Micah 3:8

8 On the other hand ¹I am filled with power - With the Spirit of the LORD - And with justice and courage To ²make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin.

Micah 3:8 Meaning and Commentary

Micah 3:8

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord
Or, "full of power, even, the Spirit of the Lord", as Gussetius ^F6, by way of contrast, and as explaining what is meant by power; for so the Spirit is sometimes called from his gifts and graces, which are powerful in men; see ( Luke 24:47 ) ( Acts 1:8 ) ( Acts 6:5 Acts 6:8 ) . These are the words of Micah concerning himself, in opposition to the false prophets, who are destitute of the Spirit of God; men of mean sordid dispositions, that had nothing but sinister and selfish ends in view, and not in the least qualified for the office and character they bore; whereas he could say of himself, with truth, that he was possessed of sufficient abilities for such an employment; and which he had, not of himself, but from the Spirit of God, who gives gifts to men, and divides them to each as he will; so that this was no vaunt and vain boast, or a piece of arrogance and ostentation in the prophet; since he only opposes himself to the false prophets, and ascribes his endowments and qualifications, not to himself, but to the Spirit of God; he had, though they had not, answers from the Lord, visions and prophecies from him, with a commission and abilities from him to execute the office of a prophet, being under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and full of him and his gifts: and of judgment, and of might;
or of the judgment of truth, as the Targum; being able to discern truth and error, between what comes from the Spirit of God, and what from a lying spirit, or a spirit of divination and falsehood; what is proper to, be spoken, when the right time, and to whom; and having courage and greatness of mind, fearing no man's person or face, but bold to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin;
freely and openly to set it before them in a true light, with all aggravating circumstances, and reprove them for the same; and threaten them with the judgments of God in case they, repented not; see ( Isaiah 58:1 ) ; and as a proof of all this, says what follows:

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 Ebr. Comment. p. 468.

Micah 3:8 In-Context

6 Therefore it will be night for you-without vision, And darkness for you-without divination. The sun will go down on the prophets, And the day will become dark over them.

7 The seers will be ashamed And the diviners will be embarrassed. Indeed, they will all cover their mouths Because there is no answer from God.

8 On the other hand I am filled with power - With the Spirit of the LORD - And with justice and courage To make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin.

9 Now hear this, heads of the house of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel, Who abhor justice And twist everything that is straight,

10 Who build Zion with bloodshed And Jerusalem with violent injustice.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 61:1, 2; Jeremiah 1:18
• 2. Isaiah 58:1