It must have been a sad day with the Church, and indeed the history of those times proves it was, when it was as with the priest, so with the people. A state of general corruption prevailed. Isaiah the contemporary of Micah, hath described it. Isaiah 24:1-12 . read more
I. Hebrew and Septuagint, "He, the Lord, said;" or, Micheas addressed the princes of both kingdoms, under Ezechias, ver. 12., and Jeremias xxvi. 18. --- To know and practice, Osee vi. 3. (Calmet) --- Both rich and poor strove to extort from each other. (Worthington) read more
Skins. When some exhorted Tiberius to lay on more taxes, he replied: "a good shepherd must shear the flock, and not tear off the skin." (Suetorius xxxii.) read more
1-8 Men cannot expect to do ill, and fare well; but to find that done to them which they did to others. How seldom do wholesome truths reach the ears of those in high stations or in authority! Those who deceive others are preparing confusion for their own faces. The prophet had ardent love to God and to the souls of men; deep concern for his glory and their salvation, and zeal against sin. The difficulties he met with did not drive him from his work. He had this strength; not from and of... read more
The Sins of the Rulers and the Desolation of Zion. Also in this Chapter the discourse is directed to the nobility of the people, who abused the authority of their high official station by oppressing the poor and abandoning the way of justice. v. 1. And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, the leading men of the nation, and ye princes of the house of Israel, in whose hands was the administration of justice:. Is it not for you to know judgment? to give heed to that which is right and... read more
See Micah 2:1 ff for the passage comments with footnotes.Micah 3:0Here also the discourse applies directly (Micah 3:1-4) to the nobility, and particularly here to those in high official station, as called guardians of the administration of justice. Hear, now, ye heads of Jacob, and ye judges (קָצִין=Arab. Kâdi) of the house of Israel, Is it not for you (2 Chronicles 13:5), for you above all, to know the right. To know = to regard, give heed to (Isaiah 42:25).Micah 3:2. Ye that hate good, and... read more
the Punishment of Avarice Micah 3:1-12 The princes who as magistrates should have administered justice to others sat around the caldron, casting in the very flesh and skin of the people whom they were set to rule. Their perversion of justice would lead to their inability to distinguish between evil and good. Sin not only sears the conscience but darkens the understanding, Ephesians 4:18 . Their punishment would be like their guilt. As they had refused the cry of the oppressed, so would God... read more
Addressing himself directly to the rulers of the people, in this second message the prophet describes their peculiar sin, and announces the coming judgment. He then foretells the coming of the one true Ruler, and the consequent deliverance. In dealing with the sins of the rulers, he first addresses the heads or princes, charging them with being corrupt. As to character, they hate the good, and as to conduct they spoil the people. Turning to the prophets, he declares that their sin is that... read more
Micah’s Indictment of Judah (Micah 3:1-8 ). Micah inveighs first against the leadership of Judah, and then against the prophets who make people err for the sake of money, and the priests who teach for hire. We can compare Isaiah’s similar indictment in e.g. Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 3:1-4. Micah 3:1 ‘And I said, “Hear, I pray you, you heads of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel: is it not for you to know justice?” ’ ‘And I said.’ A loose opening phrase simply declaring ‘and this is another... read more
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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Micah 3:1
CONTENTS This Chapter is much in the strain of the general tenor of the Prophets, full of reproof mingled with gracious promises. Through the whole of the Chapter we find much of the love of God, even in the midst of threatened judgment. read more