Micah 7

1 vae mihi quia factus sum sicut qui colligit in autumno racemos vindemiae non est botrus ad comedendum praecoquas ficus desideravit anima mea

2 periit sanctus de terra et rectus in hominibus non est omnes in sanguine insidiantur vir fratrem suum venatur ad mortem

3 malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum princeps postulat et iudex in reddendo est et magnus locutus est desiderium animae suae et conturbaverunt eam

4 qui optimus in eis est quasi paliurus et qui rectus quasi spina de sepe dies speculationis tuae visitatio tua venit nunc erit vastitas eorum

5 nolite credere amico et nolite confidere in duce ab ea quae dormit in sinu tuo custodi claustra oris tui

6 quia filius contumeliam facit patri filia consurgit adversus matrem suam nurus contra socrum suam inimici hominis domestici eius

7 ego autem ad Dominum aspiciam expectabo Deum salvatorem meum audiet me Deus meus

8 ne laeteris inimica mea super me quia cecidi consurgam cum sedero in tenebris Dominus lux mea est

9 iram Domini portabo quoniam peccavi ei donec iudicet causam meam et faciat iudicium meum educet me in lucem videbo in iustitiam eius

10 et aspiciet inimica mea et operietur confusione quae dicit ad me ubi est Dominus Deus tuus oculi mei videbunt in eam nunc erit in conculcationem ut lutum platearum

11 dies ut aedificentur maceriae tuae in die illa longe fiet lex

12 in die illa et usque ad te veniet Assur et usque ad civitates munitas et a civitatibus munitis usque ad flumen et ad mare de mari et ad montem de monte

13 et erit terra in desolationem propter habitatores suos et propter fructum cogitationum eorum

14 pasce populum tuum in virga tua gregem hereditatis tuae habitantes solos in saltu in medio Carmeli pascentur Basan et Galaad iuxta dies antiquos

15 secundum dies egressionis tuae de terra Aegypti ostendam ei mirabilia

16 videbunt gentes et confundentur super omni fortitudine sua ponent manus super os aures eorum surdae erunt

17 lingent pulverem sicut serpens velut reptilia terrae proturbabuntur de aedibus suis Dominum Deum nostrum desiderabunt et timebunt te

18 quis Deus similis tui qui aufers iniquitatem et transis peccatum reliquiarum hereditatis tuae non inmittet ultra furorem suum quoniam volens misericordiam est

19 revertetur et miserebitur nostri deponet iniquitates nostras et proiciet in profundum maris omnia peccata nostra

20 dabis veritatem Iacob misericordiam Abraham quae iurasti patribus nostris a diebus antiquis

Micah 7 Commentary

Chapter 7

The general prevalence of wickedness. (1-7) Reliance on God, and triumph over enemies. (8-13) Promises and encouragements for Israel. (14-20)

Verses 1-7 The prophet bemoans himself that he lived among a people ripening apace for ruin, in which many good persons would suffer. Men had no comfort, no satisfaction in their own families or in their nearest relations. Contempt and violation of domestic duties are a sad symptom of universal corruption. Those are never likely to come to good who are undutiful to their parents. The prophet saw no safety or comfort but in looking to the Lord, and waiting on God his salvation. When under trials, we should look continually to our Divine Redeemer, that we may have strength and grace to trust in him, and to be examples to those around us.

Verses 8-13 Those truly penitent for sin, will see great reason to be patient under affliction. When we complain to the Lord of the badness of the times, we ought to complain against ourselves for the badness of our hearts. We must depend upon God to work deliverance for us in due time. We must not only look to him, but look for him. In our greatest distresses, we shall see no reason to despair of salvation, if by faith we look to the Lord as the God of our salvation. Though enemies triumph and insult, they shall be silenced and put to shame. Though Zion's walls may long be in ruins, there will come a day when they shall be repaired. Israel shall come from all the remote parts, not turning back for discouragements. Though our enemies may seem to prevail against us, and to rejoice over us, we should not despond. Though cast down, we are not destroyed; we may join hope in God's mercy, with submission to his correction. No hinderances can prevent the favours the Lord intends for his church.

Verses 14-20 When God is about to deliver his people, he stirs up their friends to pray for them. Apply spiritually the prophet's prayer to Christ, to take care of his church, as the great Shepherd of the sheep, and to go before them, while they are here in this world as in a wood, in this world but not of it. God promises in answer to this prayer, he will do that for them which shall be repeating the miracles of former ages. As their sin brought them into bondage, so God's pardoning their sin brought them out. All who find pardoning mercy, cannot but wonder at that mercy; we have reason to stand amazed, if we know what it is. When the Lord takes away the guilt of sin, that it may not condemn us, he will break the power of sin, that it may not have dominion over us. If left to ourselves, our sins will be too hard for us; but God's grace shall be sufficient to subdue them, so that they shall not rule us, and then they shall not ruin us. When God forgives sin, he takes care that it never shall be remembered any more against the sinner. He casts their sins into the sea; not near the shore-side, where they may appear again, but into the depth of the sea, never to rise again. All their sins shall be cast there, for when God forgives sin, he forgives all. He will perfect that which concerns us, and with this good work will do all for us which our case requires, and which he has promised. These engagements relate to Christ, and the success of the gospel to the end of time, the future restoration of Israel, and the final prevailing of true religion in all lands. The Lord will perform his truth and mercy, not one jot or tittle of it shall fall to the ground: faithful is He that has promised, who also will do it. Let us remember that the Lord has given the security of his covenant, for strong consolation to all who flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in Christ Jesus.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 7

This chapter begins with a lamentation of the prophet, in the name of the church and people of God, concerning the general depravity and corruption of the times in which he lived, Mic 7:1-6; then declares what he was determined to do for his relief in such circumstances, Mic 7:7; comforts himself and the church with a good hope and firm belief of its being otherwise and better with them, to the shame and confusion of their enemies that now rejoiced, though without just reason for it, Mic 7:8-10; with promises of deliverance, after a desolation of the land for some time, Mic 7:11-13; and with the answer returned to the prayers of the prophet, Mic 7:14,15; which would issue in the astonishment of the world, and their subjection to the church of God, Mic 7:16,17; and the chapter is concluded with admiration at the pardoning grace and mercy of God, and his faithfulness to his promises, Mic 7:18-20.