon the rebellious. (See the note upon iv. 7.) I will put them together as the sheep ofBozrah, &c] God is often styled the Shepherd of Israel, and his caro over his people is compared to that of a shepherd over his flock, when he gathers them into the fold, and defends them from beasts of prey, while they are there. (Compare Jcr. xxxi. 10.) Bozrah is a noted place in Idumea, where there were largo flocks of sheep. They shall make a noise by reason of the multitude of tnen.] The noise a multitude makes both discovers their numbers, and is a sign of their being lively and in good condition. The words may be rendered, keeping close to the original, Tliey shall increase with men: the same word in the Hebrew signifying both a noise and a multitude* (Compare Ezek. xxxvi. 37.) Vcr. 13. The breaker is come up before tJiem.] He that shall break the bonds of their captivity, or break through all obstacles that hinder their return home. The word porets is usually understood in a bad sense, for a thief or a destroyer; but the context here determines it to a more favourable acceptation. To this sense the Vulgar Latin renders it, Pandens iter, He that opens the way. The Jewish commentators generally understand the breaker, and their King, th&t follows, of the same person, viz. the Messiah; as may be seen in Dr. Pocock upon the place* Bishop Pearson cites the words of Moses Hadarsan to the same purpose, in his Exposition of the sixth article of the Creed. The words seem parallel to that expression of Zechariah, (xii. 8.) As the angel of the Lord before them, or, at the head of them. (See the note there.) Some of the Jews, indeed, with a little variation, expound their King of the Messiah, and the breaker of his forerunner Elijah; as Dr. Pocock observes, the Chaldce paraphrase translates it, Tliose that are saved; as if the word were in a passive form. They have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it.] The expressions allude to a flock of sheep, who, as soon as a passage is opened for one to get out, do all of them follow. And their King shall pass before them, and [or, even] the Lord on the head of them.~\ The Messiah, who is both their God and their King, (sec the note upon Isa. vii. 14.) shall lead and conduct them as their captain and general. (Compare Isa. lii. 12. Hos. i.ll.) Both the princes and prophets of Judah are reproved for their sins, and the destruction of Jerusalem is foretold, as a punishment for these enormities. Vcr. 1. jLLEAR, O ye heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house oj Israel] Israel stands for Judah here, as appears by vcr. 9, 10. (Sec, likewise, i. 14, 15.) Vcr. 2, 3. Who pluck off their skin from off them, &c] Who exercise all manner of cruelty upon their inferiors, as if they were so many butchers cutting meat for the shambles. Vcr. 4. He will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.] As they have shewed no pity to others, God will have no pity for them. Vcr. 5. That bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace.] Though they speak smooth things, yet are no better than ravening wolves, and bring destruction upon those that are deluded by them. (Sec ii. 11.) And he thatputteth not into their mouth, they evenprepare war against him.] If men will not still caress and maintain them, they bring them into trouble by raising false accusations against them, as if they were enemies to the government. (Compare Ezek. xiii. 19.) Vcr. 6, 7. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not havea vision, &c] The false prophets shall see theiir own prophecies confuted by experience, so that they shall no more pretend to the gift of prophecy, and shall be covered with sh^me and confusion for making false pretences to it. And the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.] As they shall have no light or revelation from heaven, so dark days or dismal calamities shall overtake them, as a just punishment for their frauds and impostures. (Compare Isa. viii. 20. xxix. 10. Jer. xv. 9. Amos viii. 9, 10.)
Micah 3:7
Yea, they shall cover their lips: for there is no answer from God. Men used to coyer their mouth, or their face,, when they were under any.great affliction. (See Ezek. xxiv. 17.) This likewise shewed that they were utterly silenced, and had nothing to say, either by way of revelation from God, or in behalf of themselves. (Job xl. 4.)
Micah 3:8
But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, &c. Whereas I, that am a true prophet, and moved by God’s Spirit, have the honesty and courage to reprove the crying sins of the. nation, though practised and encouraged by the greatest men in it; (sec vcr. 9.) contrary to the base flattcrings and soothings of the false prophets. (See Ezek. xiii. 10, &c.) Geburah properly signifies might, or courage; so it is used, Isa. xi. 2. (See •the note there.)
Micah 3:9
Hear this — ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel. See ver. 1. This address to the great men, shews the prophet’s courage and impartiality.
Micah 3:10
They that build up Zion with blood, &c. Who think to increase the wealth, or secure the safety, of the public, by putting the innocent to death. (Compare Habak.ii.12.)
Micah 3:11
The.heads thereof judge for reward. See vii. 3. Isa. i. 28. Hos. iv. 18. Ezek. xxii. 12. 27. Zcph. iii. 3. Her priests teach for hire.] It was the duty of the priests to instruct the people, as well as to attend upon the service of the temple; for which cause thcyhad cities allotted to them in all parts of Judca. (See Dcut. xxxiii. 10. Ezra vii. 10. Jcr. xviii. 18. Mai. ii. 7.) The priests, not content with that plentiful revenue which the law allowed them, made a corrupt gain of their office. And the prophets divine for money.] See vcr. 5. Jcr. v. 31. vi. 13. This is to bo understood of the false prophets. (See Zeph. iii. 4. Zcch. xiii. 2.)