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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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Title = 'The Book of Micah';
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SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER 7';
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<p id="Chapter7" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 7
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<p id="Mic7_1"><a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,'1-20');">Mic 7:1-20</a>. THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE CORRUPTION; THE CHOSEN REMNANT, DRIVEN FROM EVERY HUMAN CONFIDENCE, TURNS TO GOD; TRIUMPHS BY FAITH OVER HER ENEMIES; IS COMFORTED BY GOD'S PROMISES IN ANSWER TO PRAYER, AND BY THE CONFUSION OF HER ENEMIES, AND SO BREAKS FORTH INTO PRAISES OF GOD'S CHARACTER.
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<p><b>1. I am as when,</b> etc.—It is the same with me as with one seeking fruits after the harvest, grapes after the vintage. "There is not a cluster" to be found: no "first-ripe fruit" (or "early fig"; see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Isa/Isa028.html#Isa28_4">Isa 28:4</a>) which "my soul desireth" [MAURER]. So I look in vain for any good men left (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,2);">Mic 7:2</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_2"><b>2.</b> The <i>Hebrew</i> expresses "one <i>merciful and good</i> in relation to man," rather than to God.
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<br><br><b>is perished out of the earth</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',12,1);">Psa 12:1</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_3"><b>3. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly</b>—literally, "Their hands are for evil that they may do it well" (that is, cleverly and successfully).
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<br><br><b>the great man, he</b>—emphatic repetition. <i>As for the great man, he</i> no sooner has expressed his bad desire (literally, the "mischief or lust of his soul), than the venal judges are ready to wrest the decision of the case according to his wish.
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<br><br><b>so they wrap it up</b>—The <i>Hebrew</i> is used of <i>intertwining cords together.</i> The "threefold cord is not quickly broken" (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Ecc',4,12);">Ecc 4:12</a>); here the "prince," the "judge," and the "great man" are the three in guilty complicity. "They wrap it up," namely, they conspire to carry out the great man's desire at the sacrifice of justice.
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<p id="Mic7_4"><b>4. as a brier</b>—or <i>thorn;</i> pricking with injury all who come in contact with them (<a onclick="return mV('2Sa',23,6);">2Sa 23:6</a>, <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',23,7);">7</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',55,13);">Isa 55:13</a> <a onclick="return mV('Eze',2,6);">Eze 2:6</a>).
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<br><br><b>the day of thy watchmen</b>—the day foretold by thy (true) prophets, as the time of "thy visitation" in wrath [GROTIUS]. Or, "the day of thy <i>false</i> prophets being punished"; they are specially threatened as being not only blind themselves, but leading others blindfold [CALVIN].
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<br><br><b>now</b>—at the time foretold, "at that time"; the prophet transporting himself into it.
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<br><br><b>perplexity</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',22,5);">Isa 22:5</a>). They shall not know whither to turn.
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<p id="Mic7_5"><b>5. Trust ye not in a friend</b>—Faith is kept nowhere: all to a man are treacherous (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',9,'2-6');">Jer 9:2-6</a>). When justice is perverted by the great, faith nowhere is safe. So, in gospel times of persecution, "a man's foes are they of his own household" (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',10,35);">Mat 10:35</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Mat',10,36);">36</a> <a onclick="return mV('Luk',12,53);">Luk 12:53</a>).
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<br><br><b>guide</b>—a counsellor [CALVIN] able to help and advise (compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',118,8);">Psa 118:8</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Psa',118,9);">9</a> 146:3). <i>The head of your family,</i> to whom all the members of the family would naturally repair in emergencies. Similarly the <i>Hebrew</i> is translated in <a onclick="return mV('Jos',22,14);">Jos 22:14</a> and "chief friends" in <a onclick="return mV('Pro',16,28);">Pro 16:28</a> [GROTIUS].
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<br><br><b>her that lieth in thy bosom</b>—thy wife (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',13,6);">Deu 13:6</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_6"><b>6. son dishonoureth the father</b>—The state of unnatural lawlessness in all relations of life is here described which is to characterize the last times, before Messiah comes to punish the ungodly and save Israel (compare <a onclick="return mV('Luk',21,16);">Luk 21:16</a> <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',3,'1-3');">2Ti 3:1-3</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_7"><b>7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord</b>—as if no one else were before mine eyes. We must not only "look <i>unto</i> the Lord," but also "wait <i>for</i> Him." Having no hope from man (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,5);">Mic 7:5</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,6);">6</a>), Micah speaks in the name of Israel, who herein, taught by chastisement (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,4);">Mic 7:4</a>) to feel her sin (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,9);">Mic 7:9</a>), casts herself on the Lord as her only hope," in patient waiting (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,26);">Lam 3:26</a>). She did so under the Babylonian captivity; she shall do so again hereafter when the spirit of grace shall be poured on her (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',12,'10-13');">Zec 12:10-13</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_8"><b>8. Rejoice not</b>—at my fall.
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<br><br><b>when I fall, I shall arise</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',37,24);">Psa 37:24</a> <a onclick="return mV('Pro',24,16);">Pro 24:16</a>).
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<br><br><b>when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light</b>—Israel reasons as her divine representative, Messiah, reasoned by faith in His hour of darkness and desertion (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',50,7);">Isa 50:7</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Isa',50,8);">8</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Isa',50,10);">10</a>). Israel addresses Babylon, her triumphant foe (or Edom), as <i>a female;</i> the type of her last and worst foes (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',137,7);">Psa 137:7</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Psa',137,8);">8</a>). "Mine enemy," in <i>Hebrew,</i> is feminine.
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<p id="Mic7_9"><b>9. bear</b>—patiently.
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<br><br><b>the indignation of the Lord</b>—His punishment inflicted on me (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,39);">Lam 3:39</a>). The true penitent "accepts the punishment of his iniquity" (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',26,41);">Lev 26:41</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Lev',26,43);">43</a>); they who murmur against God, do not yet know their guilt (<a onclick="return mV('Job',40,4);">Job 40:4</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Job',40,5);">5</a>).
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<br><br><b>execute judgment for me</b>—against my foe. God's people plead guilty before God; but, in respect to their human foes, they are innocent and undeserving of their foes' injuries.
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<br><br><b>bring me forth to the light</b>—to the temporal and spiritual redemption.
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<br><br><b>I shall behold his righteousness</b>—His gracious faithfulness to His promises (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',103,17);">Psa 103:17</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_10"><b>10. shame shall cover her</b>—in seeing how utterly mistaken she was in supposing that I was utterly ruined.
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<br><br><b>Where is...thy God</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',42,3);">Psa 42:3</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Psa',42,10);">10</a>). If He be "<i>thy</i> God," as thou sayest, let Him come now and deliver thee. So as to Israel's representative, Messiah (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',27,43);">Mat 27:43</a>).
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<br><br><b>mine eyes shall behold her</b>—a just retribution in kind upon the foe who had said, "Let our <i>eye look upon</i> Zion." Zion shall behold her foe prostrate, not with the carnal joy of revenge, but with spiritual joy in God's vindicating His own righteousness (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',66,24);">Isa 66:24</a> <a onclick="return mV('Rev',16,'5-7');">Rev 16:5-7</a>).
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<br><br><b>shall she be trodden down</b>—herself, who had trodden down me.
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<p id="Mic7_11"><b>11. thy walls...be built</b>—under Cyrus, after the seventy years' captivity; and again, hereafter, when the Jews shall be restored (<a onclick="return mV('Amo',9,11);">Amo 9:11</a> <a onclick="return mV('Zec',12,6);">Zec 12:6</a>).
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<br><br><b>shall the decree be far removed</b>—namely, thy tyrannical decree or rule of Babylon shall be put away from thee, "the statutes that were not good" (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',20,25);">Eze 20:25</a>) [CALVIN]. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',102,'13-16');">Psa 102:13-16</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,4);">Isa 9:4</a>. The <i>Hebrew</i> is against MAURER'S translation, "the boundary of the city shall be <i>far extended,</i>" so as to contain the people flocking into it from all nations (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,12);">Mic 7:12</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,20);">Isa 49:20</a> 54:2).
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<p id="Mic7_12"><b>12. In that day also</b>—rather, an answer to the supposed question of Zion, When shall my walls be built? "The day (of thy walls being built) is the day when he (that is, many) shall come to thee from Assyria," etc. [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU]. The Assyrians (including the Babylonians) who spoiled thee shall come.
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<br><br><b>and <i>from</i> the fortified cities</b>—rather, to suit the parallelism, "from Assyria <i>even to Egypt.</i>" (<i>Matzor</i> may be so translated). So Assyria and Egypt are contrasted in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',19,23);">Isa 19:23</a> [MAURER]. CALVIN agrees with <i>English Version,</i> "from all fortified cities."
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<br><br><b>from the fortress even to the river</b>—"from <i>Egypt</i> even to the river" Euphrates (answering in parallelism to "Assyria") [MAURER]. Compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,15);">Isa 11:15</a>, <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Isa',11,16);">16</a> 19:23-25 27:13 <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',11,11);">Hsa 11:11</a> <a onclick="return mV('Zec',10,10);">Zec 10:10</a>.
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<p id="Mic7_13"><b>13.</b> However glorious the prospect of restoration, the Jews are not to forget the visitation on their "land" which is to intervene for the "fruit of (evil caused by) their doings" (compare <a onclick="return mV('Pro',1,31);">Pro 1:31</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',3,10);">Isa 3:10</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Isa',3,11);">11</a> <a onclick="return mV('Jer',21,14);">Jer 21:14</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_14"><b>14. Feed thy people</b>—Prayer of the prophet, in the name of his people to God, which, as God fulfils believing prayer, is prophetical of what God <i>would</i> do. When God is about to deliver His people, He stirs up their friends to pray for them.
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<br><br><b>Feed</b>—including the idea of both pastoral <i>rule</i> and care over His people (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',5,4);">Mic 5:4</a>, <i>Margin</i>), regarded as a flock (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',80,1);">Psa 80:1</a> 100:3). Our calamity must be fatal to the nation, unless Thou of Thy unmerited grace, remembering Thy covenant with "Thine heritage" (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',4,20);">Deu 4:20</a> 7:6 32:9), shalt restore us.
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<br><br><b>thy rod</b>—the shepherd's rod, wherewith He directs the flock (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',23,4);">Psa 23:4</a>). No longer the rod of punishment (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',6,9);">Mic 6:9</a>).
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<br><br><b>which dwell solitarily in the wood, in...Carmel</b>—Let Thy people who have been dwelling as it were in a solitude of woods (<i>in</i> the world, but not <i>of</i> it), scattered among various nations, dwell in Carmel, that is, where there are fruit-bearing lands and vineyards [CALVIN]. Rather, "which are about to dwell (that is, that they may dwell) separate in the wood, in...Carmel" [MAURER], which are to be no longer mingled with the heathen, but are to dwell as a distinct people in their own land. Micah has here Balaam's prophecy in view (compare <a onclick="return mV('Mic',6,5);">Mic 6:5</a>, where also Balaam is referred to). "Lo, the people shall dwell <i>alone</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('Num',23,9);">Num 23:9</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Deu',33,28);">Deu 33:28</a>). To "feed in the wood in Carmel," is to feed in the rich pastures among its woods. To "sleep in the woods," is the image of <i>most perfect security</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',34,25);">Eze 34:25</a>). So that the Jews' "security," as well as their <i>distinct nationality,</i> is here foretold. Also <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,31);">Jer 49:31</a>.
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<br><br><b>Bashan</b>—famed for its cattle (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,12);">Psa 22:12</a> <a onclick="return mV('Amo',4,1);">Amo 4:1</a>). Parallel to this passage is <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,19);">Jer 50:19</a>. Bashan and Gilead, east of Jordan, were chosen by Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, as abounding in pastures suited for their many cattle (<a onclick="return mV('Num',32,'1-42');">Num 32:1-42</a> <a onclick="return mV('Deu',3,'12-17');">Deu 3:12-17</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_15"><b>15. thy...him</b>—both referring to Israel. So in <a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,19);">Mic 7:19</a> the person is changed from the first to the third, "us...our...their." Jehovah here answers Micah's prayer in <a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,14);">Mic 7:14</a>, assuring him, that as He delivered His people from Egypt by miraculous power, so He would again "show" it in their behalf (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',16,14);">Jer 16:14</a>, <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Jer',16,15);">15</a>).
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<p id="Mic7_16"><b>16. shall see</b>—the "marvellous things" (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,15);">Mic 7:15</a> <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Isa',26,11);">Isa 26:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>confounded at all their might</b>—having so suddenly proved unavailing: that might wherewith they had thought that there is nothing which they could not effect against God's people.
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<br><br><b>lay...hand upon...mouth</b>—the gesture of silence (<a onclick="return mV('Job',21,5);">Job 21:5</a> 40:4 <a onclick="return mV('Psa',107,42);">Psa 107:42</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',52,15);">Isa 52:15</a>). They shall be struck dumb at Israel's marvellous deliverance, and no longer boast that God's people is destroyed.
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<br><br><b>ears...deaf</b>—They shall stand astounded so as not to hear what shall be said [GROTIUS]. Once they had eagerly drunk in all rumors as so many messages of victories; but then they shall be afraid of hearing them, because they continually fear new disasters, when they see the God of Israel to be so powerful [CALVIN]. They shall close their ears so as not to be compelled to hear of Israel's successes.
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<p id="Mic7_17"><b>17. lick the dust</b>—in abject prostration as suppliants (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',72,9);">Psa 72:9</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,23);">Isa 49:23</a> 65:25).
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<br><br><b>move out of their holes</b>—As reptiles from their holes, they shall come forth from their hiding-places, or fortresses (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',18,45);">Psa 18:45</a>), to give themselves up to the conquerors. More literally, "they shall tremble from," that is, tremblingly come forth from their coverts.
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<br><br><b>like worms</b>—reptiles or crawlers (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Deu',32,24);">Deu 32:24</a>).
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<br><br><b>they shall be afraid of the Lord</b>—or, they shall <i>in fear turn with haste</i> to the Lord. Thus the antithesis is brought out. They shall tremble forth <i>from</i> their holes: they shall in trepidation turn to the Lord for salvation (compare <i>Note,</i> see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Hsa/Hsa003.html#Ho3_5">Ho 3:5</a>, and <a onclick="return mV('Jer',33,9);">Jer 33:9</a>).
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<br><br><b>fear because of thee</b>—shall fear Thee, Jehovah (and so fear Israel as under Thy guardianship). There is a change here from speaking <i>of</i> God to speaking <i>to</i> God [MAURER]. Or rather, "shall fear thee, Israel" [HENDERSON].
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<p id="Mic7_18"><b>18.</b> Grateful at such unlooked-for grace being promised to Israel, Micah breaks forth into praises of Jehovah.
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<br><br><b>passeth by the transgression</b>—not conniving at it, but forgiving it; leaving it unpunished, as a traveller <i>passes by</i> what he chooses not to look into (<a onclick="return mV('Pro',19,11);">Pro 19:11</a>). Contrast <a onclick="return mV('Amo',7,8);">Amo 7:8</a>, and "<i>mark</i> iniquities," <a onclick="return mV('Psa',130,3);">Psa 130:3</a>.
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<br><br><b>the remnant</b>—who shall be permitted to survive the previous judgment: the elect remnant of grace (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,7);">Mic 4:7</a> 5:3, 7, 8).
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<br><br><b>retaineth not...anger</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',103,9);">Psa 103:9</a>).
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<br><br><b>delighteth in mercy</b>—God's forgiving is founded on His nature, which delights in loving-kindness, and is averse from wrath.
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<p id="Mic7_19"><b>19. turn again</b>—to us, from having been turned away from us.
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<br><br><b>subdue our iniquities</b>—literally, "tread under foot," as being hostile and deadly to us. Without subjugation of our bad propensities, even pardon could not give us peace. When God takes away the guilt of sin that it may not condemn us, He takes away also the power of sin that it may not rule us.
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<br><br><b>cast...into...depths of the sea</b>—never to rise again to view, buried out of sight in eternal oblivion: not merely at the shore side, where they may rise again.
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<br><br><b>our...their</b>—change of person. Micah in the first case identifying himself and his sins with his people and their sins; in the second, speaking <i>of</i> them and their sins.
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<p id="Mic7_20"><b>20. perform the truth</b>—the faithful promise.
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<br><br><b>to Jacob...Abraham</b>—Thou shalt make good to their posterity the promise made to the patriarchs. God's promises are called "mercy," because they flow slowly from grace; "truth," because they will be surely performed (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,72);">Luk 1:72</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,73);">73</a> <a onclick="return mV('1Th',5,24);">1Th 5:24</a>).
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<br><br><b>sworn unto our fathers</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,9);">Psa 105:9</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,10);">10</a>). The promise to Abraham is in <a onclick="return mV('Gen',12,2);">Gen 12:2</a>; to Isaac, in <a onclick="return mV('Gen',26,24);">Gen 26:24</a> ; to Jacob, in <a onclick="return mV('Gen',28,13);">Gen 28:13</a>. This unchangeable promise implied an engagement that the seed of the patriarchs should never perish, and should be restored to their inheritance as often as they turned wholly to God (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',30,1);">Deu 30:1</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Deu',30,2);">2</a>).
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