Micah 7:7-20

Micah 7:7-Proverbs : . Israel’ s Confession of Faith.— This undoubtedly post-exilic utterance of Israel’ s confidence in. Yahweh’ s delivering intervention falls into three portions, probably once distinct, viz. Micah 7:7-2 Samuel : (the time of Messianic deliverance will come); Micah 7:11-1 Chronicles : (Jerusalem will be repeopled); Micah 7:14-Proverbs : (Yahweh will renew His kindness to Israel). The first and third of these have numerous affinities with the Psalter; the second, by its anticipation of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, dates itself between 586 and 444 B.C. Israel proclaims her confidence in the deliverance ( salvation) from her heathen oppressors which is about to come from Yahweh ( Psalms 5:3; Psalms 13:05 b, Psalms 25:5). Let not the foe prematurely rejoice ( Obadiah 1:2), for Israel “ falls to rise” (“ when,” both times, should be “ though” ), and Yahweh will turn her present darkness into light ( Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 58:10). Yahweh’ s wrath (inferred from national calamities; cf. 2 Kings 23:26) is due to the sin which Israel now confesses ( Psalms 51:4 ff., Isaiah 42:24 f.), and the time will come ( Psalms 103:9) when Yahweh will Himself vindicate His people. Then Israel shall be satisfied with vengeance (Ob. passim) on the foe who mocked Israel’ s God ( Psalms 79:10; Psalms 115:2, Joel 2:17). When the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt ( cf. 2 Kings 25:10), the boundary ( Micah 7:11 mg.) of Israel’ s territory will be enlarged ( Isaiah 26:15; Isaiah 33:17 cf. Zechariah 2:4), and the Jews, now dispersed throughout the world, will return ( Ezekiel 34:13, Isaiah 27:12, Psalms 107:2; the “ river” is the Euphrates ( cf. Deuteronomy 1:7); the references to “ sea” and “ mountain” are general). The whole earth (not “ land” ) shall be laid waste ( Isaiah 24:4 f.) because of heathen sin ( Micah 7:11-1 Chronicles :). Yahweh is invoked to shepherd ( cf. Micah 2:12) with His club ( Psalms 23:4) His chosen flock, now isolated on the wooded hills of Judæ a in the midst of a fertile land denied to them; let Him restore their lost pasture-grounds ( Jeremiah 50:19). Yahweh promises to parallel the miracle of the Exodus, so that the heathen shall be struck deaf and dumb ( Job 21:5; Job 40:4), and prostrate themselves humbly before Yahweh ( Psalms 72:9, Isaiah 49:23). Israel declares the uniqueness of Yahweh, and glories in His loving-kindness ( Psalms 103:3); He will trample upon Israel’ s sins, and render faithfulness and kindness ( Exodus 34:6) to the descendants of the patriarchs (here named as epitomising Israel) according to His promises ( Genesis 22:16 ff; Genesis 28:13, etc.).

Micah 7:14 . heritage ( cf. Deuteronomy 32:9). Read “ garden” for Carmel (its literal meaning), and for the contrast implied cf. Isaiah 32:15, last clause, the same word being there rendered “ fruitful field” ; Jeremiah 4:26 mg. In Micah 7:15, we should probably emend to “ Shew unto us” .

Micah 7:18 . Cf. Exodus 15:11, Psalms 77:13; the comparison with other gods survived into post-exilic monotheism.

Micah 7:19 . There is no exact parallel to the figure of “ trampling” upon sin, but cf. Genesis 4:7, Psalms 65:3 a, where sin is personified as man’ s enemy.