Micah 7:18,19 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Who is a God like unto thee That is, there is no God like unto thee; that passeth by the transgression of the remnant, &c. That pardons the offences of the remainder of his people, namely, of those that shall survive the various punishments and destructions brought upon their forefathers for their sins. He retaineth not his anger for ever Though in his just displeasure he suffered their enemies to destroy their city, and lay their country desolate, and sent them into captivity; yet will he restore them again, and raise them to a state of great prosperity. He will chastise, but not consume his remnant. Because he delighteth in mercy Because it is his nature to delight in pardoning the penitent, and communicating blessings; whereas to punish, or inflict evil, is contrary to it. He will turn again, he will have compassion Or, he will again have compassion upon us. He will subdue our iniquities He will deliver us not only from the guilt, but also from the power of them, so that they shall not have dominion over us. Thou wilt utterly destroy them, as thou didst destroy Pharaoh and his army in the Red sea: a victory this, which can only be obtained by the merits of Christ, and the grace of the gospel. And therefore the remnant, here spoken of, to which God will show such mercy, seems to be chiefly those Jews which should be reserved to be made partakers of the benefits which should be conferred on that nation, upon their conversion to Christianity. Then especially shall God make manifest his mercy toward them, in pardoning all their former stubbornness and disobedience, and receiving them into his favour as formerly; and that in a degree greater than was ever experienced in the preceding ages of their church.

Micah 7:18-19

18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.