Secondly, Israel shall be a terrible power among the nations, and invincible in strength. (" Nova theocratica agit suaviter et fortiter " (Knabenbauer). As a lion. The Lamb of God is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah ( Revelation 5:5 ; Numbers 23:24 ), and he "is set for the fall and rising again of many" ( Luke 2:34 ). In his irresistible strength Israel shall overcome all enemies. So Judas Maccabaeus is compared to a lion (1Mal Micah 3:4 ). read more
The prophet's exulting prayer for the success of his people. Thine band shall be, etc.; rather, let thine hand be lifted up; and so in the next clause, "let thine enemies be out off." The phrase, "high be thy hand upon, or over," recalls the expression in Exodus 14:8 , "The children of Israel went out with an high hand" (comp. Numbers 33:3 ; Isaiah 26:11 ; and our idiom, "to get the upper hand"). (For the promise contained in the prayer, see Isaiah 60:12 .) read more
And the remnant of Jacob shall be as a young lion - o: “What more unlike than the sweetness of the dew and the fierceness of the lion? What so different as the gentle shower distilling on the herb, and the savageness or vehemence of a lion roaring among “the flocks of sheeps?” Yet both are ascribed to “the remnant of Jacob.” Why? Because the Apostles of Christ are both tender and severe, tender in teaching and exhorting, severe in rebuking and avenging. How does Paul teach, “God was in Christ... read more
Their hand shall be lifted up upon their adversaries - The might of the Church is the Might of Christ in her, and the glory of the Church is His from whom it comes and to whom it returns. It is all one, whether this be said to Christ or to the “remnant of Jacob, that is, His Church. Her “enemies” are His, and her’s only because they are His, and hate her as belonging to Him. They “shall be cut off,” either ceasing to be His enemies, or ceasing to be, as Julian or Arius or antichrist, “whom the... read more
Micah 5:8. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles as a lion For strength and courage, which the beasts of the forest dare not oppose, and cannot resist. This seems to be a prediction of what was to be effected in the times of the Maccabees, and those following them, when the Jewish people gained great advantages over the Idumeans, Moabites, Ammonites, Samaritans, &c. Or, as the former verse describes the benefits which the converted Jews should bring to those Gentiles... read more
God’s chosen king (5:2-15)Ruling over Israel in this golden age will be a king specially chosen by God. He will have only a humble beginning, being born in the small Judean town of Bethlehem. But his ancestry will go back to ancient times, to the great king David, who himself came from Bethlehem and whose dynasty was guaranteed by God to last for ever. This king will have full right to David’s throne, and through him God’s promises to David will be fulfilled (2; cf. 1 Samuel 17:12; 2 Samuel... read more
shall be, &c. This refers to restored Israel "in that day"; not to any other people now. people. Hebrew = peoples. as a lion, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 23:24 ; Numbers 24:9 ). App-92 . read more
shall be out off. Note the Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ), in the repetition, "cut off", four times in verses: Micah 5:9-13 . All this refers eventually to restored Israel. read more
"And the renmant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples, as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if he go through, treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and there is none to deliver."There, at first, appears to be here a denial of the peaceful character and benevolent behavior of God's people when scattered throughout the world; but the prophet was not speaking of that. He had reference to the consequence of the knowledge of God on the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:7-15
The spiritual influence of good men symbolized. By "the remnant of Jacob" is intended the good who were to be found in the land of Judah; for in the most corrupt times God has ever had a people to show forth his praise. The expression may be taken as descriptive of good, holy, spiritual men; and it is here declared that these shall exert among the nations a gracious influence. Notice— I. THE SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE OF GOOD MEN IS HERE SET FORTH BY MEANS OF ... read more