HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 2.-A new David: the lowliness and majesty of the Mes1n:ah. Thoughts respecting the lowliness of the Messiah cluster around tbe reference to bis birthplace. Bethlehem was so small and unimportant that it was "little to be among the thousands of Israel." It was like one of our hamlets, not even attaining to the dignity of a parish. From this village there went forth a youth unknown to fame, and almost unnoticed among bis own kindred (1 Sam. xvi. 11; Pa. lxxviii. 70, 71). Even after the establishment of David on the throne, his birthplace was allowed to remain in its former insignificance; or, if honoured for a time, sank into obscurity again (as Micah testifies), just as the royal family of David itself sank into such a low estate that it could be compared to the stump of a tree cut down and giving little promise of a. renewed vigorous vitality (Isa. xi. 1). This lowly condition of both the home and the house of David corresponds to the debased condition of the Jewish Church at the time of the advent. It was" despised,"" hated," "afflicted" (Isa. lx.14, 15). In that hamlet Jesus, the Christ, was born. Now note the contrasts that have followed. 1. Beth- lehem has become one of the most notable places in the world-a theme for poets, a subject for artists, a goal for pilgrims. Its names have received a new and higher significance. Bethlehem bas become a " house of bread" for a dying world ; Ephratah has been " fruitful" in the richest blessings for the human race. 2. The family of David is now, through Jesus Christ, the most exalted family of the earth. Con- trast the Ptolemies, Ciesars, and other royal names. 3. The Jewish Church sprang. to a new life. It has taken a place of supreme influence among the nations, not simply through Ohrist himself, but through the works and writings of his apostles and. evangelists. Great as these blessings are already, we shall see greater things than these. " The kingdom " shall be restored, " yea, the former dominion shall come" (eh. iv. 8). For ages tlhere had been "no king" (eh. iv. 9), o.t the best only a temporary "judge" (ver. 1). Israel still held as its ideal -king David the gr«Jt. Its :ideal should be more than realized. A new David shall come forth "unto me," and in. 78 THE BOOK OF MICAH. [OH, V, 1-lo.
God's Name and strength shall rule (ver. 4). Victory is promised under figures suggested by exi8ting foes (vers. 5-9). In those spiritual triumphs of Jesus Christ we shall see the fulfilment of the predictions of his everlasting dominion, And in these victories of grace bis nation will take a share, and will be still further glorious in the eyes of God and man (Isa. lx., lxvi., etc.). The prediction of a Ruler so mighty, yet of sqch lowly origin, prepares for the description of a still gr~ater glory, And the fa.et of the power and !nfluence in the world of the Babe of Bethlehem prepares us to receive, nay, more, r~q mres us to believe in, hui Divine dignity. The "coming forth" from Bethlehem oan -only be explained by previous " goings forth." These wordR declare: (1.) The pre- existence of the Messiah (John viii. 58). -(2) His previous manifestations and opera- tions-in creation (John i 3), providence (Col. i. 17; Heb. i. 3), and as the Divine Angel of Jehornh (Gen. xviii., etc.). (3) Eternal existence. Because thou art" from everlasting," therefore "thou art God" (Ps. xc. 2; John L 1). Nothing but the truth of the Deity of Christ can ex:plain the predictions of him or unlock the mysteries of his character and his life. The more lowly his origin and all the facts of his earthly life t~e _more inexplicable his present majesty, unless we acknowledge him as personally Dmne..-E. S. P.