CRITICAL NOTES.]
Micah 6:9.] Israel lacks these virtues. Crieth] Earnestly and loudly in Jerusalem. Wisdom] Wise men will hear and discover God’s authority in the message. “Thy name sees wisdom, i.e., has the true wisdom of life in sight” [keil]. Thy name looks out, the holy manifestation of thyself in judgment (Isaiah 30:27; cf. Psalms 14:2) [Lange]. Rod] Judgment threatened (Isaiah 9:13).
HOMILETICS
THE VOICE OF GOD IN THE DISPENSATIONS OF HIS PROVIDENCE.—Micah 6:9
These words refer to the solemn warnings given to Israel by the ministry of the prophets, and to the judgments about to fall upon Samaria and Jerusalem, because of their sins.
First. In what way may it be said that “the Lord’s voice crieth” unto cities and nations. God has spoken by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1); by his Son and by his Spirit in Apostles and teachers. In an indirect way the voice of God is heard in his works (Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:12; Acts 14:17). But especially in providential dispensations, of mercy or judgment, in events of an afflictive nature. He speaks to cities and nations when he exposes them to war and their young men fall by the sword—when the fruits of the earth are blasted or rot in the ground—when famine succeeds and thousands pine away with hunger. In pestilence, in dreaded cholera, the voice of God is distinctly heard. Secondly. Mark the impression which the voice of God produces upon different classes of individuals. Some boldly deny that he has ever spoken to men, except perhaps by the voice of natural conscience, and treat the doctrine of providence as superstitious (2 Peter 3:3-4). Others are insensible to what is passing around them (Isaiah 26:11). Others brave the threatenings of the Almighty, as if secure against all attacks (Isaiah 5:19; Isaiah 28:15). On some only a temporary impression is made: it alarms but fails to convert (Isaiah 26:16). Others lay claim to superior wisdom, think in the discovery of the proximate or second causes of calamity that they have solved the mystery, and exclude the great First Cause that moves and regulates the whole. “The man of wisdom,” the enlightened and consistent believer, “hears a voice they cannot hear, and sees a hand they cannot see.” Thirdly. Notice the proper improvement to be made of such afflictive dispensations. “Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it.” View it not merely as a national calamity, but as a chastisement from the hand of God. While others treat it with mute surprise or affected indifference, and refuse to acknowledge a Divine hand in it, beware of such a pernicious course. Let us search and try our ways and turn to the Lord. Deep humiliation and sincere repentance should be accompanied with proofs of active and self-denying works (Isaiah 58:6-8), in nations and individuals [Scottish Cong. Mag. 1847].
“THE MEN OF WISDOM.”—Micah 6:9
Wise men are here contrasted with ignorant, careless, and wicked men. Wisdom here signifies essence, and the men of wisdom are the men of essence, not men of emptiness and folly. They hear the voice of the rod and understand the purpose for which it is sent.
I. Wise men discern the providence of God in the calamities of life. “The Lord’s voice crieth unto the city.”
1. The rod of God speaks to men. It has a voice and cries aloud. Scourges and calamities speak of the neglect and sins of men. They are the voice of God speaking in power and authority. Awful judgments and visitations are a rod to check and chastise for sin, to prevent folly and further misery. Yet many see but hear them not. God speaks once, yea twice, yet men perceive it not (Job 33:14).
2. The rod of God is appointed for men. “Who hath appointed it.” Hume in his English History ascribes famines and desolating events, to the ignorance of the people, the rude methods of agriculture practised by our forefathers, and affirms that the progress of science and art will prevent calamities eventually. Men ascribe them to chance or to second causes, and ridicule the idea of Divine appointment. But these men recognize Divine purpose and direct interposition—believe in a fixed time and place; hear the rod and know it for their good (Job 5:6). “For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me; and many such things are with him” (Job 23:14).
II. Wise men learn the lessons of God in the calamities of life. “The man of wisdom shall see thy name.” They hear the voice and discern the majesty of God. They see the name of God, the power and presence of God in his dealings with men. The glory of the Divine attributes is displayed in the administrations of providence.
1. They understand afflictive dispensations. They hear and read what is spoken. They see the mind, the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 2:31). Few are wise and understand these things. But wise men discern the truth of the rod in its reports of evil deeds and God’s displeasure. “The knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.”
2. They submit to afflictive dispensations. God’s voice cries to all men, but the wise only hear and obey. They bow to the rod as under the command of God. They mourn for sin, learn righteousness (Isaiah 28:21), and find that “the school of the cross is the school of light.” By humiliation they seek to avoid or mitigate the stroke. When the blow has fallen they look to God “who hath appointed it,” and learn the lessons of spiritual profit for which it was sent. “Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see.” “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?”
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 6
Micah 6:9. Rod. The rod hath a voice that is in the hands of earthly fathers, but children hear it not, they understand it not till they are hushed and quiet, and brought to kiss it, and sit silently under it; no more shall we hear or understand the voice of the rod that is in our heavenly Father’s hand, till we come to kiss it, and sit silently under it [Brooks].