Micah 4

The Mountain of the LORD

1 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.

2 Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

4 Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.

5 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORDour God for ever and ever.

The LORD’s Plan

6 “In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief.

7 I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.

8 As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold^[a] of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”

9 Why do you now cry aloud— have you no king^[b] ? Has your ruler^[c] perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?

10 Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.

11 But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!”

12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

13 “Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

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Micah 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

The peace of the kingdom of Christ. (1-8) The judgments to come upon Jerusalem, but the final triumph of Israel. (9-13)

Verses 1-8 The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the gospel church, which will be more and more fulfilled, for He is faithful that has promised. There shall be a glorious church for God set up in the world, in the last days, in the days of the Messiah. Christ himself will build it upon a rock. The Gentiles worshipped their idol gods; but in the period spoken of, the people will cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and delight in doing his will. The word "halteth," describes those who walk not according to the Divine word. The collecting the captives from Babylon was an earnest of healing, purifying, and prospering the church; and the reign of Christ shall continue till succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Let us stir up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn his holy ways, and walk in them, receiving the law from his hands, which, being written in our hearts by his Spirit, may show our interest in the Redeemer's righteousness.

Verses 9-13 Many nations would assemble against Zion to rejoice in her calamities. They would not understand that the Lord had collected them as sheaves are gathered to be threshed; and that Zion would be strengthened to beat them to pieces. Nothing has yet taken place in the history of the Jewish church agreeing with this prediction. When God has conquering work for his people to do, he will furnish them with strength and ability for it. Believers should cry aloud under distresses, with the prayer of faith, not with despondency.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 35

1. S Psalms 48:1; Zechariah 8:3
2. S Ezekiel 17:22
3. S Psalms 22:27; Psalms 86:9; S Jeremiah 3:17; S Jeremiah 31:12; S Daniel 2:35
4. S Jeremiah 31:6; S Ezekiel 20:40
5. Zechariah 2:11; Zechariah 14:16
6. S Psalms 119:171
7. Psalms 25:8-9; S Isaiah 54:13
8. S Deuteronomy 18:18
9. S Isaiah 11:4
10. Joel 3:10; Zechariah 9:10
11. S Psalms 46:9
12. Zechariah 8:20-22; Isaiah 2:4
13. S 1 Kings 4:25
14. S Leviticus 26:6; S Ezekiel 39:26
15. S Isaiah 1:20; Zechariah 3:10
16. 2 Kings 17:29; Acts 14:16
17. Joshua 24:14-15; Isaiah 26:8; Zechariah 10:12
18. S Jeremiah 31:8
19. S Psalms 106:47; Psalms 147:2
20. S Ezekiel 34:13,16; S Ezekiel 37:21; Zephaniah 3:19
21. S Joel 2:32; S Micah 2:12
22. S Genesis 12:2
23. S Isaiah 2:2
24. S Daniel 2:44; S Daniel 7:14; S Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15
25. S Isaiah 1:26
26. Zechariah 9:9
27. Jeremiah 8:19
28. S Genesis 3:16; Jeremiah 30:6; Jeremiah 48:41
29. S Deuteronomy 21:10; 2 Kings 20:18; Isaiah 43:14
30. S Isaiah 48:20
31. S Lamentations 2:16; S Obadiah 1:12; Micah 7:8
32. S Genesis 50:20; S Isaiah 55:8; Romans 11:33-34
33. S Isaiah 21:10
34. S Isaiah 45:1; S Daniel 2:44
35. S Isaiah 23:18

Footnotes 3

[a]. Or "hill"
[b]. Or "King"
[c]. Or "Ruler"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 4

This chapter contains some gracious promises concerning the glory and happiness of the church of Christ in the last days; as of its stability, exaltation, and increase, and of the spread of the Gospel from it, Mic 4:1,2; and of the peace and security of it, and constant profession and exercise of religion in it, Mic 4:3-5; and of the deliverance of it from affliction and distress, and the ample and everlasting kingdom of Christ in it, Mic 4:6-8; and then follow some prophecies more particularly respecting the Jews; as that, though they should be in distress, and be carried captive into Babylon, they should be delivered from thence, Mic 4:9,10; and, though many people should be gathered against them, yet should not be able to prevail over them, but their attempts would issue in their own destruction, Mic 4:11-13.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Micah 4 Commentaries

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete)

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Geneva Study Bible

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Wesley's Explanatory Notes