Prophecies
of judgment concluded by promises of full
re-establishment of glory and blessing
But again the prophet, in
the spirit of Isaiah, concludes his denunciations of sin,
and his prophecies of judgment and desolation, by
announcing the full re-establishment of blessing and
glory in Zion. The Spirit repeats (there was no room for
change) the declaration of the glory of Zion in the last
days, given in Isaiah 2. But, the prophecy being much
less developed, it connects this declaration immediately
with the events of the last days. Israel should dwell in
perfect peace, consequent on God's rebuking the strong
nations and judging among the peoples (v. 3, 4); and
Jehovah is exalted amongst them. Each nation, say they,
will boast of its God: but Jehovah is our God for ever
and ever. Jehovah is the glory of His people. In that day
Jehovah will accept the remnant of His people; He will
assemble the poor, feeble, halting Jacob, and reunite
that which He had scattered and afflicted. It should be
the remnant of His desire; that which He had cast off
should be a strong nation. Jehovah Himself would reign
over them in Zion for ever.
Double judgment on
Jerusalem; captivity and deliverance; striking event of
her last days
Nevertheless, though the
prophecy be less developed, the order of the events
through which the people had to pass is brought out only
so much the clearer by the shortness of the prophecy,
which is thus a key to the more lengthened developments
of Isaiah. The prophet announces that "the first
dominion," the kingdom of David and Solomon, shall
return to Jerusalem: and with this statement the direct
announcement of the millennial state of blessedness
closes. But, meanwhile, the royalty with which the glory
of Jerusalem was connected had to be set aside (v. 9): a
double judgment on Jerusalem connected itself with this.
The daughter of Jerusalem must go to Babylon, and there
be delivered and redeemed from the hand of her enemies,
by the power of God. She was to be their captive, far
away from Zion. That is, the captivity of Jerusalem
amidst the Gentile monarchies is announced. It was while
in this condition deliverance would be granted to her.
But another event was to characterise these last days of
her history. Many nations should be assembled against
her, seeking to profane her and to gaze insultingly upon
her (this is the attack made upon Jerusalem when Jehovah
was dealing with her in her own place); but they who came
up against her knew not the thoughts of Jehovah. He had
gathered them together as sheaves into the
threshing-floor. The daughter of Zion should trample on
them and beat them in pieces, and consecrate their spoils
unto Jehovah, who in that day will magnify His name of
the God of the whole earth (compare Isaiah 17: 12-14; and
Zech. 14: 2; 12: 2, 3; Psalm 83).
Micah 4 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
But again the prophet, in the spirit of Isaiah, concludes his denunciations of sin, and his prophecies of judgment and desolation, by announcing the full re-establishment of blessing and glory in Zion. The Spirit repeats (there was no room for change) the declaration of the glory of Zion in the last days, given in Isaiah 2. But, the prophecy being much less developed, it connects this declaration immediately with the events of the last days. Israel should dwell in perfect peace, consequent on God's rebuking the strong nations and judging among the peoples (v. 3, 4); and Jehovah is exalted amongst them. Each nation, say they, will boast of its God: but Jehovah is our God for ever and ever. Jehovah is the glory of His people. In that day Jehovah will accept the remnant of His people; He will assemble the poor, feeble, halting Jacob, and reunite that which He had scattered and afflicted. It should be the remnant of His desire; that which He had cast off should be a strong nation. Jehovah Himself would reign over them in Zion for ever.
Double judgment on Jerusalem; captivity and deliverance; striking event of her last days
Nevertheless, though the prophecy be less developed, the order of the events through which the people had to pass is brought out only so much the clearer by the shortness of the prophecy, which is thus a key to the more lengthened developments of Isaiah. The prophet announces that "the first dominion," the kingdom of David and Solomon, shall return to Jerusalem: and with this statement the direct announcement of the millennial state of blessedness closes. But, meanwhile, the royalty with which the glory of Jerusalem was connected had to be set aside (v. 9): a double judgment on Jerusalem connected itself with this. The daughter of Jerusalem must go to Babylon, and there be delivered and redeemed from the hand of her enemies, by the power of God. She was to be their captive, far away from Zion. That is, the captivity of Jerusalem amidst the Gentile monarchies is announced. It was while in this condition deliverance would be granted to her. But another event was to characterise these last days of her history. Many nations should be assembled against her, seeking to profane her and to gaze insultingly upon her (this is the attack made upon Jerusalem when Jehovah was dealing with her in her own place); but they who came up against her knew not the thoughts of Jehovah. He had gathered them together as sheaves into the threshing-floor. The daughter of Zion should trample on them and beat them in pieces, and consecrate their spoils unto Jehovah, who in that day will magnify His name of the God of the whole earth (compare Isaiah 17: 12-14; and Zech. 14: 2; 12: 2, 3; Psalm 83).