Micah 7:14-17

THE PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE, Micah 7:14-17.

In Micah 7:14 occurs another change in speakers. The people, through the prophet, pray for the fulfillment of the promise of restoration.

Feed… with thy rod See on Micah 5:4.

Flock of thine heritage Since Micah uses several times the figure of the shepherd (Genesis 49:24), this expression is used instead of the more common “people of thine heritage.”

Which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel The English translations are correct in connecting the entire relative clause with “thine heritage.” This relative clause is to be understood not as expressing the desire that the faithful remnant may be permitted to dwell apart from the nations of the world, but as describing a present condition “which now dwell solitarily.”

In the wood R.V., “forest.” The original has no preposition; it seems better to omit it in the translation, and to take the words in apposition to the preceding “which dwell solitarily,” “a forest (better, jungle) in the midst of Carmel.” The meaning becomes still clearer if “Carmel” is taken as a common noun “garden land” (compare Isaiah 37:24; where it is translated “fruitful field”). Then the whole clause will read, “which dwell solitarily, a jungle in the midst of a garden,” which describes the condition of the petitioner. The enemies are flourishing like a beautiful garden; in the midst of them lives the miserable petitioner like a wild jungle in a garden, without beauty or comeliness. O that the shepherd would lead his flock into green pastures!

Bashan… Gilead Districts east of the Jordan which were renowned for their rich pastures (see on Amos 1:3; Amos 4:1; compare Numbers 32:1 ff.); here they are mentioned as types of rich pasture land.

Days of old A very indefinite expression referring to the period of prosperity preceding the present distress (see on Micah 5:2, where the words are translated “everlasting”).

The present text would make Micah 7:15 the reply of Jehovah to the petition expressed in Micah 7:14. But (1) the change in pronouns, “thy coming forth” and “unto him,” is peculiar; (2) 17b places it beyond doubt that Micah 7:16-17 continue the petition to Jehovah. This makes it at least probable that Micah 7:15 is a part of the petition, and we may be justified in altering one consonant so that the verb will read, “do thou show unto us.”

Thy coming out R.V., “thy coming forth out.” The coming forth of Jehovah to lead the people from Egypt at the time of the Exodus (compare Judges 5:4).

Marvelous things The same term is applied in Exodus 3:20, to the plagues which Jehovah brought upon Egypt to compel the release of his people. Similar superhuman manifestations they desire in their present crisis.

Micah 7:16-17 continue the petition, pointing out the effects which the “marvelous things” of Jehovah will have upon the nations. When the latter see the mighty works of Jehovah they will be confounded.

At all their might Their might will count for nothing in the presence of an almighty God (compare Hosea 4:19). Lay their hand upon their mouth See on Micah 3:7 (compare Judges 18:19; Job 21:5).

Their ears shall be deaf “From the thunder of his mighty acts.” (Job 26:14; compare Isaiah 33:3). In terror they will prostrate themselves before Jehovah.

Lick the dust A figurative expression equivalent to “prostrate themselves in the dust,” a sign of submission (Isaiah 49:23).

Like a serpent Compare Genesis 3:14.

They shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth R.V., “like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places.” A picture of abject fear (compare Psalms 18:45). The terror of the nations is emphasized also in the rest of Micah 7:17.