Matthew Henry Commentary Micah 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
Micah 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
Micah 5
"Now shalt thou gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us; they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And he shall stand, and shall feed [his flock] in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God: and they shall abide; for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And this [man] shall be [our] peace. When the Assyrian shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our border." — Micah 5:1-6 (ASV)
Having shown how low the house of David would be brought, a prediction of the Messiah and His kingdom is added to encourage the faith of God's people. His existence from eternity as God and His office as Mediator are mentioned. Here it is foretold that Bethlehem would be His birthplace. Therefore, it was universally known among the Jews (Matthew 2:5). Christ's government will be very happy for His subjects; they will be safe and at ease.
Under the shadow of protection from the Assyrians is a promise of protection to the gospel church and all believers from the designs and attempts of the powers of darkness. Christ is our Peace, both as a Priest who makes atonement for sin and reconciles us to God, and as a King who conquers our enemies; therefore, our souls may dwell at ease in Him. Christ will find instruments to protect and deliver.
Those who threaten ruin to the church of God soon bring ruin on themselves. This may include the past powerful effects of the preached gospel, its future spread, and the ruin of all antichristian powers.
This prophecy is, perhaps, the most important single prophecy in the Old Testament: it concerns the personal character of the Messiah and the revelations of Himself to the world. It distinguishes His human birth from His existing from eternity; it foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews for a season, their final restoration, and the universal peace that will prevail throughout the whole earth in the latter days.
Meanwhile, let us trust our Shepherd's care and power. If He permits the assault of our enemies, He will supply helpers and assistance for us.
"And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Jehovah, as showers upon the grass, that tarry not for man, nor wait for the sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, 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. Let thy hand be lifted up above thine adversaries, and let all thine enemies be cut off. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and will destroy thy chariots: and I will cut off the cities of thy land, and will throw down all thy strongholds. And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy hand; and thou shalt have no [more] soothsayers: and I will cut off thy graven images and thy pillars out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thy hands; and I will pluck up thine Asherim out of the midst of thee; and I will destroy thy cities. And I will execute vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations which hearkened not." — Micah 5:7-15 (ASV)
The remnant of Israel, converted to Christ in the early times, were among many nations like the drops of dew and were made instruments in calling a large increase of spiritual worshippers. But to those who neglected or opposed this salvation, they would, like lions, cause terror, their doctrine condemning them.
The Lord also declares that he would cause not only the reformation of the Jews, but the purification of the Christian church.
In the same way, we shall be assured of victory in our personal conflicts, as we simply depend upon the Lord our salvation, worship him, and serve him with diligence.
Jump to: