Micah 4:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Micah 4:8-13

These verses relate to Zion and Jerusalem, here called the tower of the flock or the tower of Edor; we read of such a place (Gen. 35:21) near Bethlehem; and some conjecture it is the same place where the shepherds were keeping their flocks when the angels brought them tidings of the birth of Christ, and some think Bethlehem itself is here spoken of, as Mic. 5:2. Some think it is a tower at that gate of Jerusalem which is called the sheep-gate (Neh. 3:32), and conjecture that through that gate... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:12

But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel ,.... Which are very different from theirs: the thoughts and designs of the enemies of Zion, in the times of the Maccabees, were, to destroy utterly the people of God, and root them out of the earth, and abolish their religion and worship; but the intentions of God were to defeat them, and bring them to ruin: the views of the kings of the earth, being stirred up by unclean spirits to the battle of Almighty God,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:12

But they know not the thoughts of the Lord - These think that God has utterly rejected his people, and they shall have a troublesome neighbor no more: but this is not his design; he will afflict them for a time; but these, the enemies of his people, he will gather as sheaves into the threshing-floor, there to be trodden, and the wheel to go over them. This is the counsel, the purpose of God, which these do not understand. The persons here referred to are not only the Chaldeans which were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:12

Verse 12 Consolation follows, But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, nor understand his counsel: for verbs in the past tense have the meaning of the present. Here the Prophet recalls the attention of the godly to a subject the most suitable to them: for when the wicked rise up so cruelly against us, we are apt to think that all things are allowed to them, and then their reproaches and slanders immediately take possession of our minds and thoughts, so that we in a manner measure God’s... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 4:9-13

The moral regeneration of the world. "Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion," etc. The prophet here, without doubt, refers to the carrying away of the Jews to Babylon. He refers to the consternation in which the Jews would be placed on the approach of the Chaldean army, The questions relative to a "king" and a "counsellor" ( Micah 4:9 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 4:11-13

§ 7. Rescued from Babylon, Zion overcomes all enemies in the strength of God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 4:12

But the enemies who came to exult over Zion do not know God's design while blindly working it out. God's people are not to be destroyed, but their adversaries. They know not the thoughts of the Lord. The heathen, who were the instruments of God's wrath against his people, knew nothing of his purpose in thus afflicting them, nor perceived that they themselves were drawn together for punishment. He shall gather ( hath gathered ) them as the sheaves into the floor. Their blindness is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Micah 4:12

But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they His counsel - The pagan did, for their own ends, what God willed for His. The first step was the same; God willed that His people should be punished; they willed to punish them. But all which lay beyond, they saw not; that God willed (on their repentance) to pardon His own people, but to punish themselves for their pride Isaiah 10:7, Isaiah 10:12 and cruelty Zechariah 1:15, Zechariah 1:19. : “Almighty God corrects the elect... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Micah 4:11-12

Micah 4:11-12. Now also The time is at hand; many nations are gathered against thee This may be understood of the Chaldeans and their associates, who pleased themselves with the thoughts of profaning the temple, laying waste the city of Jerusalem, and looking upon it in that condition. Or, it may be understood of the heathen nations round about Jerusalem, who should take occasion to insult the Jews in their calamity, should please themselves with seeing the temple profaned, and should... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Micah 4:1-13

4:1-5:15 THE IDEAL KINGDOMShame replaced by glory (4:1-5:1)Previously Micah recorded God’s promise that the people of Israel would come from captivity back to their land (see 2:12-13). He now looks beyond that to the greater day when God’s ideal king reigns and Jerusalem is the religious centre of the world. People of all nations desire to worship God and learn his law, with the result that there is universal peace and contentment (4:1-4). This future hope encourages Micah and his few fellow... read more

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