CHAP. V. V. 1. The complete victory of
therefore Matthew here quotes the passage according to the meaning, not verbally; "And city had reduced to be sadamong the thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah." This flourishing cities of that numerous tribe, and its many thousands under their princes: yet the birth of Christ would so dignify it, that it would by no means be the least honorable of them: ( Note , Matt . 2:3-6.) for he would come forth thence, to be Ruler in Israel, upon the throne of David for evermore. ( Marg . Ref .
Ref.e -k. may be read interrogatively, " interrogatively, "Art thou little among the thousands of Judah?" The words, "unto me," may either refer to the Lord; and then they mean, that the birth of Christ was intended for the glory of the Father: or to the church, as represented ted by the prophet; and then they signify, that the Son of God became incarnate for the salvation of his people.
"His ld, from ever- lasting." This denotes his eternal co-existence with the Father as the only begotten Son; and his eternal appointment in the counsel and de- crees of God to his mediatory work, and to his incarnation as connected with it.
Zion over all her enemies having been pre-goings forth had been from of old, dicted, in the close of the preceding chapter; (Note, 4:11-13.) they are here challenged to collect their forces for the assault. Either Nineveh or Babylon seems to be meant by "the daughter of troops;" as their prosperity arose from success in war, and they were re- nowned for valiant soldiers.
The king of As- syria besieged Samaria, and he or his captains insulted Hosea, the judge or king of Israel, with all indignities; as the victorious king of Babylon also did Zedekiah, when he had be- sieged and taken Jerusalem. ( Notes , 2 Kings 17:4. 25:6,7.) Some have thought, that the outrageous conduct of Sennacherib and Rab- shakeh to Hezekiah was meant; but Senna- cherib did not lay siege to Jerusalem, nor was Hezekiah ever in his power.
Many however suppose, that Rome was intended by "the daughter of troops;" and that the Romans were called upon to collect their armies to be- siege Jerusalem, because the Jews had thus insulted and despised Christ, the Judge of Is- rael. ( Marg . Ref . Notes, Deut . 28:49-57. Lam. 3:26-30, v. 30. Matt. 26:63-68, υυ. 67, 68. Luke 19:41-44.)
V. 2. The house of David would be reduced very low, yet the city of David would certainly be honored by the nativity of the Messiah. "Ephratah" distinguishes Bethelem in Judab, from another place of the same name, in a different part of the land; ( Josh . 19:15,16.) and
Whose goings, &c.] 'The words do naturally import an original, distinct from the birth of Christ mentioned in the foregoing sentence 'which is here declared to have been from 'eternity: for so the word mikkedem , translated here from of old , but rendered from everlasting ( Hab . 1:12.) and mime olam , "from the days of 'eternity," do plainly signify.' Lowth . Indeed if we suppose that Micah purposed to state in as energetic language as possible, the pre-existence from eternity of him, who in the ful ness of time would be born at Bethlehem; we cannot easily find out words, in which he could have more forcibly expressed his meaning. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . 1.- Notes , Ps . 102:2528. Prov . 8:22-30. John 1:1-3,18. 8:54-59, υυ . 58,59. Heb . 1:10-12. 13:7,8. Rev. 1:8.)
V. 3, 4. Nevertheless , (as the word rendered "therefore" may be translated,) the Jews for their sins would be given up to be harassed by the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syrians, and Romans, until the time when the virgin, who was to travail with child, should bring forth this great Deliverer. ( Marg . Ref.m -o.- Notes , Is . 7:14. Matt . 1:20-23.) Then the chosen remnant of the Jews wou be restored to the
as a dew
5 And this man shall be the peace, be in the midst of many people, when the Assyrian shall come into our from the Lord, as the showers upon the land; and when he shall tread in our pala-grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth ces, then shall we raise against him sev- for the sons of men.
en shepherds, and eight principal men. 8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be
6 And they shall t waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.
7 And & the remnant of Jacob shall
y Ps. 72:7. Is. 9.6,7. Zech. 9: 10. Luke 2:14. John 14:27. 16:33. Eph. 2.15-17. Col. 1:20,21.
z Is. 7:14. 8:7-10. 37:31-36. 65:8,9. Jer. 33:15-26.
a Is. 44:28. 59:19. Zech. 1:18- 21. 9:13-16. 10:3-6.12:6- 9. Rev. 17:14. 19:14,15.
b Job 5:19. Prov. 6:16. 30:18, 29. Ec. 11:2. Am. 1:3,6,&c. * Heb. princes of men.
c Is. 14:2. 33:1. Nah. 2:11
13. 3:1-3.
among the Gentiles, in the midst of many people, * as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of
sheep; who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, 1 and none can deliver.
9 Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
↑ Heb. eat up. d Gen. 10:9-11. marg. $ Or, with her own naked h Deut. 32:2. Judg. 6:36-40. swords.
e Is. 14:25. Luke 1:71.
f 2 Kings 15:29. 17:3-5. 18:9 -15. 19:32-35. 2 Chr. 33:11. Is. 10:5-12.
g 3,8. Ez. 14:22. Joel 2:32. Am. 5:15. Zeph. 3:13. Rom. 11:5,6.
privileges of true Israelites; or the chosen remnant of the Gentiles would be converted, and united as brethren with the believers of Israel to be "one fold under one Shepherd:" and he, uniting tenderness and power, would govern, guard, and provide for his church of harmless, defenceless, and persecuted disciples, "in the Majesty of the name of the LORD his God:" exercising the perfections, performing the works, and displaying the glories of God, through his human nature. Under his rule,
Ps. 72 5. Is. 32:13-17. 44:3 5. 66:19. Ez. 47:1-12. Hos. 6:3. 14:5. Zech. 14:8. Matt. 28:19. Acts 9:15. 11:15-18. 13:46-48. Rom. 11:12-15, 15:19,20, 1 Cor. 3:6.
i Is. 55:10,11. Jer. 14:22. Acts 16:9,10. Rom. 9:30. 10:20.
k 4:13. Ps. 2:8-12. 110:5,6. Is.
41:15,16. Ob. 18,19. Zech. 9: 15. 10:5. 12:3-6. Matt. 10 14,15. Acts 18:6. 2 Cor. 2:14 -17.
Or, goats.
1 Ps. 50:22. Heb. 2:3. 12:25. m Ps. 21:8,9. 106:26. Is. 1:25 11:14. 14:2-4. 26.11. 33:10. 37:36. Luke 19:27. 1 Cor. 15: 25. Rev. 19:13-21. 20:8,9.
times, in subverting Paganism; to the termination of Pagan persecution, by the conversion of the Roman emperors; and to the future promulgation of the gospel, and the ruin of all Antichristian, Pagan, and Mohammedan powers, by the numerous and able instruments, whom the Lord will raise up for these purposes. 'Mr. Mede... expounds the place of the general destruction of some remarkable ene'my, or enemies, to God and his truth, which 'should come to pass before the consummation
the church would abide in safety, and be pre- 'of all things.... ( Ps . 110:5,6. Is . 26:20,21. 34:1,
served "as lambs in the midst of wolves;" and at length he would be renowned, obeyed, and trusted, even to the ends of the earth. ( Marg . Ref . p-x.-Notes, 4:6,7. 7:14-17. Ps . 22:27, 28. 23:1-3. Is . 40:9-11. Jer . 23:5,6. Ez . 34:23 -31. Dan . 2:34,35,44,45. Zech . 9:9,10. Matt . 25:31-33. John 10:14-18, v . 16,26-31. Rev. 11:15-18.)-'God will not fully vindicate and 'exalt his people, till the virgin-mother shall 'have brought forth her Son; and till Judah 'and Israel, and all the true sons of Abraham 'among their brethren the Gentiles, be con'verted to Christianity. ... "He shall stand," the 'ruler mentioned in the second verse. Bp . Newcombe.
"&c. 66:16. Jer . 30:7-10. Ez . 38: 39: Joel 3:9-14. Ob . 15, &c. Zeph. 3:8. Hag , 2:22. Zech 12:2. 14:3. Rev. 19:19. 20:9.) ... Mr. Mede in 'geniously conjectures, that this name was 'given him by these two prophets' (Isaiah and Micah,) 'because that ever since the invasion of Sennacherib, the very name of Assyrian 'carried terror along with it, being esteemed by the Jews as their most formidable enemy.' Lowth .
V. 7-9. The remnant of Israel, that was converted to Christ in the primitive times, namely, the apostles, evangelists, and first teachers and professors of the gospel, were scattered among "many people" or nations, as the drops of dew, or the showers of rain on the earth, which cause the grass to grow in those places, where no human culture is employed, and without waiting for the help of man. Thus they went into the cities and villages of the Gentiles, not as sent for by them, or commissioned by human authority, or depending on the power or wisdom of man; but as immediately employed, qualified, and prospered by God: and by their doctrine, prayers, and examples, they were the instruments of rendering those barren deserts fruitful, in a large in crease of spiritual worshippers, and holy ser vants of God our Savior. - No doubt the con verted Jews will in future times exhibit a stilt
V. 5, 6. This promised Savior would be "Peace," and would ensure to Judah peace or deliverance, during the ravages of the Assyrians and other enemies. But, as Sennacherib's invasion was not repelled by the ruler or chieftains of Israel; ( Note , 2 Kings 19:35.) nor did the Jews ever invade or waste the Assyrian dominions, or those of the Chaldeans who afterwards occupied the same regions; it seems evident, that these expressions must be understood, as mystically intending other enemies and persecutors of the church, who should be of the same spirit with Sennacherib and the Assyrians. Whatever heathen, infidel, or antichristian opposers should at any time harass or attempt to desolate the church, as Sennache-more striking completion of this part of the
rib did Judah and Jerusalem; the great Shepherd of the flock would furnish a competent 2. Judg . 6:36-40. Ps . 72:4-7.110:3. Is . 32:15
number of able rulers and teachers, to defeat their designs, and at length to retaliate upon them, and to destroy those who had attempted to destroy them. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref. Notes, Gen. 10:8-12. Ps . 72:4-7. Is . 9:6,7. 14: 1,2.33:1,2. Am . 1:3-5. Zech . 1:18-21.9:8-10, 13-16.) This may refer to the powerful effects of the preached gospel, in the primitive
prophecy. ( Marg . Ref.g -i.- Notes , Deut . 32: -20.55:10-13. Ez . 47:1-12. Hos . 6:1-3. 14: 4-8. Joel 2:28-32. Zech . 14:6-9. Mark 16:14 -16,19,20. Acts 9:15,16. 11:18. Rom . 11:11— 15. 15:14-21.)-But to those who neglected and opposed this salvation, these same persons would be terrible and destructive as lions among the beasts of the forest, or even among the flocks of helpless sheep. For their doc 10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:
off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.
14 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy
11 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all their strong-cities. holds:
12 And I will P cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers:
13 Thy graven images also will I cut
ת Ps. 20:7,8. 33:16,17. Jer. 3: 23. Hos. 1:7. 14:3. Zech. 9: 10.
o Is. 51:12-17. Zech . 4:6.
Ez. 38:11.
p Is. 2:6-8,18,20, 8:19,20. 27: 9. Zech. 13:2-4. Rev. 19:20. q Is. 17:7,8. Ez. 6:9. 36:25. 37: 23. Hos. 2:16,17. 14:3,8.
trine would condemn them: and the Lord, concurring by his providence, would cut off all their enemies. The destruction of the enemies of the Jews, after their future restoration to their own land, seems to be here predicted. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . k-m.- Notes , 5,6. 4:11 -13. Ps . 2:7-12. 21:8-12. 110:5,6. 149:7-9. Ob . 17-21, υυ . 18,19. Zech. 9:13-16. 12:2-8. 14 : 12-15 . 2 Cor . 2:14-17. Rev. 19:11-21.) The former verse described the benefits the 'converted Jews should bring to those Gentiles, 'who were disposed to embrace the gospel: 'this' (8) 'instructs us how terrible adversaries 'they will prove to such as persist in their en'mity to them, and to the truth.' Lowth .
V. 10-15. In those happy times, God promised to wean the people from all confidence in chariots, horses, cities, and strongholds, even as though they had been entirely destroyed; and to purge out all sorcery, witchcraft, and idolatry, and the relics of those abominations from among them: and, having done this, he would destroy their enemies , (so the word translated cities , may be rendered, marg.) and "execute vengeance in anger and in fury, on the nations which have not hearkened unto me." Bp . Newcombe . ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . Notes , 7-9. Is . 2:6-21. 27:7-11.
Hos . 1:6,7. 14:1-8, vv. 3,8. Zech . 4:4-7. 9:9,10. 13:2,3.) The reformation of the Jews after their return from Babylon might be alluded to: but the purification of the Christian church from all antichristian corruptions of faith and worship, and all idolatry and superstition, seems more immediately to be predicted. The reliance on human merits for justification; the external pomp used in worship; and the oppressive exercise of human authority in mere
15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.