in number that they should be as" the sheep of Bozrah," the wealth of which consisted in the abundance of its Aocks and herds; mdeed, BO numerous should they be, that they should make" great noise by reason of the multitude of men" (ver. 12). There are times when we get depressed and sad at heart in holy service, a.nd specially when we mark the vast,ortions of the human race as yet untouched by the sacred and saving influences o God's truth. We cry, "How long, 0 Lord, how long? Why is bis chariot so long in coming?" But, courage I it will not be ever thus. The Divine purpose is to flood the world with the light of truth, a.nd to gather a. multitude out of every nation, a.nd kindred, and tongue, and people. There sha.11 be enlargement. The Messiah "shall see of the travail of his soul, a.nd be satisfied." "Of the increase of his kingdom there shall be no end." This is sure; it is certain; it cannot fa.il. "The mouth of the Lord bath spoken it." II. SECURITY. "As the flock in the midst of their fold" (ver. 12). One of the most impressive a.nd encouraging of the figures of speech employed in Scripture to reveal to us the Di vine character is tha.t in which the Lord is referred to a.s the Shepherd folding the flock in his care. True, the figure is suggestive of much tha.t is calculated to humble us; for if he is our" Shepherd," then a.re we" the sheep of his pasture," and as such are very helpless ourselves, in the midst of the dangers by which we are surrounded, and very prone by reason of our weakness to wander from the fold; but then the beautiful simile encourages us, assuring us that the Lord will be our Strength in weakness, that he will defend us amidst every peril, and that in all our strayings he will follow us with a. view to restoring us by his power a.nd grace. Since he is " the Shepherd of Israel," his people are secure " a.s sheep in the midst of their fold." And this protection will be afforded to "his own," even a.midst the gloomiest experiences of their life. There are times when even the best of men are ea.lied upon "to walk in darkness," having "no light." And what is needed in such seasons is the spirit of holy trust, a trust which will repose unswervingly in the good Shepherd's faithfulness and love, and which will take comfort in his rod and staff, in the tokens of his presence, the conviction of his sovereign sway, and the assurances of his Word. So Micah would he.ve the tired, yet true-hearted, in his day feel ; e.nd so should such in e.ll ages realize, that in the care of God they are as secure from harm a.s " the flock in the midst of their fold," watched over by the faithful shepherd's continual care. III. DELIVERANCE. (Ver. 13.) The passage indicates that not only shall there be protection afforded in the times of peril, but also deliverance out of danger. It is in this connection that Micah here introduces into the words of hope he was uttering an e.llusion to the Messiah. He referred to him as " the Breaker," going on before his servants, overcoming and breaking through every hindrance to their advancement; they following him and through him becoming themselves triumphant. "The Breaker is come up before them," etc. (ver. 13). IV. HoNoUR. "And the Lord at the head of them" (ver. 13). Through all it was their privilege and distinction to be associated with the Lord Most High. The true Shechinah-glory was theirs. And when at length the conflict should be past, and the time of "storm and scattering" should ha.ve ended, the all-presiding Love would still be at their head, their everlasting Light, their eternal Glory. "His name shall be in their foreheads" (Rev. xxii. 4); "They shall be his people, and he will be their God." They shall dwell with him, and he abide with them; and from the constant experience of his love and favour their blessedness shall perpetually flow, and flow on for ever- more. 'l'hus this messenger of the Lord appears to have turned away his thoughts for a moment from the burden of woe be was delivering, and to have fixed bis miml upon that brighter era which should at length dawn upon the world sin had darkened and defiled. We do well also to keep that era in view, and in anticipation of it " in patience to possess our souls."
Ver. 13.-The Breaker. In these words the prophet represents the Messiah as goin~ before his people, removing every barrier, overcoming every obstruction, preparing the way for them, and bringing them through every difficulty. This representation was frequently made by the Jewish prophets, and the title, "The Breaker-through" was .:imiliar to the Jews as one of the titles of the Messiah. I. Tms TITLE HAS l'l'B APPLICATION TO THE MESBU.H IN HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THB 26 THE BOOK OF MICAH. [oH, n. 1-13,