Bible Commentaries
Micah 7

Verse 1

Mic 7:1. The prophet uses the first person in describing the undone condition of the nation, not that he is personally involved in the misdeeds so generally being committed. He describes the situation by likening the nation t.o a vineyard from which the main crop has been gathered. In such a stage one would not even find a single whole bunch of grapes that had matured, much less a piece of fruit among the firstripe.

Verse 2

Mic 7:2. Dropping the figures, the prophet uses literal language and explains that there is scarcely a good man. Most of them have taken to murder and treachery and to the de-frauding of the righteous out of their rightful possessions.

Verse 3

Mic 7:3. The main subject of this verse is conspiracy to do wrong, which we have learned is especially displeas-ing to God. There were three classes who formed the conspiracy-; the prince, the fudge, and the great or “older.’’ The thing which the three conspirators wished to obtain was a reward which is used in the sense of bribe. Wrap is from ahath, and Strong’s definition is. "A primitive root; to Interlace, i.e. (figuratively) to pervert.” The first part of the definition is especially applicable in this place, because to conspire together is the same as being interlaced in a transaction.

Verse 4

Mic 7:4. A brier and a thorn are very undesirable objects, and the prophet uses them to illustrate the best that Israel as a whole could produce. Day of thy watchman means the day that had been seen coming by the watchmen on the wails of the cities. It was the duty of a watchman to be on the alert and to warn his fellow citizens when he saw an enemy approaching. Of course only an inspired "watchman could see the enemy in the present case, which was the army of the Assyrian Empire, and a true prophet constituted such a watchman, (See Eze 3:17.) Visitation means the arrival and application of the perplexing chastisement of siege and capture.

Verse 5

Mic 7:5. This vense certainly paints a dark picture of society, for the advice given seems to be a contradiction of all the well established rules of friendship. It is a clear example of the Incompleteness of many passages in the Bible if we stop with any particular verse, for such divisions are the arbitrary work of man and are done for convenience, and often cause a thought to be divided in the wrong place. We should always be watchful for this condition and not form a conclusion until we know we have considered all that is being offered on the subject.

Verse 6

Mic 7:6. The apparent difficulty in the preceding verse is accounted for in this. When people are normal in their attitude toward others such advice as the foregoing is uncallerl-for. But al! the usual influences between the various relations of members of families had become so corrupted that nobody eould be trusted. Jesus predicted a similar condition would come after He had done his work on the earth (Mat 10:34-36). In his case the situation was to be caused by the teaching which was to be delivered to mankind, because many would reject it and hence would become enemies of those who accepted it. Doubtless some such motives figured in the case as Micah sow it.

Verse 7

Mic 7:7. A companion verse for this one Is Psa 27:10 which I shall quote in its entirety; “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Micah advised his people to be distrustful of even their nearest relatives, hence it was appropriate for him to say, Therefore I will look unto the Lord. This would be a good plan for general use at all times. Our fiesh and blood relatives cannot be relied upon as Infallible supports, especially when the matters of the soul are at stake.

Verse 8

Mic 7:8. God has frequently used the heathen nations to chastise His wayward people, but never would tolerate their selfish motive in the performance of it. Such is the thought in this verse, and the enemy is given to understand that the depression of Israel was not to be permanent. The people of God cannot fall so low but that He can raise them up again and show the divine love for the nation.

Verse 9

Mic 7:9. This verse represents the attitude that the people of Israel should show with reference to the Lord’s punishment of them. They should be willing to hear the Indignation because it is just and proper since they have sinned against Him. When the proper time comes God will plead their cause and execute judgment against the enemies who have been In-struments in the Lord’s hands in administering chastisement upon the disobedient nation. When that time arrives the people of Israel will realize that all of the Lord’s dealings have been in righteousness.

Verse 10

Mic 7:10. Not only would Israel see the justice in the punishment she had suffered, but. the nation that had been used as the instrument of God for such a purpose will be brought to see it, and shame shall cover her which said. Where is the Lord thy Godf The fulfillment of this predic-tion may be seen in Daniel 5.

Verse 11

Mic 7:11. This is a prediction of the restoration of Israel to her own land and to the rebuilding of her city. The fulfillment of this is recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Verse 12

Mic 7:12. The general return of God’s people from all places of exile is predicted in this verse. Assyria is named because the first deportation out of Palestine was to be at the hand of that people, but before the final return to the home land they will have been taken over by another great empire, the Babylonians. The river refers to the Euphrates River which was the easternmost boundary of the territory promised to Abraham (Genesis 15; Genesis 18).

Verse 13

Mic 7:13. But before the happy event can happen, the land must go through the experience of desolation. This is to be charged up against them that dwell therein (the people of Israel) because of the fruit, of their doings. The exile or captivity of both kingdoms of the Jews was to be a chastise-ment upon them for their unfaithfulness to God regarding the law that had been enjoined upon them at Mt, Sinai.

Verse 14

Mic 7:14. Feed (or rule or guide) thy people is Micah’s way of predicting that God would again care for His people after they have gone through (heir desolation period.

Verse 15

Mic 7:15. The reference to 'the day of Egypt is for comparison. Israel was brought out of bondage in that country. and she will also be released from Babylonian captivity.

Verse 16

Mic 7:16. In view of the comparatively small number in Israel at the time of the release, it will be a surprise to see their accomplishments. Lag their hand upon their month indicates that the circumstance will be so marvelous in the eyes of the heathen that they will not be able to say anything.

Verse 17

Mic 7:17. Lick the dust is a figurative prediction of the humiliation of the heathen nations when they see the triumph of Israel. Be afraid of the Lord our God means they will be stunned with awe and forced to respect the might of the God of Israel.

Verse 18

Mic 7:18. The most wonderful feature of God’s treatment of his unfaithful people is his willingness to forgive them. Their many abominations would seem to justify (heir utter extinction, yet His great love preserved them and restored them again to their home land after the necessary punishment had been administered.

Verse 19

Mic 7:19. Subdue our iniquities has special reference to the complete cure of idolatry that the captivity effected upon Israel. See the historical note on this subject with the comments on Isa 1:25 in volume 3 of this Com-mentary,

Verse 20

Mic 7:20. Perform the truth means that God will prove the truth of all His promises to Jacob or Israel, which had first been made to Abraham the founder of the race.