Micah 5:8 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

In the midst of many people; see Micah 5:7; who are enemies, that do injure them. As a lion for strength and courage, which the beasts of the forest dare not oppose: and cannot resist, so Should this remnant; much like that Leviticus 26:8. As a young lion among the flocks of sheep; a second allusion of the same import, but yet with some greater emphasis; in the former comparison, the greater cattle, called behemoth, in this sheep, much lesser and weaker cattle, are compared with the lion and young lion. Treadeth down; overbeareth, and throws down by his strength, and treads under foot with as much ease as a man would tread on worms, or tread down straw for the dunghill. Teareth in pieces; to devour, satisfy his hunger, and repair his strength for a new assault on his prey. None can deliver; that dares attempt a rescue; but the prey is left under the lion's paw, to satisfy the hungry beast: so shall Israel be after their return out of captivity, and while they keep the ways of the Lord; so they were in Esther's time, against such as would have destroyed them; so in the Maccabees time, when they subdued the nations about them. But the conquering power of the word, the rod of Christ's strength, doth greater wonders than the sword of the Maccabees ever did. It is the mighty conquering power of the gospel that is here shadowed forth to us. In the midst of many people; see Micah 5:7; who are enemies, that do injure them. As a lion for strength and courage, which the beasts of the forest dare not oppose: and cannot resist, so Should this remnant; much like that Leviticus 26:8. As a young lion among the flocks of sheep; a second allusion of the same import, but yet with some greater emphasis; in the former comparison, the greater cattle, called behemoth, in this sheep, much lesser and weaker cattle, are compared with the lion and young lion. Treadeth down; overbeareth, and throws down by his strength, and treads under foot with as much ease as a man would tread on worms, or tread down straw for the dunghill. Teareth in pieces; to devour, satisfy his hunger, and repair his strength for a new assault on his prey. None can deliver; that dares attempt a rescue; but the prey is left under the lion's paw, to satisfy the hungry beast: so shall Israel be after their return out of captivity, and while they keep the ways of the Lord; so they were in Esther's time, against such as would have destroyed them; so in the Maccabees time, when they subdued the nations about them. But the conquering power of the word, the rod of Christ's strength, doth greater wonders than the sword of the Maccabees ever did. It is the mighty conquering power of the gospel that is here shadowed forth to us.