''fravels '). So that when the prophet speaks or making "a wailing like the jackal,, and mourning liko the ostriches," he intimates that he would give way to the intensity of grief and distress, in view of the prevailing iniquity a.nd its prospective punishment. II. Tnm OAUSES, This grief a.rises from: 1. Regard for the honour of that holy and perfect Being ng,Linst whom all sin is directed. 2. Esteem for his pure and holy Law, of which Lnw all sin is a violation. 3. Love of righteousness. 4. De~p compassion for those who are thus led captive by evil. III. THE LIMITATIONS. The manifestation of this grief should be restrained when Its expression would furnish occasion to the enemies of God to blaspheme (ver. 10). Quoting the expression from David's elegy, "Tell it not in Gllth," Micah bids the good, "weeping to weep not.," the idea being that prudence should mark them even in their sorrow over sin; that a restraint should be placed by them even upon their mourning over the prevailing evil, rather than by their demonstrations of sorrow they should cause the adversaries of God and of his people to blaspheme and triumph. We should be prepared to endure much, instead of, by giving way, presenting an advantage to the foes of God, and furnishing them with the opportunity of pouring contempt upon his Nnme. Vera. 11-16.-Sorrow follriwing in the train of evi1. I. THIS TRUTH IS SET FORTH IN THESE VERSES IN POETICAL LANGUAGE. 'fhe prophet does not mention the land of Judah, but he singles out a number of places in the country, and addresses them by name, employing phraseology calculated to produce a strong impression concerning the grief and sadness that should overspread the nation. We may fittingly compare with this a similar passage in the book of Micah's contemporary, Isaiah (x. 28-32). In both passages these distinguished seers described, in terms of pathetic sadness, tbe sorrows which should come upon the land in consequence of the nation's guilt. The trials thus predicted did not, however, come in all their intensity so speedily, for the nation, under the influence of Hezekiah, bowed itself low in penitence, and pro- ceeded to reform the prevailing evils. The Assyrian army was, in consequence, divinely checked in its onward march; the destroying angel accomplished his work of terrible destruction in the camp of the Assyrians, and a respite was granted to Judah (Isa. xxxvii. 36), !I. THIS TRUTH, THUS ILLUSTRATED, ADMITS OF THE WIDEST APPLICAT10:)I. Sorrow ever follows in the course of evil. A life of obedience to God's revealed will is the only way in which happiness, real and lasting, may be secnred. The rabbins say that " when Adam had tasted the forbidden fruit, his head ached." The bigh<'st authority has declared that "the way of transgressors is hard," and that "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he :i.lso reap" (Ga.I. vi. 7). An old writer has compared :i. life of worldliness to one on the stream, and following the river's course. He p:isses through very lovely scenery. There are the sweet meadows, green wood~, the fertile pastures, magnificent bui!Jings, strong forts, famous cities, but a.t last he comes to the salt sea. So the stream of worldliness may yield you many a passing delight, but the end to which it conducts is truly desolate (Thomas Adams). Have we not served sin long enough? All time is too long that is given to that service. It is enongh. The time past shall suffice ns in which to have wrought the will of the evil one. We cast ourselves at thy feet, 0 Lord; deliver us from the power and dominion, the shame and sorrow, of sin ; and help us to Ii ve the manly and godly life I
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver, 2.-Tlie Lord God a witness against sinners. God never leaves himself without witness nmong men. He bears witness perpetually to them-by the gifts of his han,l (Acts xiv. 17), by the still small voico ,yithin, and by the voice of his messengers. God has borne an,\ still bears witness to us on behalf of Christ. This may be illustrated from John v. 31-39, wl:ere our Lord speaks of three ways in which the Father testifie<l on his behnlf. 1. By the mission of John the Baptist, representing preachers nnd tenchors. 2. By his works (to us, mimcles nf grace, converts to Christ). 3. By the writ-t...n Worn. We have to add God's witness: 4. By the resurrection of Christ (Acts 12 THE BOOK OF MICAH. ten. I. 1-1G.
xvii. 31). 5. By the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts v. 32). In all theee ways God is bearing witnells/or m. So even in his chastisements (1 Cor. xi, 32). But if we heed not these testimonies/or us, we must be prepared 11t any time to hear the voice of God's providence calling for jndgments (vers. 3, 4), and thus witnessing against us. When such_ judgments fall, God will be able to testify: (1) That we have had abundant pnnleges. Illustrate from 1 Sam. xii. 6-15. (2) 'l'hat we have had fair warning and ha,e neglected it, as did Same.ria (2 Kings xvii.), and Judah (2 Chron. xxxvi.11-21), and the later Jews (Acts xiii. 46). (3) That his jndgments are so righteous that God can summon all people to observe and justify them ( cf. Deut. xxix. 24-28). "It is a bitter case when our provoked Lord is provoked to go out of doors to the streets with his beloved's faults." They 1_>ro<:eed_ from the very temple of his holiness (cf. Re,. xv. 3-6, v.·here the songs of vmd1catton and the angels of vengeance are coupled togethc_r). God nev~r hesi~tcs to give :easons for his judgments (Prov. i. 24-27; J er. xx1x. 23; Mai. 11. 14; 111. 5). Such Judgments as fall now are but predictions and earnests of the great judgment awaiting t,he ungodly. God, who will then be a witness against ns, warns us now of some of the ways in which he will then testify. He will bring as witnrsses: (1) The Law (John v. 45). (2) The gospel (John xii. 47). (3) Our outward privileges. Illustrate from Josh. xxiv. 26, 27. So there may be cited against us-the pulpit from which we heard the Word, nnd the preacher who in it" testified repentance towards God," etc. (Acts xx. 21). (4) The less privileged of our brethren (cf. Luke x:i. 31, 32). (5) Our misused talents (Jas. v. 1-4).. (6) Our words (Matt. xii. 37). (7) Our consciences (John viii. 9; Rom. ii. 15). If true now, how much more then! Lest God should be a witness against us then, we must, by repentance, faith, and obedience, secure his testimony now, like Enoch (Heh. xi. 5; cf. Ps. cxJrii. 11). Then we shall have the testimony of onr brethren (Rom. xvi. 6-13; 3 John 3-6) and of our own consciences (2 Cor. i. 12), and shall be able to anticipate without fear the final verdict of God (Rom. viii. 33, 34).-E. S. P.