The Book of Micah with Brit-Am/Hebrew Awareness Commentary
Continued from Micah ch.4. part 1.
Part Two. Micah Verses 4:7-13.
The Book of Micah with Brit-Am/Hebrew Awareness Commentary. Chapter 4.
Part Two, Micah Verses 4:6-13
5 For all the peoples walk
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
forever and ever.
This is somewhat of a break in the previous continuum. It could be understood that Judah will always have remained basically faithful to believe in the God of Israel.
6 In that day, declares the LORD,
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away
and those whom I have afflicted;
Abarbanel: "The lame," refers to Israel and the Ten Tribes. Perhaps they are referred to as "lame" since Jacob was lame (after struggling with the angel, Genesis 32:32).
"Those who have been driven away" may also be the Ten Tribes whereas "Those whom I have afflicted" applies to Judah. The Almighty will rule over both parties..
7 and the lame I will make the remnant,
and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion
from this time forth and forevermore.
a strong nation. According to Abarbanel refers to Judah. He opines that in the End Times Judah will be made extremely numerous.
The LORD will reign over them. The Commentary "Daat Mikra" understands this to mean that they (Judah and Israel) will no longer sin against the Almighty.
8 And you, O tower of the flock,
hill of the daughter of Zion,
to you shall it come,
the former dominion shall come,
kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem.
tower of the flock. In Hebrew "Migdal Ader," The Midrash says this was a place just outside of Jerusalem where people who wished to offer up a sacrifice in the Temple would go and buy a suitable animal (Mishnah Shekalim 7:4, Midrash Beishit Rabati 105).
Abarbanel says that though in the past Jerusalem was in the territory of Judah in the future it will not be so. Jerusalem will be divided among all the Tribes. Each Tribe will have its own section within the city. "The gates of the city will be named after the Tribes of Israel" (Ezekiel 48:31).
9 Now why do you cry aloud?
Is there no king in you?
Has your counselor perished,
that pain seized you like a woman in labor?
The way of Scripture is to flit back and forth between different scenarios. Here, Abarbanel says this is referring to the Ten Tribes just before their Exile. He says they sought help from foreign nations instead of relying on the Almighty. Therefore they were punished.
10 Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion,
like a woman in labor,
for now you shall go out from the city
and dwell in the open country;
you shall go to Babylon.
There you shall be rescued;
there the LORD will redeem you
from the hand of your enemies.
Abarbanel says that even Judah was punished and exiled some comfort was extended. The Jews managed to keep the Torah in their period of Exile.
11 Now many nations
are assembled against you,
saying, 'Let her be defiled,
and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.'
Abarbanel says this applies to the End Times. Rome and the forces of Edom the arch-enemy of Israel will rise up. Edom (meaning Europe) will unite with Ishmael which is usually understood to mean the forces of Islam. They will come together to do war against Jerusalem. This in a small way is already beginning to shape up in our time.
12 But they do not know
the thoughts of the LORD;
they do not understand his plan,
that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor.
Rabbi Moseh David Valley says that the non-Israelite nations shall come to Israel and some of them will have impure intentions. They will be winnowed out, the good separated from the bad.
13 Arise and thresh,
O daughter of Zion,
for I will make your horn iron,
and I will make your hoofs bronze;
you shall beat in pieces many peoples;
and shall devote their gain to the LORD,
their wealth to the LORD of the whole earth.
Continued at Micah ch.5 part one.