Micah 4

Micah 4:1

LAst dayes] When Christ shall come, and the Temple shall be destroyed. By this phrase the Prophets do often mean the whole time between Christs coming in the flesh, and his other coming in glory; as Isaiah 2:2.

mountains] That is, the Church (figured by Gods Temple, which stood upon mount Moriah) shall be exalted in spirituall glory, above all worldly States and kingdomes, meant by mountains and little hils. See Psal. 68. 15, 16.

Micah 4:2

teach us of his wayes] He sheweth that there is no true Church, but where the people are taught by Gods pure word.

Micah 4:3

afarre off] By his corrections and threatnings he will bring the people into subjection, which are in the utmost corners of the world, Psalms 2:8.

plowshares] Joe 3:10.

pruning-hooks] Or, sithes. They shall abstain from all evill doing, and exercise themselves in godlinesse and in well doing to others.

Micah 4:4

sit every man under his vine] A figurative description of the Churches spirituall peace and securitie under Christs kingdome, Jeremiah 30:10. Zac 3:10. See on Isaiah 2:4.

for the mouth of the LORD of hosts] This shall certainly come to passe, seeing God hath solemnly promised it.

Micah 4:5

all people will walk every one in the name of his god] It is an usuall, and almost a naturall thing for men to hold the same religion as their forefathers did: but under the Messias it shall be an especiall gift of Gods grace in all true beleevers, that being inlightned in the true faith, and knowledge of the true God, they shall never depart from it.

we will walk in the name of the LORD our God] We will live and persevere in the faith, invocation, and service of God, which shall be revealed unto us, as it were in his own name. See Luke 10:12.

Micah 4:6

In that day] Namely, in the Messias his time, I will gather into the sheepfold of my Church my poore dispersed, afflicted, and weak beleevers.

will I assemble her that halteth] Ezek. 34 16.

Micah 4:7

And I will make her that halted] Zeph. 3. 19. My promises, word, and grace, shall be preserved in the reliques of those poore dispersed Israelite, who shall be as it were the seed of my Church, and the hope of reestablishment, which I will accomplish in it due time, with great encrease.

shall reigne over them in mount Zion] Daniel 7:14. Luke 1:33.

Micah 4:8

O towre of the flock] It is the same place which is spoken of Gen 35:22. which was neer to Jerusalem, and was afterward called the sheepgate, Nehemiah 3:1. and by it is understood the whole citie: a figure of the Church, into which Gods sheep are gathered up in safetie.

the strong hold] It seems to be the place called Ophel: that is to say, strong hold: which was under the Temple, neer to the aforesaid sheep-gate, 2 Chronicles 27:3. Nehemiah 3:26. to signifie the inviolable securitie of the faithfull, gathered together into the Church.

first dominion] The kingdome of David, which seemed to be quite overthrown, shall be raised up again in thee, by the spirituall and everlasting kingdome of Christ.

Micah 4:9

why dost thou crie] O Church be comforted: thy King and kingdome is not quite perished, though it seeme to be so, by the Babylonish captivitie: for Christ, thy true everlasting King, shall appear in his time, and shall reestablish his kingdome in thee.

Micah 4:10

Be in pain] Indeed for the present thou hast reason to be perplexed, but take comfort in my promises.

in the field] Wandring, and dispersed out of thy countrey.

Micah 4:11

be defiled] Polluted with bloud and slaughter: See Numbers 35:33. Psalms 106:38. Sacked without any respect to her ancient holinesse, and all her ornaments taken away from her.

our eye look] Obadiah 1:12.

Micah 4:12

his counsel] Namely, to cleanse and chastife his Church by their means: and afterwards to bruise and thresh the enemies out like corn in a floore. See Isaiah 10:7. & Isaiah 21:10. Jeremiah 51:33.

Micah 4:13

Arise and thresh] Consume and destroy thine enemies. He attributes to the Church that which Christ her head doth for her, and sometime also by her means. See Isa. 41. 15, 16.

thine horniron] Hereby it should seem are meant the hoofs of beasts, wherewith they used in former times to thresh corn, Deuteronomy 25:4.

I will consecrate their gain] He alludeth to the interdicts, whereby certain nations were accursed, and all the people condemned to be rooted out, and their goods absolutely to be consecrated to God, Leviticus 27:28. Joshua 6:17. 19.