The Sufferings and Triumph of God's People (Micah 4:9—13)

 Homiletical Commentary 

on the Minor prophets

Israel's history, like human life, has its dark and its bright side. Before the glory promised is ever gained, sorrow and trial must be endured. This is—1. A constant rule; and—2. A necessary order in God's discipline. But the scene of trial was to be the place of deliverance. The sufferings shall be over-ruled for the salvation of his people and the destruction of their enemies. Notice :—

1. The bitterness of the affliction. "Pangs have taken thee," &c. Pangs without remedy, and painful as a woman in travail. 1. The loss of kings."Is there no king in thee?" A visible king was a protection, and a symbol of God's presence to them. The loss was most serious and irreparable. It was a condition of helplessness and shame. 2. The loss of counselors."Is thy counselor perished?" Kings and judges were their counselors and guides; but they were bereft of wisdom to direct, left in the hands of the enemy, and governed by captive nations. 3. The loss of liberties."Now shalt thou go forth out of the city," which shall be captured; "dwell in the field " exposed to danger; and be carried "even to Babylon" into long captivity. This was a sad exchange of liberty and luxury for bondage and misery. But it is the picture of many a soul reduced to slavery, bereft of God and writhing in agony.
2. II. The comforts under the affliction. All is not lost, though they have neither king nor counselor. God will make up for everything. 1. Affliction will end in good. "Jerusalem's pangs are not as dying agonies, but as travailing throes, which after a while will be forgotten for joy that a child is born into the world." Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Ps. 30:6; 73:24: Jer. 10:24). 2. Deliverance will be granted. "There shalt thou be delivered." There, where sorrow is greatest and hope is faintest—even in Babylon, the most unlikely place, "the Lord shall redeem thee." The utmost degree of affliction is often the nearest to the end, and help is not in the holy city, but in the stronghold of the foe. "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." The Red Sea must be the scene of triumph to Israel, and the prison the place of deliverance to Joseph and Peter. This magnifies God's grace and power. "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream." 3. Enemies will be subdued. "Thou shalt beat in pieces many people." In their weakness, God will be their strength, and make them victorious over confederate nations. Their horns shall be iron, to push their enemies; and their hoofs brass, to tread them down. The destruction is universal and complete. All enemies shall be put under their feet, as conquered foes, or willing subjects. "Fear not, thou worm Jacob. Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument, having teeth: thou shalt thresh tho mountains and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff" (Is. 41:13—15).
3. III. The spirit in which they should bear the affliction. If such be their prospects in the trial, how should they demean themselves? 1. They should cherish a patient spirit. "Why dost thou cry out aloud?" Calm fear and hush grief; though affliction be grievous at present, it shall afterward yield the fruits of joy and peace. Patience defeats the menace of the foe, but passion takes his part

"Patience doth conquer by out-suffering all" [Peel].

2. They should cherish a submissive spirit. "Be in pain," &c. Grieve, but remember excessive grief, fretfulness, and rebellion, are unreasonable. Resistance is folly, submission is triumph.

"By not opposing, thou dost ills destroy,

And wear thy conquered sorrows into joy" [Young'].

3. They should cherish a spirit of hope. What a bright prospect opens up before them! Why doubt or despair? God will accomplish his word. Hope will sweeten trial, and, like the sun, paint the rainbow on the clouds. "Black though our side of tho canvas be," said Sir Harry Vane, in going to be executed, "the Divine hand paints a beautiful picture on the unseen side."