Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible · Micah Kapitel 7

Micah 7:1. For I am as when they have gathered— For I am like to those who are about to gather the summer fruits, and to him who is about to pluck the vintage: there are no grapes which I can eat, nor first-fruits which my soul desireth. Houbigant; who supposes, that the prophet here introduces our Saviour speaking; and certainly the discourse of the prophet, and the conduct of our Lord, Mar 11:13 have a great conformity to each other.

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Micah 7:3. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly— Their hands are prepared for evil, not for good: the prince asketh, and the judge demandeth for him. He who is great openly avows the wickedness of his soul, and they detest him. Houbigant.

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Micah 7:4. The most upright is sharper than a thorn-hedge— Rauwolff tells us, that about Tripoli there are abundance of vineyards and fine gardens, inclosed for the most part with hedges; between which gardens, run several roads and pleasant shady walks. The hedges, he says, chiefly consist of the rhamnus, paliurus, and other thorny plants. The prophet alludes to these. See the Observations, p. 217.

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Micah 7:7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord— The same divine Person, says Houbigant, goes on to speak, who said in the Gospel, A man's enemies are those of his own household; and who clearly foretels here both his passion and resurrection.

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Micah 7:9. Because I have sinned against him— Because I am about to be his victim, or sacrifice for sin. Nothing is more common in the sacred Scripture, than to denote the expiation of sin by the word חטא cheit. See Houbigant.

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Micah 7:11. In the day, &c.— In the day that thy walls shall be rebuilt, that day shall remove from thee the decree or judgment; that is to say, thine established laws; the laws of thy kingdom and temple. That threats, not promises, are contained in this passage, will appear probable to the reader who attends to what follows; particularly the words, The land shall be desolate. The Jews then lost their rites, and the laws of their kingdom, when they had but just repaired their walls under the reign of Herod, who rebuilt and enlarged the temple, and fortified the city. See Houbigant.

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Micah 7:12. In that day, &c.— That day shall bring thine enemies, as from Assyria, so also from Egypt; as from Egypt, so also from the river, &c. The Roman forces came against the Jews, both from Egypt, and from the countries of the East, which were formerly subject to the Assyrians. Houbigant.

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Micah 7:13. Notwithstanding, the land shall be desolate— And the land shall be laid waste, with its inhabitants; this shall be the fruit of their doings. Houbigant.

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Micah 7:14. Feed thy people— These are the words of the prophet to the same divine Person who had said that he should arise after he had fallen, Mic 7:8 considering whom as a shepherd, he prays him to feed his flock in fertile pastures; for this is meant by Bashan, Gilead, and Carmel. The prophet, therefore, prays for those sheep of whom Christ himself hath said, My sheep hear my voice. The Messiah answers the prophet in the 15th verse, where, instead of Thy coming out, we should read, His coming out.

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Micah 7:16. The nations shall see— The prophet speaks here, to the end of the chapter; foretelling the miracles of the rising church, and the pardon of sins to be given by the Lord Jesus Christ. See Houbigant.

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