the seventh in order of the twelve lesser prophets, is supposed
to have prophesied about B. C. 750. He was commissioned to denounce the
judgments of God against both the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, for
their idolatry and wickedness. The principal predictions contained in
this book are, the invasions of Shalmanezer and Sennecharib; the
destruction of Samaria and of Jerusalem, mixed with consolatory promises
of the deliverance of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity, and of the
downfall of the power of their Assyrian and Babylonian oppressors; the
cessation of prophecy in consequence of their continued deceitfulness
and hypocrisy; and a desolation in a then distant period, still greater
than that which was declared to be impending. The birth of the Messiah
at Bethlehem is also expressly foretold; and the Jews are directed to
look to the establishment and extent of his kingdom, as an unfailing
source of comfort amidst general distress. The style of Micah is
nervous, concise, and elegant, often elevated, and poetical, but
sometimes obscure from sudden transitions of subject; and the contrast
of the neglected duties of justice, mercy, humility, and piety, with the
punctilious observance of the ceremonial sacrifices, affords a beautiful
example of the harmony which subsists between the Mosaic and Christian
dispensations, and shows that the law partook of that spiritual nature
which more immediately characterizes the religion of Jesus.
The prophecy of Micah, contained in the fifth chapter, is, perhaps the
most important single prophecy in all the Old Testament, and the most
comprehensive respecting the personal character of the Messiah, and his
successive manifestations to the world. It crowns the whole chain of
predictions respecting the several limitations of the promised seed: to
the line of Shem; to the family of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; to
the tribe of Judah; and to the royal house of David, terminating in his
birth at Bethlehem, the city of David.” It carefully distinguishes his
human nativity from his divine nature and eternal existence; foretels
the casting off of the Israelites and Jews for a season; their ultimate
restoration; and the universal peace which should prevail in the kingdom
and under the government of the Messiah. This prophecy, therefore, forms
the basis of the New Testament revelation which commences with the birth
of the Messiah at Bethlehem, the miraculous circumstances of which are
recorded by St. Matthew and St. Luke in the introduction to their
respective histories; the eternal subsistence of Christ as the Word,” in
the sublime introduction to St. John’s Gospel; his prophetic character
and second coming, illustrated in the four Gospels and in the apostolic
epistles.
to have prophesied about B. C. 750. He was commissioned to denounce the
judgments of God against both the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, for
their idolatry and wickedness. The principal predictions contained in
this book are, the invasions of Shalmanezer and Sennecharib; the
destruction of Samaria and of Jerusalem, mixed with consolatory promises
of the deliverance of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity, and of the
downfall of the power of their Assyrian and Babylonian oppressors; the
cessation of prophecy in consequence of their continued deceitfulness
and hypocrisy; and a desolation in a then distant period, still greater
than that which was declared to be impending. The birth of the Messiah
at Bethlehem is also expressly foretold; and the Jews are directed to
look to the establishment and extent of his kingdom, as an unfailing
source of comfort amidst general distress. The style of Micah is
nervous, concise, and elegant, often elevated, and poetical, but
sometimes obscure from sudden transitions of subject; and the contrast
of the neglected duties of justice, mercy, humility, and piety, with the
punctilious observance of the ceremonial sacrifices, affords a beautiful
example of the harmony which subsists between the Mosaic and Christian
dispensations, and shows that the law partook of that spiritual nature
which more immediately characterizes the religion of Jesus.
The prophecy of Micah, contained in the fifth chapter, is, perhaps the
most important single prophecy in all the Old Testament, and the most
comprehensive respecting the personal character of the Messiah, and his
successive manifestations to the world. It crowns the whole chain of
predictions respecting the several limitations of the promised seed: to
the line of Shem; to the family of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; to
the tribe of Judah; and to the royal house of David, terminating in his
birth at Bethlehem, the city of David.” It carefully distinguishes his
human nativity from his divine nature and eternal existence; foretels
the casting off of the Israelites and Jews for a season; their ultimate
restoration; and the universal peace which should prevail in the kingdom
and under the government of the Messiah. This prophecy, therefore, forms
the basis of the New Testament revelation which commences with the birth
of the Messiah at Bethlehem, the miraculous circumstances of which are
recorded by St. Matthew and St. Luke in the introduction to their
respective histories; the eternal subsistence of Christ as the Word,” in
the sublime introduction to St. John’s Gospel; his prophetic character
and second coming, illustrated in the four Gospels and in the apostolic
epistles.