Commentary on
Micah 7:11-18
12 In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
13 Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.
14 Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.
16 The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of Yehuveh our Elohim, and shall fear because of thee.
18 Who is an Elohim like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.
Commentary on 7:11-17 [14 June 2006]: The rebuilding of Jerusalem, which Zechariah 1:7 states was announced “upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius,” 12 February 2007, is certain.
What decree is to be far removed at that time? The Hebrew word translated decree is Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary entry H2706, choq, “an enactment; hence an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage),” from entry H2710, chaqaq, a primary root meaning “to hack, engrave (Judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or prescribe.” Of the 126 uses of this word in Scripture 86 are translated statute(s), and another 20 are translated as law(s), ordinance(s), and decree(s). The Hebrew word here translated “far removed,” is entry H7368, rachaq, a primary root meaning “to widen (in any direction); to recede or remove.” This greatly simplifies the reading. “In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the statutes be broadened.”
Moses long before had told Israel, “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which Yehuveh Elohim of your fathers giveth you. . . . What nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” Once again Yehuveh has brought His people into His land to accomplish His glorious purposes for them. This time He and they will succeed! “This day Yehuveh thy Elohim hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched Yehuveh this day to be thy Elohim, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and to hearken unto His voice: and Yehuveh hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments; and to make thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto Yehuveh thy Elohim, as He hath spoken.” Deuteronomy 4:1-8; 26:16-19.
Once again, “according to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.” With a people who willingly trust in Yehuveh to defend them, protect them and provide for them, once again He will show the whole world spectacular things! “The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. . . . they shall be afraid of Yehuveh our Elohim, and shall fear because of thee.” This glorious future is certain; our total trust in Yehuveh must be equally certain. The foundations of this trust we must be laying now.
Commentary on 7:18 [14 June 2006]: What an awesome privilege is ours to come back into the everlasting covenant relationship with Yehuveh which is being offered us again right now. During this final week of this final Jubilee cycle, “He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.” Right now, as you consider the closing words of Micah, He is appealing to you to confirm your covenant with Him. Right now! Daniel 9:27.
Gael Bataman
Originally Written: 14 June 2006
Latest Update: 13 October 2007
Return to Zadok Home Continue . . . Return One Page Go to Micah Introduction