The Pulpit Commentary — Micah — Section 54

de.y succeeds night, a higher morality becomes developed. 4. Peace should be estab- Ushed. (\' r.r. 3.) The Messiah i8 "the Prince of Peace" (Isa. ix. 6). "Glory to God in the highest," etc. (Luke ii. 14), was the ~ong of angels as they welcomed his advent, Strange, then, tbe.t men should ascribe to his religion the prevalence in the world of war and conflict. His religion has often been made the pretext for entering into dendly strife; buL underlying this there has been some ambitious design which has been the real though concealed cause. The growing disposition amongst the nations to seek peaceful solutions of existing difficulties, and not to draw the sword until these have been exhausted, is an effect of the inflnence of the principles of Christ upon society a.t large. The universal dissemination c,f his truth shall be followed by the complete fulfilment of this glowing prediction (ver. 3), 6. Secut·ity should be realized. (Ver. 4.) In the Assyrian monuments representations are given of men in a. reclining posture, witli the vines in rich profusion over their heads, suggestive of quiet and rest and freedom from everything calculated to disturb and alarm. And this is the idea. expressed here. Fear bad ta.ken possession of the hearts of those whom the prophet was addressing. They thought with sadness and dismay of the awaiting judgments to follow national sin. The enemy had come well-nigh to the gates; but lo I the seer cheers them by the prospect of happier days which should at length dawn upon them. As it had been with the nation in the peaceful days of Solomon, so he declared it should be in a spiritual sense under the rule of the Messiah. "Such is that most quiet fearlessness which the law of Christ bringeth as being the law of charity, peace, and concord." 6. Restoration should be effected. (Vers. 6, 7.) Into the enjoyment of these high blessings even they should be brought who had erred from God's ways, who had "halted" in his service, and had divided their allegiance between him and Baa.I. '!'hey must, in consequence of their sin, be "driven out" and "afflicted" and "cast off;" yet in their exile he would watch over them, seeking them in his deep compassion, "devising means that his banished be not expelled from him" (2 Sam. :xiv. 14), and in his own time and way these should be brought in with "the fnlnese of the Gentiles," to form "a strong nation" over whom he would reign for ever and ever (vers. 6, 7). III. TBE CERTAINTY OF THE REALIZATION OF ALL THUS EXPRESSED. The seer throughout uses the language of holy confidence. And he was wa.rra.nted_.in this; for: 1. Such i.s the Divine purpose. The issue is divinely guaranteed. God has promised the kingdom to his Son. 2. This Divine purpose ha.~ been repeatedly ea;pressed. "For the mouth of the Lord bath spoken it" (ver. 4). 3. That which God has purposed and d«lared, his power can and will fulfil. Despite the humble circumstances and con- ditions through which the chosen of Heaven would have to pass, "the kingdom should come to the daughter of Jerusalem"-" the first or former dominion;" i.e. the rich spiritual honour which had been JJromise<l to David's line should be bestowed (ver. 8), for such was the Divine will and which the Divine power would assuredly accomplish. Our hope for a. bright future rests upon the same foundation. And as God requires us to put him in remembrance of his Word, we will say, "b'or Zion's sake," etc. (lsa.. lxii. I); and will cry in the wor<lB or our own Milton, "Come forth out of thy royal chamber, O Prince of all the kings of the earth I Put on the visible robes of thy imperial majesty; take up that unlimited sceptre which thy Almighty Father bath bequeathed thee; for now the voice of thy bride ea.lie thee, and all creatures sigh to be renewed." Ver. 2.-Enthusiasm in religion. I. TIIE SPIRIT OF ENTHUSIASM IN RELATION TO RELIGION IB EMI:-ENTLY DESlllADLE. Jt is 60: 1. As indicating the possession of loving devotion to God. 2. .As prompting to endeavour with a view to the spiritual well-being of otlu:rs. (Ver. 2, "Come, and let us go up," etc.; John i. 41, 42, 45, 46; iv. 28, 29.) 3 . .As being contagiw,s. For, all aglow themsel vee, they will be the means of inspiring others witb the same fervour. II. Tms SPIRIT, UNLESS UNDER WISE CONTROL, MAY PROVE INJUlllOUB. H mo.y Reem a very simple matter to invite others to God, to say to them, "Cowe, let us go up," etc.; but it is possible, by undue familiarity of approach, or by extravagance of langi:age, to alienate tLose it is desired to win. Ill. 'l'Rli! BPllUT 18 IN 6Al'E KEEPJNG nr ITS POSBl!SSOU CCL'l'IVA'l'ES TlIE DI61'06l- OH, IV, 1--13,] THE BOOK OF MICAH. 65