The Pulpit Commentary — Micah — Section 58

HOMILIES BY V A.RIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1, 2.-.A new Mount Zion. Tho threat of eh. iii.12 has been fulfilled. Mount Zion, the glory of the nation on accouut of its situation, its buildings, its history, and its religious associations (Ps. xlviii.; cxxii., etc.), bas become as a forest, or as desolate heaps of ruins. But while the prophet gazes through the tears which patriotism and piety bring to his eyes, as in some dissolving view a new vision unfolds itself before him. Instead of a ploughed field and a ruinous mound, he sees an exceeding high mountain, a glorio11S city, and countless multitudes flocking towards it. It is the new Mount Zion. L !Ts ELEVATION. There were other hills or mountains that alrP.ady were or soon would be of note among men, such as the "high places" of a corrupt worship in Judrea and Samaria, the huge artificial hill of Babylon sacred to Belus, the acropolis of Athens, the seven hills of Rome. But this Mount Zion was founded on the summits of the world's loftiest heights, and towered above them all. 'l'hus the mountain is seen to be spiritual and the elevation figurative. It is a vision of" the latter days," of the days of Lhe Messiah, when the new kingdom of God is set up. Because it is "the mountain of the hov,se of the Lord," it is thus exalted. Illustrate from Ezekiel's vision of the "very high mountain" (tl 2), and the sublime conclusion of it," Jehovah-Shammah" (x.lviii. 35; and cf. 1 Tim. iii. 15). "This mountain of the Church of Christ transcends all laws, schools, doctrines, religions, synagogues, ann philosophies, which seemed to rise among mtn like mountain-tops" (Corn. a. Lapide, in Pusey). It is "a city set on a hill." II. lTs CONGREGATION. The prophet sees a stream of worshippers a~cending that hill; not an unfamiliar sight in the old days of the literal Zion. But much earnestness is needed to scale this lofty mountain. And it is a miracle of grace that not only the chosen people of God, but " the peoples" of the world lying in wickedness, should be attracted by a Church so lofLy and so pure. For, as the prophet watches, he sees strange companies gathering, of varied colours, costumes, and languages-negroes from Ethiopia, Chinese from the land of Sinirn, and pale-faced strangen from the western isles of Europe. Contrast the mountain-lik" tower of Babel, man's scheme of unity, issuing in dispersion, and this Mount Zion, God's way of union, attracting a congregation from all kindreds and peoples and tongues (Isa. lv. 8, 9). 'fhe prophet hears their language as they encourage one another, " Come ye," etc. '!'hey thus confess: 1. Their ignorarice. "He shall teach us of his waysr-a comprehensive term (Ps. xxv. 4, 8, 9). 2. Tl,eir diBButisfa,ction. Their old paths had been "broad;" "deHtruction and misery" on. 1v. 1-13.J TUE nooK OF MICAII. 6!)