Micah 5:11

“And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds.] The meaning is, they should not dwell in fortified cities and walled towns; they should have none of these to trust to, nor should they stand in any need of them to defend them, their enemies being subdued; and besides, the Lord would be their strong hold and place of defence, a wall of fire round about them, but the glory in the midst of them, The phrases are expressive of the greatest tranquillity and safety, and of living in an open air, free and undisturbed; (see <380204>Zechariah 2:4,5). The Targum is, “I will cut off the cities of the people out of thy land, and destroy all their strong fortresses;” these…”

“cut off . . . cities . . . strongholds--such as are fortified for war. In that time of peace, men shall live in unwalled villages (Eze 38:11; compare Jer 23:6; Jer 49:31; Zac 2:8).”

“I will cut off the cities of thy land - So God promised by Zechariah, “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls; for I will be unto her a wall of fire round about” Zechariah 2:4-5. The Church shall not need the temptation of human defense; for God shall fence her in on every side. Great cities too, as the abode of luxury and sin, of power and pride, and, mostly, of cruelty, are chiefly denounced as the objects of God’s anger. Babylon stands as the emblem of the whole city of the world or of the devil, as opposed to God. Rup.: “The first city was built by Cain; Abel and the other saints heed no continuing city” Hebrews 13:14 here. Cities then will include (Rup.) “all the tumults…”

“The cities - Cut off the occasion of fortifying their cities, thou shalt need no other defence than what I am to thee. Micah 5:12”

“and throw: Isa 2:12-17; Eze 38:11; Zac 4:6 Micah 5:12”