Vers. 7-15.-1?te spiritual influence of good men symbolized. By" the remnant of Jacob" is intended the good who were to be found in the land of Judah; for in the most corrupt times God has ever had a people to show forth his praise. The expression may be taken as descriptive of good, holy, spiritual men; and it is here declared that these shall exert among the nations a gracious influence. Notice- !. THE SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE OF GOOD MEN ll' HERE BET FORTH BY MEAJIBOF IIYMBOLB, 1. This is likened to the influence of the dew and the rain (ver. 7). The symbol is b-uggestive of the preservative influence of the good. We know what a wasteful_. scorching drought means to the natural world. Hills and dales, fields and downs, are arrayed in robes of sorrow. Branches that were covered with leaves have become "withered sprays." Meadows that were clothed with grass have become converted into "short, unmowed hay." Flocks once skipping about are pining through hunger .and thirst. Earth's fruits are become "abortive," and her clods "stark and dry." Clonds of dust sweep over her plains, and from her banks the river seems to shrink. And thlll! desolate spiritually had the world been but for the influence of good men. Between the time of " the early and latter rains" vegetable life in Palestine was entirely dependent upon the dew. It wa.s this which kept vegetation from becoming dry and withered, and preserved the land from drought and desolation. And even so the influence of good men in the world is preservative. Bad as the world is to-de.y -morally and spiritually, it is not so bad as it would have been save for the influence ~xerted. by tho8e who are under the motive force of pure and holy principles. This preservative influence of the good is silent, quiet, noiseleBB in its operation. How ~entle is the dew, and how copious when all is calm and tranquil I And how gently the rain falls from heaven in the refreshing shower, penetrating deeply into the thirsty land l There is suggested quiet power, yet very effectual withal. So is it with the influence ,of the good. In the olden time here referred to, when princes and nobles, priests and prophets, had corrupted their way, a remnant was to be found among the people, unknown ones for the most part, but who nenrtheless by their holy virtues and heavenly graces kept piety alive, and whose influence upon society was as that of the dew upon the parched, needy ground. So shall it ever be that our God shall not be left without faithful witnesses to honour and glorify his great Name. 2. The other £ymbol employed here is that of the lion (vers. 8, 9). This suggests the thought of courage, boldness, fearlessness, together with destructive strength and might. " The remnant of Jacob" are ever such as dare to do right, who resolutely follow their con- victions, who possess a strong sense of justice and rectitude, and who act upon this .at all ri.t!ks and costs. They "trust iu God and do the right," They are unyielding where true principle is at stake. "The wicked tleeth," etc. (Prov. uviu. 1). AnCl OD, V, l-15.] THE BOOK OF MICAH. 71
ultimately the victory is with such. The unprincipled shall be subdued and go down before them, as surely as sheep yield before the beasts of the forest. II. Tn1s MORAL AND SPmlTUAL INFLUENCE OF GOOD MEN THUS SET J'OBTB I& DIVINELY DERIVED, It cometh "from the Lord," (ver. 7). He alone can impart to us the quiet, refreshing, reinvigorating power typified by the dew and the showers; and he alone can make us valiant in the maintenance and defence of truth and righteous- ness. We need hence to be found constantly looking unto him, that, divinely strengthened and sustained, it may be manifest that we belong to " the remnant" through whom it is his purpose to fertilize and bless the world. Ill. IN OBDEB TO THIS BENEFICENT INFLUENCE BEING EXERTED THEBE IIUBT Bll: PURITY OF HEART AND SEPARATION FROM EVIL. (Vers. 10-14.) God's ancient people were placed in the most favourable circumstances for being the medium of good to other nations and tribes; but, forgetful of their "high calling," they yielded to the contaminating influences of the world around, and even exceeded the heathen nations in the practice of sin, and hence their honour was laid in the dust, and they were threatened with national decay. And for the comfort of "the remnant" the assurance- was given that there should ho brought about the purification of the Church (vers_ 10-14). True spiritual influence is ever the outcome of true spiritual excellence. Would we be influential for good, ·we must "follow after holiness." We must be watchful over our lips that we offend not with our tongues. All self-seeking, strifes,. jealousies, must be put away from us. "Let every one that nameth," etc. (2 Tim. ii. 19). Then" God will bless us," and through us others (Ps. lxvii.). IV. THIS SPIBITUAL INFLUENCE SHALL ULTIMATELY PREVAIL. (Ver. 15.) Whilst evil sometimes appears victorious, the cause of truth and righteousness shall finally triumph. This chapter, which begins with declaring the coming of " the Babe of Bethlehem," ends with a solemn declaration of the final discomfiture of all who oppose the sway of this "Ruler in Israel" (ver. 15). Array not yourselves "against the Lord and his Anointed." His foes shall become his footstool. "Kiss the Son" (Ps. ii. 12).