Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Micah Ch.1 / 7 Ch.s
MIC:1
** Micah was raised up to support Isaiah, and to confirm his
predictions, while he invited to repentance, both by threatened
judgments and promised mercies. A very remarkable passage, #Mic
5| contains a summary of prophecies concerning the Messiah.
* The wrath of God against Israel. (1-7) Also against Jerusalem
and other cities, Their precautions vain. (8-16)
#1-7 The earth is called upon, with all that are therein, to
hear the prophet. God's holy temple will not protect false
professors. Neither men of high degree, as the mountains, nor
men of low degree, as the valleys, can secure themselves or the
land from the judgments of God. If sin be found in God's people
he will not spare them; and their sins are most provoking to
him, for they are most reproaching. When we feel the smart of
sin, it behoves us to seek what is the sin we smart for. Persons
and places most exalted, are most exposed to spiritual diseases.
The vices of leaders and rulers shall be surely and sorely
punished. The punishment answers the sin. What they gave to
idols, never shall prosper, nor do them any good. What is got by
one lust, is wasted on another.
#8-16 The prophet laments that Israel's case is desperate; but
declare it not in Gath. Gratify not those that make merry with
the sins or with the sorrows of God's Israel. Roll thyself in
the dust, as mourners used to do; let every house in Jerusalem
become a house of Aphrah, "a house of dust." When God makes the
house dust it becomes us to humble ourselves to the dust under
his mighty hand. Many places should share this mourning. The
names have meanings which pointed out the miseries coming upon
them; thereby to awaken the people to a holy fear of Divine
wrath. All refuges but Christ, must be refuges of lies to those
who trust in them; other heirs will succeed to every inheritance
but that of heaven; and all glory will be turned into shame,
except that honour which cometh from God only. Sinners may now
disregard their neighbours' sufferings, yet their turn to be
punished will some come.