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Title = 'The Book of Micah';
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<p id="Chapter5" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 5
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<p id="Mic5_1"><a onclick="return mV('Mic',5,'1-15');">Mic 5:1-15</a>. THE CALAMITIES WHICH PRECEDE MESSIAH'S ADVENT. HIS KINGDOM, CONQUEST OF JACOB'S FOES, AND BLESSING UPON HIS PEOPLE.
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<p><b>1. gather thyself in troops</b>—that is, thou shalt do so, to resist the enemy. Lest the faithful should fall into carnal security because of the previous promises, he reminds them of the calamities which are to precede the prosperity.
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<br><br><b>daughter of troops</b>—Jerusalem is so called on account of her numerous <i>troops.</i>
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<br><br><b>he hath laid siege</b>—<i>the enemy</i> hath.
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<br><br><b>they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek</b>—the greatest of insults to an Oriental. Zedekiah, the judge (or <i>king,</i> <a onclick="return mV('Amo',2,3);">Amo 2:3</a>) of Israel, was loaded with insults by the Chaldeans; so also the other princes and judges (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,30);">Lam 3:30</a>). HENGSTENBERG thinks the expression, "the judge," marks a time when no king of the house of David reigned. The smiting on the cheek of other judges of Israel was a type of the same indignity offered to Him who nevertheless is the Judge, not only of Israel, but also of the world, and who is "from everlasting" (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',5,2);">Mic 5:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',50,6);">Isa 50:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',26,67);">Mat 26:67</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',27,30);">27:30</a>).
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<p id="Mic5_2"><b>2. Beth-lehem Ephratah</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',48,7);">Gen 48:7</a>), or, Beth-lehem Judah; so called to distinguish it from Beth-lehem in Zebulun. It is a few miles southwest of Jerusalem. Beth-lehem means "the house of bread"; <i>Ephratah</i> means "fruitful": both names referring to the fertility of the region.
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<br><br><b>though thou be little among</b>—<i>though thou be scarcely large enough to be reckoned among,</i> etc. It was insignificant in size and population; so that in <a onclick="return mV('Jos',15,21);">Jos 15:21</a>, etc., it is not enumerated among the cities of Judah; nor in the list in <a onclick="return mV('Neh',11,25);">Neh 11:25</a>, etc. Under Rehoboam it became a city: <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',11,6);">2Ch 11:6</a>, "He <i>built</i> Beth-lehem." <a onclick="return mV('Mat',2,6);">Mat 2:6</a> seems to contradict Micah, "thou art <i>not</i> the least," But really he, by an independent testimony of the Spirit, confirms the prophet, Little in <i>worldly</i> importance, thou art not least (that is, far from least, yea, <i>the very greatest</i>) among the thousands, of princes of Judah, in the spiritual significance of being the birthplace of Messiah (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',7,42);">Jhn 7:42</a>). God chooses the little things of the world to eclipse in glory its greatest things (<a onclick="return mV('Jdg',6,15);">Jdg 6:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,46);">Jhn 1:46</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,27,28);">1Cr 1:27-28</a>). The low state of David's line when Messiah was born is also implied here.
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<br><br><b>thousands</b>—Each tribe was divided into <i>clans</i> or "thousands" (each thousand containing a thousand families), which had their several heads or "princes"; hence in <a onclick="return mV('Mat',2,6);">Mat 2:6</a> it is quoted "princes," substantially the same as in Micah, and authoritatively explained in Matthew. It is not so much this thousand that is preferred to the other thousands of Judah, but the Governor or Chief Prince out of it, who is preferred to the governors of all the other thousands. It is called a "town" (rather in the <i>Greek,</i> "village"), <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',7,42);">Jhn 7:42</a>; though scarcely containing a thousand inhabitants, it is ranked among the "thousands" or larger divisions of the tribe, because of its being the cradle of David's line, and of the Divine Son of David. Moses divided the people into thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, with their respective "rulers" (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',18,25);">Exd 18:25</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',10,19);">1Sa 10:19</a> ).
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<br><br><b>unto me</b>—unto God the Father (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,32);">Luk 1:32</a>): to fulfil all the Father's will and purpose from eternity. So the Son declares (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',2,7);">Psa 2:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',40,7,8);">40:7-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',4,34);">Jhn 4:34</a>); and the Father confirms it (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',3,17);">Mat 3:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',12,18);">12:18</a>, compare with <a onclick="return mV('Isa',42,1);">Isa 42:1</a>). God's glory is hereby made the ultimate end of redemption.
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<br><br><b>ruler</b>—the "Shiloh," "Prince of peace," "on whose shoulders the government is laid" (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',49,10);">Gen 49:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,6);">Isa 9:6</a>). In <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',23,3);">2Sa 23:3</a>, "<i>He that ruleth</i> over men must be just," the same <i>Hebrew</i> word is employed; Messiah alone realizes David's ideal of a ruler. Also in <a onclick="return mV('Jer',30,21);">Jer 30:21</a>, "<i>their governor</i> shall proceed from the midst of them"; answering closely to "out of thee shall come forth <i>the ruler,</i>" here (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,'1-4');">Isa 11:1-4</a>).
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<br><br><b>goings forth...from everlasting</b>—The plain antithesis of this clause, to "come forth out of thee" (<i>from Beth-lehem</i>), shows that the eternal generation of the Son is meant. The terms convey the strongest assertion of infinite duration of which the <i>Hebrew</i> language is capable (compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',90,2);">Psa 90:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Pro',8,22,23);">Pro 8:22-23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a>). Messiah's generation as man coming forth unto God to do His will on earth is <i>from Beth-lehem;</i> but as Son of God, His goings forth are <i>from everlasting.</i> The promise of the Redeemer at first was vaguely general (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,15);">Gen 3:15</a>). Then the Shemitic division of mankind is declared as the quarter in which He was to be looked for (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',9,26,27);">Gen 9:26-27</a>); then it grows clearer, defining the race and nation whence the Deliverer should come, namely, the seed of Abraham, the Jews (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',12,3);">Gen 12:3</a>); then the particular tribe, Judah (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',49,10);">Gen 49:10</a>); then the family, that of David (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',89,19,20);">Psa 89:19-20</a>); then the very town of His birth, here. And as His coming drew nigh, the very parentage (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',1,'1-17');">Mat 1:1-17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,'26-35');">Luk 1:26-35</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,'1-7');">2:1-7</a>); and then all the scattered rays of prophecy concentrate in Jesus, as their focus (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,1,2);">Hbr 1:1-2</a>).
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<p id="Mic5_3"><b>3.</b> "<i>Therefore</i> (because of His settled plan) <i>will</i> God <i>give up</i> to their foes His people Israel, <i>until,</i>" etc.
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<br><br><b>she which travaileth hath brought forth</b>—namely, "the virgin" mother, mentioned by Micah's contemporary, <a onclick="return mV('Isa',7,14);">Isa 7:14</a>. <i>Zion</i> "in travail" (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,9,10);">Mic 4:9-10</a>) answers to the <i>virgin</i> in travail of Messiah. Israel's deliverance from her long travail-pains of sorrow will synchronize with the appearance of Messiah as her Redeemer (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,26);">Rom 11:26</a>) in the last days, as the Church's spiritual deliverance synchronized with the virgin's giving birth to Him at His first advent. The ancient <i>Church's</i> travail-like waiting for Messiah is represented by <i>the virgin's</i> travail. Hence, <i>both</i> may be meant. It cannot be <i>restricted</i> to the Virgin Mary: for Israel is still "given up," though Messiah has been "brought forth" almost two thousand years ago. But the Church's throes are included, which are only to be ended when Christ, having been preached for a witness to all nations, shall at last appear as the Deliverer of Jacob, and when the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, and Israel as a nation shall be born in a day (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',66,'7-11');">Isa 66:7-11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',21,24);">Luk 21:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',12,1,2,4);">Rev 12:1-2, 4</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,22);">Rom 8:22</a>).
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<br><br><b>the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel</b>—(Compare <a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,7);">Mic 4:7</a>). The remainder of the Israelites dispersed in foreign lands shall return to join their countrymen in Canaan. The <i>Hebrew</i> for "unto" is, literally, "upon," implying superaddition to those already gathered.
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<p id="Mic5_4"><b>4. he shall stand</b>—that is, persevere: implying the endurance of His kingdom [CALVIN]. Rather, His sedulous care and pastoral circumspection, as a shepherd <i>stands</i> erect to survey and guard His flock on every side (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',61,5);">Isa 61:5</a>) [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>feed</b>—that is, rule: as the <i>Greek</i> word similarly in <a onclick="return mV('Mat',2,6);">Mat 2:6</a>, <i>Margin,</i> means both "feed" and "rule" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,11);">Isa 40:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,10);">49:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',34,23);">Eze 34:23</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',5,2);">2Sa 5:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',7,8);">7:8</a>).
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<br><br><b>in the majesty of the name of the Lord</b>—possessing the majesty of all Jehovah's <i>revealed attributes</i> ("name") (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,2);">Isa 11:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,6,9);">Phl 2:6, 9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',2,'7-9');">Hbr 2:7-9</a>).
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<br><br><b>his God</b>—God is "<i>His</i> God" in a oneness of relation distinct from the sense in which God is <i>our</i> God (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',20,17);">Jhn 20:17</a>).
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<br><br><b>they shall abide</b>—the Israelites ("they," namely, the <i>returning remnant</i> and the "children of Israel previously in Canaan) shall <i>dwell in permanent security and prosperity</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,4);">Mic 4:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,30);">Isa 14:30</a>).
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<br><br><b>unto the ends of the earth</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,1);">Mic 4:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',72,8);">Psa 72:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',9,10);">Zec 9:10</a>).
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<p id="Mic5_5"><b>5. this man</b>—in <i>Hebrew</i> simply "This." The One just mentioned; He and He alone. Emphatical for Messiah (compare <a onclick="return mV('Gen',5,29);">Gen 5:29</a>).
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<br><br><b>the peace</b>—the fountainhead of peace between God and man, between Israel and Israel's justly offended God (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',49,10);">Gen 49:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,6);">Isa 9:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',2,14,17);">Eph 2:14, 17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,20);">Col 1:20</a>), and, as the consequence, the fountain of "peace on earth," where heretofore all is strife (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,3);">Mic 4:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',2,18);">Hsa 2:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',9,10);">Zec 9:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,14);">Luk 2:14</a>).
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<br><br><b>the Assyrian</b>—Being Israel's most powerful foe at that time, Assyria is made the representative of all the foes of Israel in all ages, who shall receive their final destruction at Messiah's appearing (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',38,'1-23');">Eze 38:1-23</a>).
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<br><br><b>seven shepherds, and eight</b>—"Seven" expresses perfection; "seven and eight" is an idiom for <i>a full and sufficient number</i> (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Job',5,19);">Job 5:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Pro',6,16);">Pro 6:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ecc',11,2);">Ecc 11:2</a>).
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<br><br><b>principal men</b>—literally, "anointed (humble) men" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',62,9);">Psa 62:9</a>), such as the apostles were. Their anointing, or consecration and qualification to office, was by the Holy Spirit [CALVIN] (<a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,20,27);">1Jo 2:20, 27</a>). "Princes" also were anointed, and they are mentioned as under Messiah (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,1);">Isa 32:1</a>). <i>English Version</i> therefore gives the probable sense.
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<p id="Mic5_6"><b>6. waste</b>—literally, "eat up": following up the metaphor of "shepherds" (compare <a onclick="return mV('Num',22,4);">Num 22:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',6,3);">Jer 6:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>land of Nimrod</b>—Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,10);">Mic 4:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',10,10);">Gen 10:10</a>); or, including Assyria also, to which he extended his borders (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',10,11);">Gen 10:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>in the entrances</b>—the passes into Assyria (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',3,21);">2Ki 3:21</a>). The <i>Margin</i> and JEROME, misled by a needless attention to the parallelism, "with the sword," translate, "with her own naked swords"; as in <a onclick="return mV('Psa',55,21);">Psa 55:21</a> the <i>Hebrew</i> is translated. But "in the entrances" of Assyria, answers to, "within our borders." As the Assyrians invade <i>our borders,</i> so shall <i>their own</i> borders or "entrances" be invaded.
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<br><br><b>he...he</b>—<i>Messiah</i> shall deliver us, when the <i>Assyrian</i> shall come.
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<p id="Mic5_7"><b>7. remnant of Jacob</b>—already mentioned in <a onclick="return mV('Mic',5,3);">Mic 5:3</a>. It in comparative smallness stands in antithesis to the "many people." Though Israel be but a remnant amidst many nations after her restoration, yet she shall exercise the same blessed influence in quickening them spiritually that the small imperceptible dew exercises in refreshing the grass (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',32,2);">Deu 32:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',72,6);">Psa 72:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',110,3);">110:3</a>). The influence of the Jews restored from Babylon in making many Gentile proselytes is an earnest of a larger similar effect hereafter (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Isa',66,19);">Isa 66:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,13);">Zec 8:13</a>).
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<br><br><b>from the Lord</b>—Israel's restoration and the consequent conversion of the Gentiles are solely of grace.
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<br><br><b>tarrieth not for man</b>—entirely God's work, as independent of human contrivance as the dew and rains that fertilize the soil.
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<p id="Mic5_8"><b>8. as a lion</b>—In <a onclick="return mV('Mic',5,7);">Mic 5:7</a> Israel's benignant influence on the nations is described; but here her vengeance on the godless hosts who assail her (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',66,15,16,19,24);">Isa 66:15-16, 19, 24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',12,3,6,8,9);">Zec 12:3, 6, 8-9,</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',15,17,18);">4:17-18</a>). Judah will be "as as lion," not in respect to its cruelty, but in its power of striking terror into all opponents. Under the Maccabees, the Jews acquired Idumea, Samaria, and parts of the territory of Ammon and Moab [GROTIUS]. But this was only the earnest of their future glory on their coming restoration.
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<p id="Mic5_9"><b>9. Thine hand shall be lifted up</b>—In <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Isa',26,11);">Isa 26:11</a> it is <i>Jehovah's</i> hand that is lifted up; here <i>Israel's</i> as <a onclick="return mV('Mic',5,8);">Mic 5:8</a> implies, just as "Zion" is addressed and directed to "beat in pieces many people" (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,13);">Mic 4:13</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',54,15,17);">Isa 54:15, 17</a>). For Israel's foes are Jehovah's foes. When her hand is said to be lifted up, it is Jehovah's hand that strikes the foe by her (compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',13,9);">Exd 13:9</a>, with <a onclick="return mV('Exd',14,8);">Exd 14:8</a>).
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<p id="Mic5_10"><b>10. cut off thy horses...chariots</b>—namely, those used for the purposes of war. Israel had been forbidden the use of cavalry, or to go to Egypt for horses (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',17,16);">Deu 17:16</a>), lest they should trust in worldly forces, rather than in God (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',20,7);">Psa 20:7</a>). Solomon had disregarded this command (<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',10,26, 28);">1Ki 10:26, 28</a>). Hereafter, saith God, I will remove these impediments to the free course of My grace: horses, chariots, etc., on which ye trust. The Church will never be safe, till she is stripped of all creature trusts, and rests on Jehovah alone [CALVIN]. The universal peace given by God shall cause warlike instruments to be needless. He will <i>cut</i> them <i>off</i> from Israel (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',9,10);">Zec 9:10</a>); as she will cut them off from Babylon, the representative of the nations (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,37);">Jer 50:37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,21);">51:21</a>).
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<p id="Mic5_11"><b>11. cut off...cities...strongholds</b>—such as are fortified for war. In that time of peace, men shall live in unwalled villages (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',38,11);">Eze 38:11</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',23,6);">Jer 23:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,31);">49:31</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',2,8);">Zec 2:8</a>).
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<p id="Mic5_12"><b>12. witchcrafts out of thine hand</b>—that is, which thou now usest.
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<p id="Mic5_13"><b>13. graven images...cut off</b>—(Compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',2,8, '18-21');">Isa 2:8, 18-21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,22);">30:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',13,2);">Zec 13:2</a>).
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<br><br><b>standing images</b>—statues.
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<p id="Mic5_14"><b>14. groves...cities</b>—The "groves" are the idolatrous symbol of Astarte (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',16,21);">Deu 16:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',21,7);">2Ki 21:7</a>). "Cities" being parallel to "groves," must mean cities in or near which such idolatrous groves existed. Compare "city of the house of Baal" (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',10,25);">2Ki 10:25</a>), that is, a portion of the city sacred to Baal.
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<p id="Mic5_15"><b>15. vengeance...such as they have not heard</b>—or, as the <i>Hebrew order</i> favors, "the <i>nations</i> that have not hearkened to My warnings." So the <i>Septuagint</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',149,7);">Psa 149:7</a>).
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