Miquéias 4
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Miquéias 4
Spurgeon - God’s cause and kingdom shall not be hidden away in a corner: “the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains,” an Alp upon other Alps, higher than all the other hills. The day is coming when the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be the most conspicuous thing in the whole world, “and people shall flow unto it.” The heathen (Webster = an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible), the people who knew nothing about it, shall flow to it like a great river. One might well ask, "How can the heathen nations stream to the place of consummate holiness on earth?" David's psalm helps us understand who these heathen are… Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:3-5) Only those declared righteous (justified) by grace through faith can draw near to the Holy One of Israel! Stream (05102)(nahar) means to flow literally. Figuratively as used here in Micah 4:1, nahar describes the movement of something like the flow of a river. This metaphor congers up a picture of a great host of Gentiles coming from the nations and forming a mighty river of people being sweep upwards to the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Septuagint translates nahar with the verb speudo (see word study spoude derived from speudo) which means to make haste, to hurry, even with eagerness, earnestness or zeal. Like a mighty rushing river is this throng of Messiah worshippers! Oh my, what an beautiful sight upon which to meditate. Nahar - 3v (in NAS) - Isa 2:2; Jer 51:44; Mic 4:1 Allen - From another point of view the poem may be regarded as a photographic enlargement of a familiar scene. Year by year bands of pilgrims would make their way to Jerusalem to engage in festive worship, in the course of which they would receive instruction in the moral traditions of the covenant. This Israelite pilgrimage is here magnified to universal dimensions. Not merely Israel, but their pagan neighbors from all around would one day wend their way to Yahweh’s earthly residence, and there learn lessons which they would put into practice back in their own communities. It is interesting that Ezekiel 47 describes literal water "was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east." (Ezek 47:1-12, cf Ps 46:4). So as the peoples stream upward to Messiah's abode in His Holy Temple, the water will flow downward from the Holy Temple. Note that here in Micah 4 those who stream to the mountain of God are the peoples, the nations (the Gentiles primarily referenced, but clearly believing Jews will ascend to the hill of the LORD), but in Hosea we see a picture that primarily refers to the believing Jewish remnant… Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God (the Messiah) and David their king (Referring to David who will be resurrected at the end of this age [cf Daniel's future fate in Da 12:13] and reign in the Millennial Kingdom); and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days. (Hos 3:5) Micah 4:2 Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. and say Isaiah 2:3; Jeremiah 31:6; 50:4,5; Zechariah 8:20-23 and he Deuteronomy 6:1; Psalms 25:8,9,12; Isaiah 54:13; Matthew 11:25-30; John 6:45; 7:17; Acts 10:32,33; 13:42; James 1:19-25 for Ps 110:2; Isaiah 42:1-4; 51:4,5; Hosea 6:3; Zechariah 14:8,9; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16,20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8; 13:46,47; Romans 10:12-18; 15:19 Many nations will come and say (Mic 7:12) - Many nations is not the Jews but Gentiles, those who are "separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." (Eph 2:12-note) To my knowledge this prophecy has not been fulfilled. Gentiles coming into the Church (which was at its outset essentially all Jewish) does not fulfill this prophecy. Davis - It seems to me that there is a clear ‘not yet’ element in the fulfilment (especially when Mic 4:3–4 are kept in view). We haven’t yet seen anything like this or Zechariah 8:20–23 (see below) in final, definitive form. Nations (01471)(goy; Lxx = ethne) is used over 500x in the OT and means people or nation. In the plural the word is "goyim" and generally refers to non-Jews, i.e., Gentiles (Goy). The prophet Zechariah foresees a similar procession of peoples and nations seeking the Lord in the end times… Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 ‘The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will also go.” 22 ‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.’ 23 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’ (Zech 8:20-23-see comments by Steven
Miquéias 4
Spurgeon - That is the way the grace of God works in us; he teaches, and then we not only learn, but we obey. The kingdom of Christ, the Son of David, shall attract people and nations that were far off from the holy city where he lived and died. For (term of explanation) from Zion will go forth the law (Torah), even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem (Zion ~ Jerusalem, Mic 3:10, 12, 4:8) - This explains how Messiah will teach about His ways - trips to Israel are popular today for tourists, but these pilgrims will come for teaching with Torah, not for trinkets. Martin - Micah’s readers were chafing under the Word of God, not wanting to be told by Him or by His prophet that they were wrong. By contrast eventually the whole world will submit willingly to God’s Word and His decisions John
Miquéias 4
Spurgeon - They shall give up the study of the art of war. Their spirit shall be softened, in many cases renewed by grace and then they shall take to the useful arts; they shall not throw away their swords, but shall beat them into ploughshares, they shall not hurl their spears into the earth, but shall bend them into scythes or pruning-hooks. Oh, that the day were come when the wealth and ingenuity and power of nations were used in the pursuits of peace instead of in the arts of war! This is the tendency of the kingdom of Christ, for wherever he comes, he makes peace. Nothing is more opposed to the spirit of Christianity than war; and when men are Christians, not in name only, but in deed and in truth, wars must cease. Micah 4:4 Each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. But The connection of this prophecy with the close of the preceding chapter shews that the establishment of the Christian Church, in consequence of the abrogation of the Mosaic dispensation, and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, was intended. But, though it has in a measure been fulfilling ever since these events, yet its grand accomplishment must still be future. they 1 Kings 4:25; Isaiah 26:16; Zechariah 3:10 none Isaiah 54:14; Jeremiah 23:5,6; Ezekiel 34:25,28; 38:11; 39:26 for Isaiah 1:20; 40:5; 58:14 UNIVERSAL PEACE BRINGS INDIVIDUAL PEACE Each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree - Note that the parallel description in Isa 2:1-4 does not display the picture seen in Micah 4:3. Each in context (Micah 4:3) refers not so much to believing Jews but to the peoples and nations (Gentiles). While this may be true literally, it certainly describes a time of peace, prosperity and security, something mankind has long sought after in an earthly "Utopia." This deep longing will finally be fulfilled in the Millennial Reign of Christ when "Judah and Israel (will live) in safety, every man under his vine and under his fig tree." (1Ki 4:25, cf. 2Ki 18:31; Isa 36:16; Hos. 2:12; Joel 1:12; 2:22; 3:10; Zech. 3:10). Walton - Egyptian tomb paintings, Assyrian reliefs and the biblical writers commonly use the phrase [sitting under one’s vine and fig tree] to refer to a people who control their own lives, without foreign interference, and are able to cultivate the land which the gods/God has given to them (1Ki 4:25; Is 36:16). The vine and fig provided some shade as well as fruit, and enjoying them indicated some long-term prospects as each took several years to become productive. (The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament)
Miquéias 4
Spurgeon - The best evidence that this will be the case is that the Lord of hosts, Who has all power at His disposal, has said that it shall be so. Holman Christian Study Bible summarizes Micah 4:1-4 - This oracle (also in Isa 2:1-4) refers to the Last Days when God's Kingdom will be established. The Temple Mount, representing God's dwelling on earth, though previously destroyed (Mic 3:12), would be established at the top of the mountains and God would exalt Himself among the nations (Ps 46:10). Many peoples will be drawn to Him saying, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord ." They will want to learn His ways, and they will be changed by the truth of His instruction (Hebrew = torah). God Himself will bring peace between peoples and nations, causing bloodshed to end (Micah 3:10) and instruments of death to be remade into implements promoting life. Nations will never again train for war. Peace and security are certain because the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has promised this. (See Study Bible Notes in Right Column - select "Read", enter Micah 4) Micah 4:5 Though all the peoples walk each in the name of his god, as for us, we will walk In the name of the LORD our God forever and ever. all 2 Kings 17:29,34; Jeremiah 2:10,11 and we Genesis 17:1; Psalms 71:16; Isaiah 2:5; Zechariah 10:12; Colossians 2:6; 3:17 the name Exodus 3:14,15; Psalms 48:14; 145:1,2 ONLY TWO WAYS TO WALK Though all the peoples (Gentiles) walk each in the name of his god - Micah mentions the first of two ways of walking or conducting one's life, which in a sense is really a summary of all mankind. All men are either in Adam or in Christ (cf 1Cor 15:22). All men either have God as their Father or the Devil as their father (cf Jn 8:44). All men are either godly (or believers in Christ, safe forever with God) or ungodly (unbelievers, lost forever away from God - cf 2Th 1:5-8, 9). Psalm 1-note summarizes these two diametrically opposed ways of walking ending with these fateful words… For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked (ungodly) will perish. (Psalm 1:6-note) NET note says "The term "name" here has the idea of "authority." To "walk in the name" of a god is to recognize the god's authority as binding over one's life." When this will occur is difficult to state (see Martin below), because theoretically everyone, Jew and Gentile, who initially enters Messiah's Millennial Kingdom will be regenerate (Titus 3:5-note). Though in the NASB is the Hebrew word ki which other versions translate as "for" (e.g., Mic 4:5ESV). John Martin explains that "The nations (peoples) who were following their gods refer to pagan nations in Micah’s day. They could not be the nations in the future Millennium because Micah had just written (Mic 4:2,3) that they will go to Jerusalem to learn of the Lord." Henry
Miquéias 4
Spurgeon - All the enemies of Israel came together, hoping to destroy her, they saw that God had left her for a while in their hands, so they maliciously sought her destruction. (Micah 4 - Spurgeon Exposition) Henry
Miquéias 4
Spurgeon - They had their own thoughts, and they thought that the Lord meant what they meant, — the entire destruction of the chosen race. (Micah 4 - Spurgeon Exposition) Alternatively, perhaps these nations rely on theologians who do not interpret the Scriptures literally and scoff at predictive prophecy and instead teach that God is finished with Israel (e.g., Replacement Theology which sadly is a disturbing trend among many otherwise orthodox evangelicals), so that they see these prophecies in Micah as applying to the church, not to the nation of Israel. For example, here is a note from R C Sproul's (whom this writer greatly respects as a wonderful theologian) Reformation Study Bible (Ligonier Ministries) on the mountain of the house of the LORD (Micah 4:1) Earthly Mount Zion prefigured the heavenly reality to which the church indeed has now come. Is that really what Micah was prefiguring? Or did earthly Mount Zion describe a literal earthly Mount Zion, which would be a reality in the Millennium, a glorious time when, yes, praise God, the Church would be privileged to participate! Why spiritualize the meaning of a passage that can be read literally and thereby retain its original intended meaning? Sproul also says the "strong nation" in Micah 4:7 is "a prophecy that finds final fulfillment in the church." Is that really what the text is saying if one reads it in its plain, literal, "natural" sense, not looking for any hidden meaning? Can lame… outcasts be applied to believers in the church? Absolutely. But in context (which is crucial for accurate interpretation), Micah is speaking to a literal nation, one he has just condemned to destruction (Micah 3:12), and is seeking to give them a glimmer of hope! He is not literally speaking to the Church. To interpret Micah's prophecy as addressed to the church or to be fulfilled in the church is to totally miss the thrust of his prophecy to Israel. We must be vigilant to hear and heed Paul's exhortation… Be diligent (spoudazo in the aorist imperative = a command calling for immediate attention and unhesitating obedience) to present (paristemi) yourself approved (dokimos) to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (orthotomeo) the word of truth. (2Timothy 2:15-see comments) Similarly Matthew Henry repeatedly ascribes Micah's prophecies to the church. As an aside Henry (and many of the otherwise wonderful, godly reformers), while so often excellent devotionally, seldom interpret OT prophecies as if the message was addressed to the literal nation of Israel and instead (generally, but not always) ascribe the prophecies to the Church, in effect "replacing" the nation of Israel. As an aside, one of the best (more literal interpretations of the OT prophecies) pre-1900 commentaries is the Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown (See Guidelines for Interpreting Prophetic Passages) Jehovah reminds us My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. (Isa 55:8) Paul echoes this truth declaring… Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? (Ro 11:33-34-note) Vance Havner spoke to not knowing the thoughts of the LORD… The little boy who didn't understand why God put so many vitamins in spinach and didn't put more of them in ice cream had a pretty good idea that it just doesn't work out like you'd think! The situation with so many in our day is: Lots of knowledge, but little understanding Lots of means, but little meaning Lots of know-how, but little know-why Lots of sight, but little insight. (Robert Short, Leadership, Vol 6, no 3) Criswell - The nations rejoice over the Exile of the Jews because they do not understand God's purpose in it. The attitude is characteristic of the unbelieving world, judging immediate circumstances, unaware of the providences of God which guide all things to foreordained consummation. For He has gathered them (against Israel) like sheaves to the threshing floor (cf. Isa 21:10; Jer 51:33; Hos 13:3) - The picture of the Gentile nations is likened to the harvesting of grain and the threshing process. This is an interesting metaphor for those of us who were raised with the spiritual "Bringing In The Sheaves!" Here Israel's enemies, the Gentile nations (like powerless, cut sheaves) are in the hands of omnipotent Harvester, Jehovah (cf Pr 21:1-note). He gathers them against Israel in the exercise of His sovereign will and not of their own volition. The NET Bible paraphrases this "He (Jehovah) has gathered them (nations of the world) like stalks of grain to be threshed at the threshing floor," explaining that "The words "to be threshed" are not in the Hebrew text, but have been supplied in the translation to make it clear that the LORD is planning to enable "Daughter Zion" to "thresh" her enemies." Micah 4:13 Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, For your horn I will make iron And your hoofs I will make bronze, That you may pulverize many peoples, That you may devote to the LORD their unjust gain And their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. and thresh Isaiah 41:15,16; Jeremiah 51:33 hoofs Deuteronomy 33:25; Isaiah 5:28 thou shalt Micah 5:8-15; Daniel 2:44; Zechariah 9:13-15; Revelation 2:26,27 I will consecrate Joshua 6:19; 2 Samuel 8:10,11; Psalms 68:29; 72:10; Isaiah 18:7; 23:18; 60:6-9; Romans 15:25-28; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 21:24-26 the Lord of Zechariah 4:14; 6:5 Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion (people of Jerusalem - see Mic 4:8), For your horn I will make iron and your hoofs I will make bronze, That you may pulverize many peoples - The context is Micah 4:11, the gathering of many nations against Israel. In this passage Micah assures Israel that they will trample their enemies, like oxen treading grain (cf Zech 14:12-15). See description of Threshing of Grain in Ancient Times - Manner and Customs of Bible Lands - Chapter 19: Growing and Harvesting Grain (Or see James Freeman's text - search page for the word "thresh" for 38 hits)