Micah 7:9
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Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
"The wrath of Jehovah shall I bear, for I have sinned against Him, till He shall fight my fight, and secure my right. He will bring me forth to the light; I shall behold His righteousness. Mic 7:10. And may my enemy see it, and shame cover her, who hath said to me, Where is Jehovah thy God? Mine eyes will see it; now will she be for a treading down, like mire of the streets." Confidence in the help of the Lord flows from the consciousness, that the wretchedness and sufferings are a merited punishment for the sins. This consciousness and feeling generate patience and hope: patience to bear the wrath of God manifesting itself in the sufferings; hope that the sufferings, as inflicted by the righteous God, will cease as soon as the divine justice has been satisfied. Za‛aph: lit., the foaming up of wrath (Isa 30:30); hence strong wrath. This the church will bear, till the Lord conducts its conflict and secures its rights. ריבי is the judicial conflict between Israel and the heathen power of the world. Although, for example, God had given up His nation to the power of its enemies, the nations of the world, on account of its sins, so that they accomplished the will of God, by destroying the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and carrying away the people into exile; yet they grew proud of their own might in so doing, and did not recognise themselves as instruments of punishment in the hand of the Lord, but attributed their victories to the power of their own arm, and even aimed at the destruction of Israel, with scornful defiance of the living God (cf. Isa 10:5-15; Hab 1:11). Thus they violated the rights of Israel, so that the Lord was obliged to conduct the contest of His people with the heathen, and secure the rights of Israel by the overthrow of the heathen power of the world. F…
Open source ↗In this chapter, I. The prophet, in the name of the church, sadly laments the woeful decay of religion in the age wherein he lived, and the deluge of impiety and immorality which overwhelmed the nation, which levelled the differences, and bore down the fences, of all that is just and sacred (Mic 7:1-6). II. The prophet, for the sake of the church, prescribes comforts, which may be of use at such a time, and gives counsel what to do. 1. They must have an eye to God (Mic 7:7). 2. They must courageously bear up against the insolences of the enemy (Mic 7:8-10). 3. They must patiently lie down under the rebukes of their God (Mic 7:9). 4. They must expect no other than that the trouble would continue long, and must endeavour to make the best of it (Mic 7:11-13). 5. They must encourage themselves with God's promises, in answer to the prophet's prayers (Mic 7:14, Mic 7:15). 6. They must foresee the fall of their enemies, that now triumphed over them (Mic 7:16, Mic 7:17). 7. They must themselves triumph in the mercy and grace of God, and his faithfulness to his covenant (Mic 7:18-20), and with that comfortable word the prophecy concludes.
Open source ↗7:9 I have sinned: The prophet and other godly people recognize their own failure and culpability, yet trust in the Lord for redemption. • The Lord’s righteousness brings salvation and rescue for his people.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.
May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”
So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.”
Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment.