Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Micah 5:4
And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
4. And he shall stand and feed ] viz. his flock, as a shepherd. Over this restored and regenerate people the Messiah shall preside in the plenitude of Divine power. ‘Stand,’ as a shepherd amidst his flock, Isa 61:5.
in the majesty of the name, &c.] This is not at all an otiose feature of the description. The ‘Name’ of Jehovah is an appellation of the self-revealing aspect (one might almost say, Person) of the Godhead. Comp. Isa 30:27, ‘Behold, the Name of Jehovah cometh from far his lips are full of indignation,’ &c. In fact, the Messiah, who is ‘God the Mighty One,’ may be said to be an incarnation of the Name of Jehovah.
abide ] i.e. remain undisturbed in their land.
now shall he be great ] ‘Now,’ from the point of view of the fulfilment of the prophecy (instead of ‘then’).
unto the ends of the earth ] The Messiah’s kingdom will more than supplant Assyria’s; comp. Psa 2:8; Psa 72:8. Obs. how the Messianic hope developes and gathers strength in the atmosphere of Assyrian conquest.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And He shall stand – The prophet continues to speak of personal acts of this Ruler who was to be born. He was not to pass away, not to rule only by others, but by Himself. To stand is the attitude of a servant, as Jesus, although God and Lord of all, said of Himself, He shall come forth and serve them Luk 12:37; The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister Mat 20:28. He shall stand as a Shepherd Isa 61:5, to watch, feed, guard them, day and night; He shall stand, as Stephen saw Christ standing on the Right Hand of God Act 7:55, to succor all those who suffer for Him. : For to sit belongs to one judging; to stand, to one fighting or helping. He shall stand, as abiding, not to pass from them, as Himself saith, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world Mat 28:20 : and He shall feed His flock by His Spirit, His Word, His Wisdom and doctrine, His example and life; yea, by His own Body and Blood John 6. They whom He feedeth lack nothing Psa 23:1.
In the strength of the Lord – He, who feedeth them with divine tenderness, shall also have divine might, His Fathers and His own, to protect them; as He saith, My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them and they follow Me, neither shall any man pluck them out of My Hand. My Father Which gave them Me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Fathers Hand. I and My Father are One Joh 10:27-30. With authority, it is said, He commandeth even the unclean spirits and they come out Luk 4:36. His feeding or teaching also was with authority, and not as the scribes Mat 7:29.
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God – As John says, We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of His Father Joh 1:14; and He saith, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth Mat 28:18; so that the divine glory should shine through the majesty of His teaching, the power of His Grace, upholding His own, and the splendor of the miracles wrought by Him and in His Name. Of the Name of the Lord; as He saith again, Holy Father, keep through Thine own Name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name Joh 17:11-12. : Whoever then is sent to feed His flock must stand, that is, be firm and unshaken; feed, not sell, nor slay; and feed in might, that is, in Christ. His God, as our Lord Himself, as Man, saith, Unto My Father, and your Father, and to My God and your God .
But that Majesty He Himself wields, as no mere man can; He Himself is invested with it. : To ordinary kings God is strength Psa 28:7; Psa 140:7, or gives strength 1Sa 2:10; men have strength in God; this Ruler is clad in the strength of the Lord, that same strength, which the Lord hath, whose is strength. Of Him, as Israels King, the same is said as of the Lord, as King of the whole earth Psa 93:1; only that the strength of the Messiah is not His own, but the Lords. He is invested with the strength of the Lord, because He is Man; as Man, He can be invested with the whole strength of the Lord, only because He is also God.
And they shall abide – (Literally, sit, dwell) in rest and security and unbroken peace under Christ their Shepherd and their King; they shall not wander to and fro as heretofore He, their Shepherd, shall stand; they shall sit. The word is the more emphatic, because it stands so absolutely. This will be a sitting or dwelling, which will indeed deserve the name. The original promise, so often forfeited by their disobedience should be perfectly fulfilled; and ye shall dwell in your land safely, and I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid . So Amos and Micah had before promised . And this is the result of the greatness of the promised Ruler, as the like promise of the Psalm is rested on the immutability of God; Thou art the Same, and Thy years shall have no end. The children of Thy servants shall dwell, and their seed shall be established before Thee. Psa 102:27-28. For it follows,
For now – (In the time which Micah saw as did Abraham with the eye of faith,) now, in contrast to that former time of lowliness. His life shall be divided between a life of obscurity, and a life of never-ending greatness.
Shall He be great unto the (very) ends of the earth – embracing them in His rule, (as David and Solomon had foretold ,) and so none shall harm those whom He, the King of all the earth, shall protect. The universality of protection is derived from an universality of power. To David God says, I have made thee a great name, like the name of the great that are in the earth 2Sa 7:9. Of Uzziah it is said, His name went forth far; for he was marvelously helped, until he was strong (2Ch 26:15, add 2Ch 26:8); but of the Messiah alone it is said, that His power should reach to the ends of the earth; as God prophesies of Himself, that His Name should be great among the pagan Mal 1:11, Mal 1:14. So Gabriel said to His Mother, This, whom she should bear, shall be great .
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Mic 5:4
He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord
The Mighty Shepherd
I.
His activity and zeal. He shall stand. We read of idle shepherds, who lie down and sleep and neglect their flock. This attitude of standing shows–
1. Dignity. He is the Royal Shepherd.
2. Observation. He who stands can survey all around.
3. Attention. He does not withdraw His eyes. He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
II. His regard. He shall feed. The term feed is not confined to providing food. It applies to all the duties of a shepherd. And this office consists of unwearied care, such as–
1. Causing them to rest. The weary child of God must pause, and the wise Shepherd selects the time and place.
2. Leading them. The Eastern shepherd treads the ground before his flock.
3. Restoring the wanderers. There are always the erring and wandering–headstrong, foolish, daring.
4. Healing the wounded.
5. Defending the weak and securing the flock.
III. His ability. In the strength of the Lord. This does not mean borrowed strength; the strength of the Lord is His own. And power is needed. Who can realise the danger and difficulties of the Church on earth, or the trials of a struggling soul?
IV. His dignity. In the majesty of His God. Majesty combined with strength. How majestic was Christ, even in His humiliation! Majesty combined with simplicity; majesty and gentleness. But Christ is terrible in majesty, terrible to His foes. Who shall abide His day? Yea, He is terrible to the foes of His flock. (Homilist.)
The Shepherd and His mission
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Many other things were predicted in the Scriptures; but incidentally, relatively, subordinately; this testimony was the fixed subject and steady aim of the whole. All the prophets testified of Jesus, though not all in the same way or in the same degree. They did not always understand their own predictions. From this prediction consider–
I. His implied character. It is that of a shepherd. The character of a shepherd now is far less respectable than it was in early ages, and especially in the East. The character of a good shepherd has been applied to a good ruler. Christ is called the Good Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, and Gods Shepherd. And we are told that both His kindness and His love are unexampled.
II. Observe His work. Stand and feed. The pastures in which He feeds His people are His Word and ordinances. We are not to restrain the work of this Divine Shepherd to feeding only. He affords repose; for His flock need rest as well as provision. A shepherd also guides them. Christ guides His people by His Word, by His Spirit, and by His providence. By His Word He shows them the way in which they should go. By His Spirit He gives them the inclination, and works in them to walk in the way of His pleasure. By His providence He arranges all, and fixes all their circumstances in life for the advancement of His own glory and their real welfare. As a shepherd He restores; for they sometimes, nay often, go astray. As a shepherd He heals their sicknesses. He renders all His ordinances and all His dispensations salutary. As a shepherd He defends them all, else they would be destroyed.
III. How He is to perform His work.
1. He will do this attentively. Stand and feed.
2. Powerfully. In the strength of the Lord.
3. Nobly or gracefully. In the majesty of the . . . name of the Lord His God . . . Power . . . is not always, dignity; authority, when it is not softened by condescension, has in it something harsh and repelling.
Some who feel their strength, think of nothing else. Christ is mild and gentle. He exerted His power mildly, kindly, if you will, majestically.
IV. The safety of the flock. And they shall abide. To abide is to continue, to endure, to be able to withstand any foe, and to go forth against it. There is, however, a difference between the fact and the comfort of it. The believer is often filled with fear, and is ready to suppose that God is going to destroy us. At other times Christians are able to realise this fact by faith.
V. The extension of His own renown. Now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. In order to this He must be known, and to make Himself known is all that is necessary to this. The more He is known, the more will He be loved and adored. And does He not deserve to be known? The Christians grief is that Christ is so little known and adored. There are, however, two things to console them.
1. That it is not so in the other world.
2. They know that it will not be so always, nor long, even in this world.
They know that He shall have the heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession. (William Jay.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. He shall stand and feed] The Messiah shall remain with his followers, supporting and governing them in the strength and majesty of the Lord, with all the miraculous interferences of his power, and all the glories of his grace.
And they shall abide] After this the Jews shall no more go astray, but shall remain one people with the Gentiles, under the one Shepherd and Bishop of all souls.
Newcome translates, “They shall be converted” for instead of veyashebu, he reads veyashubu, which gives him the translation above. This is the reading of three MSS. of Kennicott’s and De Rossi’s, with the Syriac, Chaldee, and Vulgate.
For now shall he be great] The Messiah shall be great, as bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. All nations shall receive his religion, and he shall be universal King.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He, the Ruler born in Bethlehem, the Messiah, shall stand: sometimes this posture denoteth the ministry of a servant, but here it speaks the readiness, cheerfulness, firmness, and stability of both the ruler, his government, and kingdom.
Feed; as a Shepherd that does diligently watch over, guide, preserve, and feed his sheep, or as rulers are called shepherds. Christ is that good Shepherd, Joh 10:14; and he is the righteous and holy Governor, and his government shall have no end, Isa 9:7.
In the strength of the Lord; in the assistance which God shall give him, for Christ-man was carried through this great work, redeeming, setting up, establishing his church by the power of the Father, who was with him, and upheld him, as was promised, Isa 61:1-3. All power in heaven and earth was given to Christ our Mediator, who being eternal God, of equal power with his Father, doth in his own strength overcome all enemies, removeth all difficulties, gathereth and governeth his church, and will do so to the end of the world; such visible, convincing tokens of a Divine power and glory working in him, and with those he sendeth to preach the gospel, I mean apostles, and all managed to the glory of God.
In the majesty of the name; by commission from the Lord, in whose name Christ came, preached, wrought miracles, and instituted his gospel church.
Of the Lord his God, i.e. God the Father.
They shall abide; his sheep, his subjects, his redeemed Israel, his church made up of converted Jews and Gentiles, shall continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
For; the church is so redeemed and established, that Christ the Messiah might be glorified; God will give him a glorious name, therefore these things are disposed in this manner.
Now, either ere long, or in due time, at the set time,
shall he, Messiah,
be great unto the ends of the earth; whose redeeming grace shall be published to the ends of the earth, said his dominion, his spiritual kingdom, shall be enlarged wide as the world itself. All here spoken in this verse is too great any way to be applied to Zerubbabel, as some Jews themselves confess.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. he shall standthat is,persevere: implying the endurance of His kingdom [CALVIN].Rather, His sedulous care and pastoral circumspection, as a shepherdstands erect to survey and guard His flock on every side (Isa61:5) [MAURER].
feedthat is, rule: asthe Greek word similarly in Mt2:6, Margin, means both “feed” and “rule”(Isa 40:11; Isa 49:10;Eze 34:23; compare 2Sa 5:2;2Sa 7:8).
in the majesty of the name ofthe Lordpossessing the majesty of all Jehovah’s revealedattributes (“name”) (Isa 11:2;Phi 2:6; Phi 2:9;Heb 2:7-9).
his GodGod is “HisGod” in a oneness of relation distinct from the sense in whichGod is our God (Joh 20:17).
they shall abidetheIsraelites (“they,” namely, the returning remnantand the “children of Israel previously in Canaan) shall dwellin permanent security and prosperity (Mic 4:4;Isa 14:30).
unto the ends of the earth(Mic 4:1; Psa 72:8;Zec 9:10).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord,…. The ruler in Israel, before described and prophesied of; the Messiah, as Kimchi himself interprets it, and other Jewish writers. Kimchi’s note is,
“after the affliction, the King Messiah shall stand and feed Israel in the strength of the Lord;”
and so R. Isaac t paraphrases the words exactly in the same way: wherefore, as another learned Jew u observes, these expressions evince that the ruler here spoken of can be no other than the Messiah; not Zerubbabel, who never attained to this height and happiness. He is both King and Shepherd, and to each of these the act of feeding is ascribed. The same word, in the Greek language, signifies both to rule and to feed and is used by Matthew, Mt 2:6; and kings are often compared to shepherds. Christ feeds his people, his brethren, his flock, his sheep, and lambs all truly converted ones; and this takes in the whole office of a shepherd, and the care he has of his flock; he takes an exact account of them, goes before them, and leads them out into good pastures; sets under shepherds over them; protects them from, all their enemies; looks after what is lost or driven away; heals the sick, strengthens the weak, binds up the broken, and watches over his flock continually: he feeds them with, himself, the bread of life, with his flesh and blood, which are meat and drink indeed; with the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel; and which are found to be spiritual, savoury, strengthening, satisfying, and soul nourishing food: and he “stands” and does this, being raised from the dead, and possessed of all power in heaven and in earth; which designs not the position of his body, but the ministration of his office, and his alacrity and readiness to perform it, and his constancy in it: and all this “in the strength of the Lord”; in his own strength, as a divine Person, which is the same with the strength of Jehovah; and in the power and strength that is dispensed to him as Mediator; and with his Gospel, the rod of his strength, and in such manner as to defend his flock from all that would devour them:
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; Jehovah the Father is the God of Christ, as is Mediator; and his name is in him, even the majesty of it; for, as a divine Person, he has the same nature and perfections with him; and as man, exalted at his right hand, has a name above every name in this world, or that to come; and it is by authority from him, in his office capacity, that he rules and feeds his people, having all judgment committed to him:
and they shall abide; that is, his people, his flock, his sheep fed and ruled by him; these shall continue and persevere under his care and keeping; in him, in whom they are chosen and preserved; in his love, from which they can never be separated; in his hands, out of which none can pluck them; in his church, where they shall ever remain; and so may be considered as a promise of the perseverance of the saints in faith and holiness to the end: or, “they shall sit” w; quietly and securely, being freed from persecution, with which the Christians were at, ended in the first three centuries: this began to be accomplished in the times of Constantius Chlorus, who helped the Christians in the times of Dioclesian, and with whom the persecutions ended, and peace and prosperity followed:
for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth; as, he was in the times of Constantine, and will be again. Christ is great in himself, in, his person and offices; and will appear to be so unto all men, even unto the ends of the earth, when his Gospel shall be preached and spread, everywhere; when his kingdom shall be enlarged, and be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth; even then shall he appear to be a great King over all the earth, and, the great Shepherd of the sheep, the man, Jehovah’s fellow; and to have such a flock, and so large, as never any had; when there will be one fold, and one shepherd; for this prophecy respects the latter day glory. Kimchi’s gloss is,
“the name of the Messiah shall be magnified, after the judgment of the wicked.”
t Ibid. (Chizzuk Emunah, par. 1. p. 281.) u Tanchuma apud Pocock in loc. w “sedebunt”, Tigurine version, Vatablus, Drusius; “considebunt”, Cocceius; so R. Isaac, “they shall sit safely in his time”, as is said above, ch. iv. 4. “they shall sit every man”, &c. Chizzuk Emunah, ut supra. (par. 1. p. 281.)
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 4-15:
Conditions And Events In The Millennial Age
Verse 4 describes how this Messiah shall stand and govern (rule by leading like a shepherd) the whole earth, in the majesty and glory of the Lord, Matthew 2; Matthew 6; Isa 40:11; Isa 9:5. Then the “they”, of the returned remnant, shall dwell in perfect peace and safety, Mic 4:4; Isa 14:30. And now or “then,” at that time, He, the King of glory and peace alone, shall be recognized as majestic, as declared Psa 72:8; Isa 52:13; Zec 9:10; Luk 1:32; Joe 2:21; Luk 2:14.
Verse 5 declares that “this man,” shall be (exist as) the source and power of peace, when enemies assault from Assyria or Gentile dominions, for He is the permanent peace-giver, for peace between God and man, Gen 49:10; Isa 9:6; Eph 2:14; Eph 2:17; Col 1:20; Hos 2:18; Zec 9:10; Luk 2:14. When the enemy comes in, Micah asserts that in that day, they of Israel, with their majestic king of peace, power and glory, shall raise up seven (the number of perfection), yea, eight, (the number of new beginning, starting over), a sufficient number of shepherds and principal men, anointed men, able leaders, divinely appointed and sustained to preserve peace, with the twelve apostles on twelve thrones, Luk 22:30; Job 5:19; Pro 6:16; Ecc 11:2.
Verse 6 assures that the Assyrian armies that would come to plunder, destroy, and lead them captive, would after many days, at the final coming of the Messiah, as the majestic King of glory, lay waste the land of both Assyria and Nimrod, when they came up against their restored remnant at Armageddon, Mic 4:10; Gen 10:10-11; 2Ki 3:21; See also Joe 2:11; Joe 3:9-16; Joe 3:20; Rev 19:11-18. A day of triumph and glory awaits Israel’s acceptance of the rejected Redeemer and Messiah, and the marriage of the Lamb to His church-bride, Heb 10:36-37; Rev 19:5-9.
Verse 7 is a description of the redeemed remnant of the nation of Israel, as dwelling in their land with peace and tranquillity, as a welcome dew from the Lord, or like a needed and appreciated shower of rain upon the thirsty grass, Deu 32:2; Psa 72:6; Psa 110:3; Isa 66:19; Zec 8:13. They shall then have gratitude for His grace and mercy to them, Rom 11:33-36.
Verse 8 also describes the remnant of Jacob (national Israel) restored among the Gentiles, empowered to subdue them after many years of dispersion, Luk 21:24; They shall, under their Great Shepherd King, subdue Gentile persecutors, like a lion among the beasts of the forests, or a young lion having his way among the flocks; For they shall be led by “the lion of the tribe of Judah” in that day, as He and they prevail, Rev 5:5.
Verse 9 pledges to Israel that she shall be exalted to raise her hand of strength high, to suppress every foe, when she shall have received her returned redeemer and king, as her true Lord, Exo 13:9; Isa 26:11. Israel’s foes are God’s foes, and they shall be put down by the uplifted hand of Israel’s armies, captained by the Glory-King, Rev 19:11-18.
Verse 10 declares that the Lord will cut off or destroy their horses, as He comes with better forces from glory to put down the raging war of Armageddon, Rev 19:11-18. He had forbidden Israel to trust in horses for battle, in ancient times, or the use of cavalry under the law, Deu 17:16; lest they should trust in worldly forces, rather than in God, Psa 20:7. Solomon had disregarded this mandate, 1Ki 10;26, 28. The removal of horses for purposes of war is here declared, by Micah, to be an act of Divine mercy, Zec 9:10.
Verse 11 further prophesies that God will remove the strongholds of battle ramparts from every city. Peace will be so perfect that neither battle-ramparts nor walls will need be built around the cities in all the Holy Land, or all the earth, in that day. They will not be needed or desired when men beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and peace covers the earth and men learn of war nor more, Isa 2:2-5; Eze 38:11; Jer 23:6; Jer 49:31; Zec 2:8.
Verse 12 explains that witchcraft and soothsaying will be cut off from the land in that great day of peace and holiness. Such deceitful, fraudulent offenses will no more be found in Israel or all the earth, in that day, Isa 2:6-8. Though they were then prevalent in all the land. Both practices of witchcraft and soothsaying are forms of lying, deception, dishonesty, and fraud, perpetrated on frustrated people, for personal carnal, covetous gain. They are always condemned in the scriptures, in whatever form they take, 2Ki 9:22; Nah 3:4. See also Exo 22:18; Deu 18:10; 1Sa 15:23; 2Ch 33:6; Gal 5:20. Consultation of or consorting with magicians, soothsayers, or clairvoyants was forbidden, under penalty of death, in the law of Moses, and the principle of many, Exo 7:11; Act 8:9; Act 13:6; Acts 9; Lev 20:6; Lev 20:27; 1Sa 28:3; 1Sa 28:7-8. Sorcery was another lucrative form of this popular lying and deception, also forbidden in the Word, Jer 27:9; Mal 3:5; Rev 9:21; Rev 21:8; Rev 22:15.
Verse 13 asserts that graven statues and images of worship shall all be cut off, as objects of disobedience and offense, in that day, Exo 20:1-4; Isa 2:8; Isa 2:18-21; Isa 30:22; Zec 13:2. They shall no more be an idolatrous people, 1Ki 14;23; Psa 115:1-9.
Verse 14 also asserts that their groves or stumps of trees left standing, as idols to the Canaanitish goddess of nature, shall all be plucked, (uprooted) destroyed out of their midst, as even a visible object of temptation to false worship, Exo 34:13; Deu 16:21-22. No images of graven, lifeless, god-worship is to be left in the land in that day, that the first of all God’s commandments may have none occasion of offense, Exo 20:1-5. Their city-enemies are to be destroyed.
Verse 15 assures that furious vengeance-judgment is to be poured out upon the heathen in that day, of all days, of judgment fury, as they have never heard or hearkened to the warnings of the Lord, Jehovah; He will exterminate every ungodly power before His fury is abated, Psa 110:5-6; Psa 149:7; 2Th 1:8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
There is no doubt but that the Prophet continues here to speak of Christ; and though the Jews shamelessly pervert the whole Scripture, they yet cannot deny that Micah calls here the attention of all the godly to the coming of Christ, yea, of all who hope or desire to obtain salvation. This is certain. Let us now see what the Prophet ascribes to Christ.
He shall stand, he says, and feed in the power of Jehovah The word, stand, designates perseverance, as though he had said, that it would not be for a short time that God would gather by Christ the remnant of the people; that it would not be, as it often happens, when some rays of joy shine, and then immediately vanish. The Prophet shows here that the kingdom of Christ would be durable and permanent. It will then proceed; for Christ will not only rule his Church for a few days, but his kingdom will continue to stand through unbroken series of years and of ages. We nor then understand the Prophet’s object.
He adds in the second place, He shall feed in the strength of Jehovah, in the greatness of the name of Jehovah his God; by which words he means, that there would be sufficient power in Christ to defend his Church. The Church, we know, is in this world subject to various troubles, for it is never without enemies; for Satan always finds those whom he induces, and whose fury he employs to harass the children of God. As then the Church of God is tossed by many tempests, it has need of a strong and invincible defender. Hence this distinction is now ascribed by our Prophet to Christ, — that he shall feed in the strength of Jehovah, and in the majesty of his God. As to the word feed, it no doubt expresses what Christ is to his people, to the flock committed to him and to his care. Christ then rules not in his Church as a dreaded tyrant, who distresses his subjects with fear; but he is a Shepherd who gently deals with his flock. Nothing therefore can exceed the kindness and gentleness of Christ towards the faithful, as he performs the office of a Shepherd: and he prefers to be adorned with this, title, rather than to be called and deemed a kings, or to assume authority to himself. But the Prophet, on the other hand, shows, that the power of Christ would be dreadful to the ungodly and wicked. He shall feed, he says, — with regard to his flock, Christ will put on a character full of gentleness; for nothing, as I have said can imply more kindness than the word shepherd: but as we are on every side surrounded by enemies, the Prophet adds, —
He shall feed in the power of Jehovah and in the majesty of the name of Jehovah; that is as much power as there is in God, so much protection will there be in Christ, whenever it will be necessary to defend and protect the Church against her enemies. Let us hence learn that no less safety is to be expected from Christ, than there is of power in God. Now, since the power of God, as we confess, is immeasurable, and since his omnipotence far surpasses and swallows up all our conceptions, let us hence learn to extend both high and low all our hopes. — Why so? Because we have a King sufficiently powerful, who has undertaken to defend us, and to whose protection the Father has committed us. Since then we have been delivered up to Christ’s care and defense, there is no cause why we should doubt respecting our safety. He is indeed a Shepherd, and for our sake he thus condescended and refused not so mean a name; for in a shepherd there is no pomp nor grandeur. But though Christ, for our sake, put on the character of a Shepherd, and disowns not the office, he is yet endued with infinite power. — How so? Because he governs not the Church after a human manner, but in the majesty of the name of his God (147)
Now, that he subjects Christ to God, he refers to his human nature. Though Christ is God manifested in the flesh, he is yet made subject to God the Father, as our Mediator and the Head of the Church in human nature: he is indeed the middle Person between God and us. This then is the reason why the Prophet now says, that Christ has power, as it were, at the will of another; not that Christ is only man, but as he appears to us in the person of man, he is said to receive power from his Father; and this, as it has been said, with respect to his human nature. There is yet another reason why the Prophet has expressly added this, — that we may know that Christ, as the protector of the Church, cannot be separated from his Father: as then God is God, so Christ is his minister to preserve the Church. In a word, the Prophet means that God is not to be viewed by the faithful, except through the intervening Mediator; and he means also that the Mediator is not to be viewed, except as one who receives supreme power from God himself and who is armed with omnipotence to preserve his people.
He afterwards adds, They shall dwell; for he shall now be magnified to the extremities of the earth He promises a secure habitation to the faithful; for Christ shall be extolled to the utmost regions of the world. We here see that he is promised to foreign nations: for it would have been enough for Christ to exercise his supreme power within the borders of Judea, had only one nation been committed to his safe keeping. But as God the Father intended that he should be the author of salvation to all nations, we hence learn that it was necessary that he should be extolled to the utmost borders of the earth. But with regard to the word dwell, it is explained more fully in the next verse, when the Prophet says—
(147) “The Prophets prefaced their messages with, Thus saith the Lord; but Christ spoke not as a servant, but as a Son, Verily, verily, I say unto you: this was feeding in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; all power was given him in heaven and earth, a power over all flesh, by the virtue of which he still rules in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.” — Henry.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4) He shall stand and feedi.e., He shall stand with the majesty of an assured sovereignty, uniting the dignity of king with the tenderness of a shepherds carea thought which, underlying the notion of a Jewish monarch (see Psa. 78:70-72), becomes a distinguishing attribute of the King Messiah (Isa. 40:2; see also Note on Eze. 34:2).
His God.The Messiah was to be subordinate to the Father in heavenMy Father is greater than Iand theyi.e., His subjectsshall abide. It is impossible to conceive this prophecy as satisfied by any event short of that which is the foundation of the Christian faith.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Mic 5:4. He shall stand and feed Houbigant observes, that the Messiah is said to stand, or continue on earth, in contradistinction to his goings-forth from eternity. This great shepherd is said to feed or rule; (in the LXX is added, his flock) in the majesty of his name, or, in the glorious name of Jehovah his God. This is certainly that great Personage of whom God says, My name is in him. He is to feed his sheep in the majesty of the name of God; or, the glory of God is to be manifested by the great miracles that he is to perform, and the high office that he is to discharge, as the Shepherd, the Mediator, the Lord. It is added, And they shall abide; that is to say, his disciples and followers shall be established, in consequence of his mission and miracles; and now by their ministry shall be great unto the ends of the earth. This was accomplished by the swift and amazing progress which Christianity made in the world. Houbigant very judiciously joins the first clause of the next verse to the end of this; because, says he, those words conclude the prophesy concerning the coming of the Messiah, and the light of the Gospel brought by him, who is the prince of peace. See Isa 9:6.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 1209
STABILITY AND EXTENT OF CHRISTS KINGDOM
Mic 5:4. He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
OF whom the prophet speaks, there can be no doubt. The preceding context indisputably refers to the Lord Jesus Christ [Note: ver. 2. with Mat 2:6 and Joh 7:42.] Till he should come into the world, the kingdoms of Israel and of Judah should never be re-united [Note: ver. 3.]: but after he should have come, and finished his course on earth, he should establish his empire over the whole earth; and unite all, both Jews and Gentiles, in one body, as one fold under one Shepherd. Of this the prophet speaks in our text, even of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ: and he declares,
I.
Its first establishment
[Christ is the Shepherd of Israel. As such, he feeds and rules his people [Note: Mat 2:6. The Greek.]. In his appearance, indeed, he was mean; but he established his kingdom with power. It was announced as at hand by his forerunner, John [Note: Mat 3:2.]: and was declared by himself as already come [Note: Mat 12:28.]. By all his words and actions he shewed himself entitled to establish it [Note: Joh 5:22-29. Mat 25:31-32.]. And at the judgment-seat of Pilate he confessed himself a King [Note: Joh 18:37.]. For this, indeed, he was put to death [Note: Joh 19:3; Joh 19:12-15.]: as the superscription on his cross proclaimed [Note: Joh 19:19.]. On the very cross he acknowledged himself a King, and promised to the dying suppliant a participation of his throne [Note: Luk 23:42.]. Indeed, it was upon the cross that he triumphed over his enemies, and established his kingdom [Note: Col 2:14-15.]. After his resurrection, he gave commission to his disciples to go forth in his name [Note: Mat 28:18-19.]: on the day of Pentecost he subdued multitudes to himself; and from that day he has been enlarging his kingdom in every quarter of the globe. Through the whole of his ministry on earth, he acted with authority, as here foretold; standing and feeding in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.]
From its first establishment, the prophet goes on to speak of,
II.
Its subsequent preservation
[From the first instant that the establishment of Christs kingdom was announced, it was assailed from every quarter. The question asked by the eastern Magi was, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? And instantly was Herods jealousy moved to such a degree, that, to ensure the death of Jesus, he sent forth and slew all the children in Bethlehem and the surrounding country, from two years old and under [Note: Mat 2:2; Mat 2:16.]. From the time that he entered on his ministry, his life was sought; till at last his enemies accomplished their cruel purpose, unwittingly accomplishing, at the same time, the very end for which he came into the world. The same opposition has been made to his kingdom in every age and every place. The history of the Acts of the Apostles is one continued illustration of this fact. But greater was He that was in them, than he that actuated his malignant foes. In different places, indeed, his interests have been subverted, as in the Seven Churches of Asia; but if the candlestick have been taken from one place, it has been sent to another. The Church itself has stood, as a rock in the midst of the ocean, and has defied all the waves that beat upon it. Our blessed Lord said, that it was founded on a rock, and that the gates of hell should never prevail against it [Note: Mat 16:18.]: and this saying of his has been fulfilled: for though, like the burning bush, it has been continually immersed in flames, it never has been, nor ever shall be, consumed by them. It shall abide, as the prophet has said [Note: The Text.]: it shall break in pieces, and consume all other kingdoms; but itself shall stand for ever and ever [Note: Dan 2:44.].]
My text yet further declares,
III.
Its ultimate extension
[Its limits hitherto have been narrow and contracted; but the time is coming when they shall extend to the very ends of the earth. Yes, indeed, He shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very high [Note: Isa 52:13.]. All kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him [Note: Psa 72:11.]. All the kingdoms of the world shall be his [Note: Rev 11:15.];; and under the whole heavens there shall be but one Lord, and his name one [Note: Zec 14:9. See, to the same effect, Psa 2:8; Psa 22:27.] ]
Exhortation
1.
Let the kingdom of our Lord be welcomed by you
[Verily his subjects are happy; for his yoke is easy, and his burthen light. Not so the subjects of sin and Satan. No: they are in sore bondage: for the way of transgressors is hard. Submit ye then, Brethren, to his sceptre: obey his voice; for Gods name is in him [Note: Exo 23:21.]: and know assuredly, that if you still continue to rebel against him, the time is coming when he will say, Bring hither those that were mine enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before me.]
Let his name be dear unto you
[To them that believe, he is precious [Note: 1Pe 2:7.]. And he deserves to be so: for he delivers his subjects from the powers of darkness, and makes them kings like unto himself [Note: Luk 22:29. Rev 1:6; Rev 3:21.]. He will be dear, and his name will be great amongst all nations [Note: Psa 72:17-19.]. O let him be so to you! Receive him into your hearts as your Saviour and Redeemer, yea, and as your Lord and Governor.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
It is very easy to enter into a proper apprehension of what is here meant concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. His person being before proved, we may well suppose the Prophet is speaking of his offices. Feeding, comprehends the whole office of a shepherd; restoring, healing, leading, protecting, and the like. In this sense, Christ’s kingly office, as well as his prophetical, and priestly, are plainly included. And as it takes in the whole of Christ’s character, so it extends to the ends of the earth. Such was indeed, and is, and ever will be the dominion of the Lord Jesus. Psa 72:8-17 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mic 5:4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
Ver. 4. And he shall stand and feed (or rule) in the strength of the Lord] He shall stand, and none shall be able to stir him; there shall be lifting at his government, but it stands firm and fixed. Earthly monarchies have their times and their turns, their ruin as well as their rise. The Roman empire fell under the weight of its own greatness. The Turkish, although it be indeed very strong, yet is it by many probably thought to be on the declining hand. But Christ shall stand when all earthly greatness shall lie in the dust. And he shall feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, neither shall any ravenous lion or grievous wolf pluck them out of his hand, because he and the Father are one, Joh 10:30 , and God hath laid help on one that is mighty, Psa 89:19 .
And in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God
For now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
He: i.e. the Shepherd of Israel. Ref to Pentateuch (Gen 49:24). App-92. Compare Psa 80:1. Jer 31:10. Eze 34:23.
feed = tend, or shepherd (as a flock). Compare Mic 7:14. Isa 40:11; Isa 49:10.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
they. Israel, His flock.
shall abide. In everlasting security.
shall He be great. Compare Psa 22:27; Psa 72:8; Psa 98:1. Isa 49:5, Isa 49:7; Isa 52:13. Zec 9:10. Luk 1:32. Rev 11:15.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
stand: Mic 7:14, Psa 23:1, Psa 23:2, Isa 40:10, Isa 40:11, Isa 49:9, Isa 49:10, Eze 34:22-24, Joh 10:27-30
feed: or, rule, Mat 2:6, *marg.
in the majesty: Exo 23:21, 1Ch 29:11, 1Ch 29:12, Psa 45:3-6, Psa 72:19, Psa 93:1, Psa 145:12, Mat 25:31, Joh 5:22-29, Joh 10:38, Joh 14:9-11, Rev 1:13-18
the Lord: Joh 20:17, Eph 1:3
shall abide: Mat 16:18, 1Pe 1:5, Jud 1:1
shall he be great: Psa 22:27, Psa 72:8, Psa 98:3, Isa 49:5, Isa 52:10, Zec 9:10, Luk 1:32, Rev 11:15
Reciprocal: Num 24:19 – Of Jacob 2Sa 5:2 – feed 2Sa 7:7 – feed 1Ch 11:2 – Thou shalt 1Ch 17:6 – feed Ezr 5:1 – in the name Job 37:22 – with Psa 28:9 – feed Psa 67:7 – all the Son 1:7 – thou feedest Isa 9:6 – The Prince of Peace Isa 24:16 – uttermost part Isa 32:2 – a man Jer 3:15 – And I Jer 23:4 – I Jer 29:11 – thoughts Jer 31:10 – and keep Eze 37:24 – one Oba 1:21 – saviours Zep 3:13 – they Zec 6:13 – and the Zec 9:13 – bent Zec 9:16 – shall save Zec 11:4 – Feed Zec 13:7 – my shepherd Zec 14:9 – the Lord Mal 1:11 – my name Mar 1:28 – General Luk 15:5 – he layeth Joh 10:11 – the good Act 20:28 – to feed Rom 15:12 – and he Heb 1:3 – Majesty Heb 8:1 – the Majesty 1Pe 5:2 – Feed Rev 7:17 – feed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mic 5:4. The antecedent of he is the remnant of the preceding verse, meaning the part of Israel that was to survive the captivity. One meaning of the original for feed is to rule.” which I He remnant of Israel was to do after returning from the captivity. In the strength of the Lord denotes that the leaders in Israel were to rule the flock tinder and with the help of the Lord. They were to do this in the name of the Lord and because of the majesty Of the God of Israel. And they shall abide. The Jewish nation was never again to be removed bodily from its home land as it had been in the captivity.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mic 5:4. And he shall stand and feed Or rule as the word , here rendered feed, often signifies: that is, he shall go on, he shall continue to rule, or feed, his people. Christ shall diligently perform the office of a shepherd, or governor, over his church. In the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord God, or the indwelling Deity, strengthening and exalting his human nature. The expression, the name of the Lord his God, might be intended to signify the Messiahs acting by commission from the Father, in whose name he came, preached, wrought miracles, and instituted his gospel church. And they shall abide His church, made up of converted Jews and Gentiles, shall continue; the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. For now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth Some interpret this as signifying the making the true God known over all the earth: but it seems rather to be intended of the Messiah; for the angel, who foretold his conception to his virgin mother, as is related Luk 1:32-33, seems plainly to allude to this prophecy, saying, He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, &c. And he is dignified with such titles as were never given to any creature, as the apostle proves at large, Heb 1:4-14.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
5:4 And he shall {e} stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
(e) That is, Christ’s kingdom will be stable and everlasting, and his people, the Gentiles as well as the Jews, will dwell in safety.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
This Redeemer will arise and shepherd Yahweh’s flock (Israel) in Yahweh’s strength and majesty in harmony with His character (cf. Mic 2:12; Mic 7:14; Zec 10:3). Contrast the failure of Israel’s leaders in Micah’s day (Mic 3:1-11). The Redeemer will worship Yahweh as His God, another indication of His humanity. In the ancient Near East, kings frequently referred to themselves as the shepherds of their people. [Note: The New Bible Dictionary, 1962 ed., s.v. "Shepherd," by R. A. Stewart.] It is the pastoral role of Israel’s messianic King, leading and caring for His people, that is in view here. The Israelites will remain in their secure and glorious position because He will be so great; His greatness will guarantee His people’s security (cf. Zec 14:11). People throughout the world will acknowledge His greatness (cf. Mal 1:11).