Micah 7

Micah 7:1

VVO is me] The Prophets lamentation, because godly men were decaied in the countrey: as if a thirstie and weary traveller could not find any fruit or grapes in the fields or vineyards. See Psalms 12:1.

when they have gathered the summer fruits] Heb. the gatherings of summer.

the first-ripe fruit] Rare fruits, and therefore most to b desired, Isaiah 28:4. Hosea 9:10. The meaning is, that he sought for a good man amongst the people, as for a very rare thing.

Micah 7:2

good man is perished] Or, godly, or mercifull.

they all lie in wait for bloud] He sheweth that the Prince, the Judge, and the rich man are linked together, all to do evill, and to cloake the doings one of another.

Micah 7:3

the prince asketh] Isaiah 1:23. Hosea 4:18. Mic. 3. 11.

the great man] That is, the rich man that is able to give money, abstaineth from no wickednesse nor injury.

his mischievous desire] Heb. the mischiefe of his soul.

wrap it up] These men agree among themselves, and conspire with one consent to do evill: as by the twisting togethe of divers threads and strings men do make a strong rope.

Micah 7:4

The best of them is as a brier] Hurtfull and catching; as Psalms 58:9. Ezekiel 2:6.

the day of thy watchmen] The time of thy punishment foretold by the Prophets, who are called the watchmen, Ezekiel 3:17. and Ezekiel 33:7. Hosea 9:8.

perplexitie] That is, confusion and extreme anguish, in stead of the windings and practises of your deceits. See Nahum 1:10.

Micah 7:5

Trust ye not in a friend] There is no more faith, nor loyaltie, no not even amongst the nearest friends.

a guide] So are they called in Scripture, who by reason of their degree, dutie, or authoritie, are as it were the heads and directors of others: as the husband is of the wife, the schoolemaster of his scholars, and the counseller of the Prince, Psalms 55:14. Proverbs 16:28. & Proverbs 17:9.

keep the doores of thy mouth] Discover not thy secret to thine own wife, Deuteronomy 13:6. for fear lest she betray thee.

Micah 7:6

the sonne dishonoureth the father] Matth. 10. 21, 35, 36. Luke 12:53.

Micah 7:7

Therefore I will look] Namely, I Micah, with all true beleevers, seeing all manner of hope of being relieved by men past, will turn to God by faith, expectation, and prayer.

Micah 7:8

Rejoyce not against me] Words of the Church, incouraged by Gods grace, against all the taunts of the whole multitude of her adversaries the malignant Church.

Micah 7:9

I will bear the indignation of the LORD] With humilitie and patience.

untill he plead my cause] Against mine enemies; who taking no care to execute Gods judgements for my sinnes, have wreaked all their cruelty upon me.

he will bring me forth] As it were out of the low pit of misery, in which I am.

his righteousnesse] His deliverance, the effect of royalty, and love towards me; and of his severe justice towards his and mine enemies.

Micah 7:10

Then she that is mine enemy, &c.] Or, and thou wilt see her that is mine enemy, and cover her with shame.

Where is the LORD thy God] Psalms 79:10. and Psalms 115:2. Joe 2:17.

shall she be trodden down] Heb. she shall be for a treading down.

Micah 7:11

In the day that thy wals are to be built] Amos 9. 11, &c.] An Evangelicall promise: The meaning is, when in the Messiah his time I shall reestablish my Church, which hath been as an excluded, and an abandoned possession, Amos 9:11. I will set her in perfect liberty, freeing her from the commands of all others, but mine own.

Micah 7:12

he shall come, &c.] All nations shall joyn themselves to the Christian Church. See Isaiah 19:23.

and from] Or, even to.

the fortified cities] A countrey which is most strong by nature, being bounded by the sea, and by wildernesses, and moated with great channels of water. The Prophet nameth it so by an allusion to the Hebrew name of Egypt. See Daniel 11:15; Daniel 11:24.

the river] Namely, Euphrates.

Micah 7:13

Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate] Or, After that it hath been desolate. Of Judea before the coming of Christ in the flesh.

for the fruit of their doings] For the just recompence and punishment of their sinnes.

Micah 7:14

Feed thy people] Or, Rule thy people. The Prophets words to our Saviour Jesus Christ, that he would be pleased to feed, and guide his Church, which is destitute of all humane help, and is exposed to many dangers, like sheep upon the Mountains, and in woods.

of Carmel] Carmel and Bashan were places yeelding fat pastures.

Micah 7:15

will I shew unto him marvellous things] Christs answer, promising to be favourable to his people, as he had been aforetime.

Micah 7:16

they shall lay their hand upon their mouth] They shall hold their peace for fear.

their ears shall be deaf] With the sudden bursting forth of Gods wonderfull and terrible works.

Micah 7:17

They shall lick the dust] They shall be cast down with all their pride, at Gods feet, who shall reigne in his Church. Psalms 72:9. Isaiah 49:23.

worms] Or, creeping things.

because of thee] O God; or, of thee O Church; when thou shalt be restored to thy glory and splendour by Christ, dwelling and working in thee.

Micah 7:18

that pardoneth iniquitie] Exod. 34. 6, 7.

passeth by the transgression] As though he would not see it, but wink at it.

he retaineth not his anger for ever] Psalms 103:9. Isaiah 57:16. Jeremiah 3:5.

Micah 7:19

thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the sea] Meaning, of his Elect.

Micah 7:20

the truth to Jacob] The Church is assured, that God will declare in effect the truth of his mercifull promise which he had made of old to Abraham, and to all that should apprehend the promise by faith.