Chapter 4

1 The glory, 3 peace, 8 kingdom, 11 and victory of the church.

1. In the last days. Micah 4:1–3 is practically identical with Isa. 2:2–4 (see comments there). The differences are insignificant, such as the transposition of the terms “people” and “nations” and the addition in Micah of the phrase “afar off” and of the word “strong.” Some of the word order and verbal changes in the KJV represent simply differences of translation, the Hebrew text in these instances being the same. For example, the readings “come” (Micah 4:2) and “go” (Isa. 2:3) translate the identical Hebrew word, halak. Halak means both “to come” and “to go,” and the choice of meaning depends upon the translator’s understanding of the context.

It cannot be determined whether Micah quoted Isaiah or Isaiah Micah, whether both quoted an earlier inspired source, or whether each was directly and independently inspired as he wrote this passage. The two were contemporaries (Micah 1:1; Isa. 1:1).

After the pronouncement of doom upon Zion (Micah 3:12), Micah turns abruptly to promises of restoration. This passage belongs to those OT statements that “contain great encouragement” (CT 455, 456) for the church today, as they did for the people to whom they were originally addressed.

4. Under his vine. A figure of plenty and security (see 1 Kings 4:25; Isa. 65:17–25).

Hath spoken. The glorious promise was thus confirmed. It was certain by virtue of the fact that God’s reputation was its guarantee.

5. His god. At this stage of the restoration the heathen are as yet unconverted. Later, according to the divine plan, many would be won to the worship of the God of Israel (see p. 29).

6. Halteth. Heb. salaФ, “to limp,” “to be lame.” Israel in exile is compared to a scattered flock of sheep. Verses 6, 7 picture God’s plan for the remnant of Israel. It was hoped that a religious revival would sweep the ranks of the exiles and that the Israelites at long last would accept their divine destiny. Micah is forecasting the glorious results of such a revival. Unfortunately the failure of the Jews made impossible the fulfillment of these events with respect to literal Israel. The purposes of Heaven will now be accomplished through the spiritual seed, the Christian church (Gal. 3:7, 9, 29). Converts from all nations will be gathered into the spiritual kingdom of grace, which, at the second coming of Christ, will become the kingdom of glory (see pp. 28–30).

8. Tower of the flock. Heb. migdalРФeder. The name appears in Gen. 35:21 as “tower of Edar,” an unknown site where Jacob camped in his journey from Padan-aram to Hebron. Watchtowers from which shepherds guarded their flocks were common (2 Kings 18:8; 2 Chron. 26:10). The prophet may have had in mind the figure of Jerusalem as the watchtower from which Yahweh stood guard over His people. For the Messianic import see on Jer. 4:7.

Strong hold. Heb. Фophel, literally, “a swelling,” “a knoll.” The name Фophel was applied to the northern part of the southeastern hill of Jerusalem (2 Chron. 27:3; 33:14; Neh. 3:26, 27).

The first dominion. Or, “the former dominion.” Probably an allusion primarily to the glory that was under David and Solomon. In a larger sense and in the manner in which this prediction will be fulfilled, the passage refers to the regaining of “the first dominion” that was temporarily lost as a result of Adam’s transgression (see on Micah 4:6; Ps. 8:6; see pp. 26–30).

9. Why dost thou cry? Before the enjoyment of the blessings forecast in vs. 1–8 would come the anguish of the Captivity. Before the crown there would be the cross; before smiles, tears.

No king. This was fulfilled when Jehoiachin and Zedekiah were taken captive (2 Kings 24; 25).

Counsellor. Here used synonymously with “king.” The root of the Hebrew word for king, malak, in its Akkadian form, malaµku, means “to counsel,” “to advise.”

Travail. The figure of labor pains is used in the Scriptures to describe sorrow, anguish, and surprise (Isa. 13:8; Jer. 6:24; 50:43; Hosea 13:13; 1 Thess. 5:3).

10. Be in pain. In view of the coming captivity.

Go forth. An announcement of the approaching captivity. The Jews would be compelled to leave Jerusalem, live in the open country, “in the field,” while on the way to Babylon. Isaiah, Micah’s contemporary, also predicted Babylon’s conquest of Judah (see Isa. 39:3–8).

Delivered. A partial fulfillment of this prediction took place evidently in 536 b.c. under Cyrus (see Ezra 1:1–4; Jer. 29:10) and subsequently under Artaxerxes. However, the returnees were not the spiritually revived people that the discipline of the Exile and the instruction of the prophets were designed to produce. Consequently the glorious prospect pictured in Micah 4:1–8 was not realized by those who returned to the land of Judah after the Babylonian Exile (see on v. 6).

11. Many nations. If the nation of the returned exiles had enjoyed the prosperity pictured in vs. 1–8, opposition would have been aroused. Surrounding nations would have sought to crush the thriving nation, but God would have intervened to deliver His people (see on Eze. 38:1; Joel 3:1).

12. They know not. In their blind self-deception they do not realize that they are working out, not Zion’s destruction, but their own.

Floor. That is, threshing floor, a common figure (Isa. 41:15; Jer. 51:33; Hab. 3:12; see on Joel 3:14 for the possibility of translating “valley of decision” as “valley of threshing”; cf. Rev. 14:17–20).

13. Arise. God’s people are represented under the figure of the oxen when they tread out the corn (see Deut. 25:4; cf. Isa. 41:13–16).

Thine horn iron. Probably an additional symbol of destruction. As the ox gores its victims, so Israel would destroy her foes.

Hoofs. Grain was threshed by the oxen trampling upon the sheaves on a threshing floor. At times a weighted sled was dragged behind the oxen. Metal hoofs would greatly facilitate the threshing process.

I will consecrate. The LXX and the Targums read, “You shall consecrate.” The gains of warfare were not to be used for personal aggrandizement but were to be devoted to the Lord and to be used for the advancement of His kingdom.

Ellen G. White comments

2    CT 455

8     AH 540; GC 484, 674; PK 682; PP 67; SR 430

10–12Ed 181; PK 538