CRITICAL NOTES.]
Micah 2:3. Family] Nation. Devise] Cf. Micah 2:1, “to set clearly before our eyes the jus talionis prevalent in God’s providence” (Exodus 21:23; Isaiah 33:1) [Lange]. Necks] You cannot shake off punishment as ye have done law. Haughtily] Stiff necks will have to bend; they will not carry themselves loftily (Psalms 58:9), for their iniquity causes an evil time.
Micah 2:4. Par-] Wickedness and punishment will be subjects of common conversation. Doleful] Lit. laments with a lamentation of lamentations, i.e. a mournfully mournful song. Say] “Actum est! it is all over! an exclamation of despair.” Turning] i.e. causes the inheritance to pass to the heathen; some, “to a rebel, our fields he divideth.”
Micah 2:5. Cast] No possession left for the usual mode of division.
HOMILETICS
RETRIBUTIVE PUNISHMENT.—Micah 2:3-5
Sentence is now pronounced against the sins specified, and the woe threatened (Micah 2:1) is explained. God will inflict such judgments, and bring such times, that will effectually humble their pride and recompense their wickedness.
I. Punishment in kind. God is not an idle spectator of oppression, and delay in punishment is not disregard.
1. They devised evil against others, and evil is devised against them. “Against this family do I devise an evil.” Retribution is measured and planned against wicked men. Infinite wisdom will frustrate and punish human designs.
2. They took the lands of others, and their own land shall be taken from them. The inheritance was given to the foe and would never be divided by lot again. Mercies given by special providence may be removed in righteous judgment for our sin. If we forsake God he will forsake us. Riches, honour, and pleasure he can turn into captivity, and unjust gain will pass into the hands of others. Words are not sown in the wind, and actions written in the dust; but like imperishable seed they spring up and fructify in human life. “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”
II. Punishment most humiliating.
1. They would be humbled in their pride. “Neither shall ye go haughtily.” Men dream that if they cannot avoid judgments they will be undaunted and courageous under them. God can humble the proud, subdue the self-willed, and throw the mightiest into captivity and sorrow.
2. They would become a by-word in their sufferings. “In that day shall one take up a parable against you.” The calamity was not an ordinary one, but a common proverb in the mouth of others. Sinners are often an example of God’s justice and a warning to others. When others insult and jest at our grief it is most bitter to endure. The most haughty and prosperous will then be dejected and sad.
3. Their condition would be most lamentable. “Lament with a doleful lamentation.” (a) Because the change was so great. God had taken their possessions and fixed others in them. “He hath changed the portion of my people.” (b) Because their case was so hopeless. “We be utterly spoiled.” What reverses in life to prove the folly of men and the providence of God. “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and thou art tormented.”
III. Punishment most irretrievable. “An evil from which ye shall not remove your necks.” It was a yoke they could neither avoid nor shake off. From the two tribes the joke was removed, but the ten were never able to withdraw their necks. The punishment was most severe and proportioned in justice to the sins. Those that will not be ruled by grace will be overcome by judgment. Prefer the easy to the iron yoke. Flee now from sin that you may be saved from judgment at last. “For this time is evil.”
HOMILETIC HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Micah 2:4. The dirge which follows is purposely in abrupt brief words, as those in trouble speak, with scarce a breath for utterance. First, in two words, with perhaps a softened inflection, they express the utterness of their desolation. Then, in a threefold sentence, each close consisting of three short words, they say what God has done, but name him not because they are angry with him. God’s chastisements irritate those whom they do not subdue (Amos 6:10) [Pusey].
Spoiled. Joel spoke of the parting of their land, under this same term, as a sin of the heathen (Micah 3:2). Now they say God divideth our fields, not to us, but to the heathen, whose lands he gave us. It was a change of act; in impenitence they think it a change of purpose or will. But what lies in that we be utterly despoiled? Despoiled of everything; of what they felt, temporal things; and of what they did not feel, spiritual things. Despoiled of the land of promise, the good things of this life, but also of the presence of God in his temple, the grace of the Lord, the image of God and everlasting glory [Pusey].
Blessings abused are at last removed by the Almighty Giver.
None by lot. Wickedness casting out a people,
1. From the protection and blessings of God;
2. Will cast out from the presence of God hereafter. Neither part nor lot in this matter (Acts 8:21).
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 2
Micah 2:4. He hath divided our fields. The land was but the outward symbol of the inward heritage. Unjust gain kept back is restored with usury; it taketh away the life of the owners thereof (Proverbs 1:19). The vineyard whereof the Jews said, the inheritance shall be ours, was taken from them and given to others. So now is that awful change begun when Christians, leaving God, their only unchanging good, turn to earthly vanities, and for the grace of God which he withdraws have these only for their fleeting portion, until it shall be finally exchanged in the day of judgment [Pusey].