The Pulpit Commentary — Micah — Section 59

hnd been in them. Henceforth they desire t() walk in other "paths," in God's way of holiness. 3. '1.'heir confidence; that the God of Jacob alone wa8 both able and willing to supply their need, 'l'he prophet foresaw what Christ still more clearly predicted (Matt. viii. 11, 12), and what we are seeing in these days of missionary enterprise. III. ITs EMANATIONS. As light and heat stream from the sun, and fragrance from the flowers, eo from this new Mount Zion, this city of God, there stream forth the very blessings which the nations nceil-truth, light, life. It is a. Divine power that first draws this congregation towards the Church of Christ (John vi. 44, 45). And the blessings they need aud receive are summed up in two terms. 1. "The Law." They receive it as a rule of life, as an ideal of daily conduct. It goes forth as a. stream of blessing which can tum the wastes of heathen life into a. paradise. But more than law is needed: 2. "The Word of the Lord.'' This is a more comprehensive term. It includes the revelation of his will, his mercy and grace, "the word of the truth of the gospel." This goes forth with all the attractiveness of a message of mercy (Luke xxi v. 47, etc.), but also with all the authority of a law (Acts xvii. 30; 1 John iii. 23). The preaching of the cross proves itself the power of God. This word of the Lord has free cours,, and is glorified. No wonder that such blessings follow as are described in the following verses.-E. S. P. Vers. 3, 4.-" The peaceable fruit of righteousness." The wonders of Micah's vision (vers. 1 and 2) are not yet at an end. He sees a succession of the most improbable and incredible events, as the nations retnrn from their pilgrimage to the new Mount Zion to their distant capitals and homesteads. With those distant and "strong" heathen nations there are associations of horror and dread in the minds of the Hebrews, especially of the godly among them. Illustrate this from what we know through Hebrew prophets and historians of the Gentile nations near and afar off; e.g. border wars and frequent invasions of the Philistines (2 Chron. xxi. 16, 17), Edomites, Ammonites, Moabitts, and others (Ps. lxxxiii.; and cf. the impressive messages of judgment in Amos i. and ii.). Egypt, at one time their opprebsor or invader (2 Chron. xii.), later on their untrustworthy ally, always the home of degrading idolatries (Isa.. xi.x.; xx.x.1-7). Assyria, the seat of a relentless despotism, the captors of their northern brethren, casting its war-cloud over Hezekiah's kingdom (Nah. iii.). Beyond these were the moun- taineers of Media., the barbarous tribes of the far north, "Meshech and Tuba!," and the sons of Greece in the distant west. The gloomy vision of Ezekiel (xxxii) graphically deRcribes how the sword and bloodshed are bound up with the histories of these and other nations. All these are seen welcoming a new King, who "shall reign in righteousness," new legislation and new customs. The strangest of all these new customs is that "the peoples that delight in war" are seen changing their weapons into instruments of peace, and enjoying a tranquillity equal to that of the palmy days of Solomon. The mystery is explained by the fact that the word of the Lord hau gone forth from Jerusalem. We lea.m- l. THE GOSPEL OF Goo PREPARES FOR THE REIGN OF Goo. 1. It reveals God's love. It thus comes as a revelation, startling, almost incrediule to heathens, in whose minds lust not love, hatred not mercy, are bound up with their thoughts of God. That central verse of the New 'l'estament (John iii. 16), a "miniature Bible," as Martin Luther called it, applied by the Spirit of God, has broken many a rocky heathen heart, and opened the way for the blessing., that God's love has prepared for sinful souls (1 Johu iv. 19). 2. lt inspires men's hope. Those who were once living "having no hope, and without God in the world," find.that all things are become new. All the most briaht and buoyant emotions, love, hope, joy, are called forth by the gospel of God. '.L'he brightest visions of a. golden age in the future which heathen poets have sung about are seen to be possible under the reign of a righteous and merciful God. They are "saved by hope." 3. It awakens men's consciences. An educational process ensues. The dorniant conscience is awakrned ; the blind conscience sees the light of truth ; the blunt conscience is made sensitive and teuder. Thus gradually things which were tolerated in the individual or the community are branded as unchristian, or even infamous. Illustrate from 1 Cor. v. and vi. In those whose spiritual education i~ most advanced, every thought is brought" into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 'l'hus gradually the average standard of morality is raised first in the Church anJ. thcu eo THE BOOK OF MICAH. [tfl, IV, 1-18,