The Pulpit Commentary — Micah — Section 79

places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palace, senate, Coram ; we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods" (' Apology,' c. 38). In a similar way the Church of the Reformation was terrible to the corruptions of the papacy, whic6 it sought to "tear in pieces" with weapons not carnal, but spiritual. And to-day the true Church of Christ, with its lofty standards and idea.ls, is hateful to the world with its maxims of expediency and fraud, its sins and shams; and to me.ny also who would claim the se.cred name of Christian. Such foes of Christ and his people must submit (Isa. Ix. 14) or perish (Isa. Ix. 12). The Church of God will at last be terrible in the day of the destruction of those who love darkness rather than light, and who will be driven away in their wickedness. "The saints shall judge the world" (1 Cor. vi. 3; Jude 14, 15; Rev. xix. 11-15); "Let thine hand be lifted up," etc. (ver. 9).-E. S. P. Ver. 2.-The promise of Messiah. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me the.t is to be Ruler in Israel ; whose goings forth have been from of old, from ever- lasting." This is one of the most definite of the Messianic prophecies. In the previous verse Micah foretells a. period of deep degradation. The people of God would troop together before the invader, as sheep huddle together before a snowstorm. All resistance would prove vain. The judge would be smitten on the cheek, i.e. righteous rule and self-rule would perish. But when things were at their worst a new Ruler would a.rise, He would come, not from the city of Jerusalem, but from the village of Bethlehem, so small a. plaoe that it was never reckoned amongst " the thousands " (the chief divisions of the tribe) of Judah. Yet he who came from that obscure birth- place would be "he whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." This prophecy was universally regarded as applicable to the Messiah. It was quoted by the scribes in their reply to Herod (Matt. ii. 6); and at a later period, when it was popularly supposed that Jesus was of Nazareth, it was used as an argument ngainst those who believed him to be the Christ (John vii. 42, etc.). I. WHENCE. CAME THE PROMISED KING? 1. In his origin he is Divine. " His goings forth," etc. The prophet and the New Testament concur in asserting the pre-existence and Divinity or our Lord. Jehovah, speaking through the prophet, says, "he she.11 come forth unto me,'' i.e. as a son is born to his father; and the disciple11 heard a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son," etc. Micah says, "His goings forth have been from of old;" and in harmony with this John declares, "In the beginniDg was the Word," etc. Divinity was a. necessity to the Redeemer-King. He could not save humanity if he was simply part of it. He could not suEer as the spotless Lamb of God if it was true of him as or us, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity," etc. In order to assume a true humanity he was "born of a woman; " but the active cause of his earthly being was not in me.n, but in God. Hence Gabriel said, " That holy thing the.t shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of the Highest." "The Word was made flesh," etc. Signs of his Divine origin may be seen in the e.ccompaniments oi his birth-the angels' song; the effect of the emperor's edict in bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem; the star seen in the east; the Scripture evidence (Matt. ii 6) unwittingly adduced by the scribes; the general expectation which presaged the advent, as the fragre.nce of the spice islands foretells to the sailor that they are near. The Babe of Bethlehem was the Son or God. 2. In his birth he was .\uman. In spite of itl'I association with David and with Ruth, Bethlehem never became great. From the first God chose "things despised." To a people like the Jews, to whom names were never without significance, these in the text would be suggestive. Bethlehem, the "House of bread," was the birthplace of him who spoke of himself as "the Bread of life" (John vi.). Epliratah, the old e.nd still the poetic name of the village, signifying "the Fruit-field," was conneoted with him who was the Seed-corn of the world's life (John xii. 24). Had he been born in Jerusalem, an earthly policy might have sought to use him; but being born in Bethlehem, only loye.l hearts welcomed him ; so that foe cradle, like the cross, tested men. Further, had Jerusalem been his birthplace, it might have been considered the world-centre of his kingdom, which we know is "not of this world." II. WHAT IB THE NA.TUBE OF HIS RULE? 1. He reigns by lawful right. If he is "from everlasting," we should approach him with reverence. Insistence on Christ'11  BO THE BOOK OF MIC.A.H. [oR. V, 1· -lo.