persons who knew that he pardons ae well ae punishes. It is this strong conviction of the intimate connection between sin and punishment, repentance and forgiveness, which occasions those startling transitions that meet us, as we have said, so continually; where, with the simple con- junction "and," and with no further logical dependence, the prophet con- trasts wickedness with its results, punishment with blessing, mercy with comfort. There is wonderful energy in the various forms of his addresses. The lo.at two chapters "take the form of a magnificent colloquy, and are indeed 15he first prophetic piece of a purely dramatic plan and execution" (Farrar). Elsewhere at one time he commands, at another he entreats; now he uses dialogue, now denunciation ; he addresses the whole people under a female designation, then he expostulates with individuals; here he speaks concerning a place, there directly to it ; one while he speaks in his own person, and again in that of his nation; he describes a calamity as past in one passage, as future in another. As regards his language, it is measured and rhythmical, the cadences are varied, the grouping is harmonious. A remarkable analysis of these divisions and cadences, both in Micah and other prophets, may be seen in Dr. Pusey's 'Commentary,' pp. 273, 293. The verbal plays and allasions in the description of the -0alamities that are to overtake Judah (eh. i.) are unequalled in vigour and abundance, and must have fallen with peculiar force upon hearers familiar with the places mentioned, and comprehending with awed intelligence the meaning of the denunciation. One obvious fact characterizing the book (which it is well to mention in -view of neologian theories) is that it exhibits an accurate acquaintance with the Pentateuch, that the author had those writings before him when he put his prophecy into its present shape. The many allusions to the history, the actual expressions sometimes used, prove this beyond question. The Exposition will show it abundantly. Further, other books of the canon were known to Micah besides those of Moses. He refers to Joshua's division of the promised land ( eh. ii. 4; vi. 5), to David's lament over Saul ca,nd Jonathan (eh. i. 10), to his predecessor's challenge (eh. i. 2; I Kings xxii. 28). He introduces words taken from the Psalms (e.g. eh. ii. I; iii. 2, etc.; vii. 2, 7, etc.) and the Proverbs (e.g. eh. vi. 9, 11). He adopts images and language from Amos (eh. ii. 3, 6, 11; iii. 6). It must be added that the text of Micah is in an unsatisfactory state, having suffered much from corruptions. Mauy attempts have been made to improve it by reference to the ancient versions; but little success has attended these efforts, as the versions themselves seem to have been founded upon imperfect copies, and the conjectures of critics have not afforded much material help. § V. LITERATURE. Of the earlier commentators on Micah it is sufficient to mention Ephraem Syrua And Theophylact. Later commentators are these: Bibliander, 'Comm. in Micbam' -(1534); Luther; Gil by, 'Comm. upon Micha' (1551); Chytrams, 'E1rplica.tio Mich~' -.m INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF MIOAH,
"(1565); Brentius, 'Comm. in Michream' (1580); Pocock,' Works,' vol. i. (1740); Just~ 'Micha neu iibersetzt' (1799, 1820); Hartmann, • Micha neu tibers.;' Caspari, • Uhel' Micha den Morasth.' (1852); Thomas, Gen~ve (1853); Dr. Cheyne, in• Oambridge Dible for Schools and Colleges' (1885); 'l'. Sharpe, 'Micah, a New Translation' (1876); Kleinert, translated in Lange's ' Commentary on Old Testament;' Orelli, in ' Kurzgef, Komm.' (1888); Rygsel, 'Untersuchungen,' etc. (1887); J. Taylor, 'The Massoretic Text,' etc. (1890).
§ VI. ARRANGEMENT OF THE Boox. IN SECTIONB.
Part I. (Ch. i., ii.) Threatenings and judgments on Israel and Judah, with pre- diction of eventual deliverance. § 1. (Ch. i. 2-4.) Introduction to the prophet's address. The nations are bidden to attend. § 2. (Ch. i. 5-7.) Judgment denounced on Israel for its sine. § 3. (Cb. i. 8, 9.) Micah mourns because the punishment reaches to Judah. § 4. (Cb. i. 10-15.) That kingdom's fate exemplified by the fate of certain ol her cities. § 5. (Cb. i. 16.) Zion is called to mourn for her captivity. § 6. (Cb. ii. 1-5.) Threat justified by the sins of oppression of which the princes- were guilty. § 7. (Ch. ii. 6-11.) Threat further vindicated, with a glance at the false prophets who taught the people to love lies. § 8. (Ch. ii. 12, 13.) Promise of deliverance and restoration. Part II. (Ch. iii.-v.) Denunciation of the crimes of the grandees, followed by a promise of the glorification of Zion, the birth of Messiah, and the highest exaltation of the people. § 1. (Ch. iii. 1-4.) Sins of the rulers, and their punishment, § 2. (Ch. iii. 5-8.) Sins of the false prophets. § 3. (Ch. iii. 9-12.) Recapitulation of the sins of the three classes-grandees, priests, and prophets; consequent destruction of Zion and the temple. § 4. (Cb. iv. 1-5.) Tbe glory of the temple-mountain, and realization of hap- piness. § 5. (Ch. iv. 6, 7.) All Israel included in this restoration. § 6. (Ch. iv. 8-10.) Revival of the kingdom of David, after calamity and cap- tivity. § 7. (Ch. iv. 11-13.) Zion overcomes all enemies in God's strength. § 8. (Ch. v. 1-4.) After Zion's degradation, Messiah shall be born and bring tho world into subjection. § 9. (Ch. v. 5, 6.) Under his rule shall be peace. § 10. (Ch. v. 7-9.) He shall give his people as conquerors and saviours to the nations. § lL (Ch. v.10-15.) He shall destroy the instruments of war, and put down idolatry everywhere. Part ill (Ch. vi., vii.) Punishment is the consequence of sin; repentance I& the only ground of hope of participating in the covenant mercies. § 1. (Ch. vi. 1-5.) God's controversy with hill people for their ingratitude. § 2. (Ch. vi. 6--8.) The people ask how to please God, and are referred to the moral requirements of the Law. § 3. (Ch. vi. 9-12.) God sternly rebukes prevailing sine. § 4. (Ch. vi. 13-16.) He threatens punishment. . § 5. (Ch. vii. 1-6.) Israel's penitential acknowledgmentofthe general corruptio11. § 6. (Ch. vii. 7-13.) Confession of faith in God; assurance of the fulfilment of the promi.Bed restoration. S 7. (Ch. vii. 14-17.) The people pray for this restoration, and the Lord aseurea them that his mercies shalJ not fail, and hostile nations shall be humbled. I 8. (Ch. vii. 18-20.) Praise of God's mercy and faithfulness. THE BOOK OF MICAH. EXPOSITION.