lay their hand, &c Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for silence, of which it was the token their ears. Some codices, with four early printed and sign. See Job 21:5 ; Job 29:9 ; Job 40:4 . their ears. Some codices, with lour early printed editions, read "and their". read more
"The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth; their ears shall be deaf. They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee."Most of the commentators attempting an explanation of these verses apply them to "the abject surrender" of the Gentile nations to Israel in the days of... read more
Micah 7:16. The nations shall see— The prophet speaks here, to the end of the chapter; foretelling the miracles of the rising church, and the pardon of sins to be given by the Lord Jesus Christ. See Houbigant. read more
16. shall see—the "marvellous things" (Micah 7:15; Isaiah 26:11). confounded at all their might—having so suddenly proved unavailing: that might wherewith they had thought that there is nothing which they could not effect against God's people. lay . . . hand upon . . . mouth—the gesture of silence (Job 21:5; Job 40:4; Psalms 107:42; Isaiah 52:15). They shall be struck dumb at Israel's marvellous deliverance, and no longer boast that God's people is destroyed. ears . . . deaf—They shall stand... read more
E. Micah’s confidence in the Lord 7:8-20This final section of the book is also in the form of a lament (cf. Micah 7:1-7). While Micah spoke as an individual, he spoke for the faithful remnant of Israelites in his day. His sentiments would have been theirs. Thus the lament is communal, but it gives way to glorious praise. Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and many of the psalmists likewise prayed as spokesmen for the faithful as well as for themselves (cf. Daniel 9; Ezra 9; Nehemiah 9; Lamentations... read more
2. Prayer for deliverance 7:14-17 read more
The Gentile nations will observe this miracle and feel ashamed because they will realize that all their might is inferior to God’s power demonstrated in bringing Israel home (cf. Micah 7:7; Micah 3:7). They will not want to speak out against Yahweh or Israel because of reverence and awe or hear any more about what God is doing for His people, apparently because His power will be so overwhelming. read more
Confession and Contrition Bring Back Hope1-6. Jerusalem laments her estate. The righteous among her children are taken from her by violence (Micah 7:1-2). The rulers misuse their position for their selfish ends (Micah 7:3-4). Worst of all, the trust of a man in his neighbour’s honour, which makes the cement of all society, is gone. Even the ties of nature are disowned (Micah 7:5-6).1. Desired the firstripe fruit] RV ’desireth the firstripe fig,’ which, now the harvest is past, is gone. The... read more
Chastisement and Mercy Micah 7:8-9 When Christians have gone wrong in any way, whether in belief or in practice, scandalously or secretly, it seems that pardon is not explicitly and definitely promised them in Scripture as a matter of course; and the mere fact that they afterwards become better men, and are restored to God's favour, does not decide the question whether they are in every sense pardoned; for David was restored and yet was afterwards punished. It is still a question whether a... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Micah 7:1-20
Sin, repentance and forgiveness (7:1-20)Speaking as one of the genuine believers in the nation, Micah confesses that God’s accusations are true. The prophet can find nothing to satisfy him in the life of the people as a whole. Judah as a nation is fruitless and of no use to God (7:1).All around him Micah sees a society that is in a state of moral decay. Gang warfare is widespread, and law-breakers buy protection from judges. Rich businessmen and other influential persons bribe government... read more