Micah 7:14

“Feed thy people with thy rod, etc.] These are either the words of God the Father to Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, calling upon him to do his office as such; to feed the people he had given him, the sheep of his hand, the flock of his pasture, by his Spirit, and with his word and ordinances; (see <381105>Zechariah 11:5); or of Christ to his ministers, his undershepherds, to feed his sheep and his lambs, the people committed to their care and charge, with wholesome words, with sound and good doctrine, by faithfully preaching the Gospel, and administering the ordinances to them: or rather the words of the prophet, a prayer of his to God or Christ, to take care of the people of God in…”

“Feed thy people--Prayer of the prophet, in the name of his people to God, which, as God fulfils believing prayer, is prophetical of what God would do. When God is about to deliver His people, He stirs up their friends to pray for them. Feed--including the idea of both pastoral rule and care over His people (Mic 5:4, Margin), regarded as a flock (Psa 80:1; Psa 100:3). Our calamity must be fatal to the nation, unless Thou of Thy unmerited grace, remembering Thy covenant with "Thine heritage" (Deu 4:20; Deu 7:6; Deu 32:9), shalt restore us. thy rod--the shepherd's rod, wherewith He directs the flock (Psa 23:4). No longer the rod of punishment (Mic 6:9). which dwell solitarily in the wood, in .…”

“Feed Thy people with Thy rod - The day of final deliverance was still a great way off. There was a weary interval before them of chastisement, suffering, captivity. So Micah lays down his pastoral office by committing his people to Him who was their true and abiding Shepherd. who that has had the pastoral office, has not thought, as the night drew near in which no man can work, “what will be after him?” Micah knew and foretold the outline. It was for his people a passing through the valley of the shadow of death. Micah then commits them to Him, who had Himself committed them to him, who alone could guide them through it. It is a touching parting with his people; a last guidance of those whom…”

“Feed - So Christ directs his officers. With thy rod - In allusion to the custom of shepherds who guided their sheep by a pastoral staff. In the wood - Protect and guide those that in their present captive state are solitary, compassed with dangers. Carmel - A fruitful place and well inhabited. In Bashan - A place of note for fruitfulness. Gilead - Equal with any of the other for plenty and safety. Micah 7:16”

“7:14-20 The Lord promised to completely renew Israel, his special possession (see Exod 19:5; Mal 3:17). Judgment would not mean the destruction of hope, but a cleansing so that true hope could prevail. The restoration would be God’s work alone as he restored the remnant of his special people and removed their guilt by his love, compassion, and faithfulness (see Exod 32:12-14). 7:14 • With a shepherd’s staff, an ancient Near Eastern shepherd could defend his sheep from wild beasts. Likewise, the prophet prayed that God would protect his people from hostile Gentile nations (cp. Exod 4:1-5). • special possession: Cp. Exod 19:5; Deut 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Mal 3:17; 1 Pet 2:9. • Bashan and Gilead,…”

“Feed: or, Rule, Mic 5:4 \*marg. Psa 23:1-4, Psa 28:9, Psa 95:7, Psa 100:3; Isa 40:11, Isa 49:10; Mat 2:6 \*marg. Joh 10:27-30 which: Exo 33:16; Num 23:9; Deu 33:28; Joh 17:16 in the midst: Isa 35:2, Isa 37:24, Isa 65:10; Jer 50:19, Jer 50:20; Eze 34:13, Eze 34:14; Zep 3:13 as: Psa 77:5-11, Psa 143:5; Lam 1:7, Lam 5:21; Amo 9:11; Mal 3:4 Micah 7:15”

“The promise of salvation impels the congregation to pray that it may be granted ( Mic 7:14); whereupon the Lord assures it that His covenant mercies shall be renewed, and promises the thorough humiliation of the hostile nations of the world ( Mic 7:15-17). Mic 7:14. "Feed thy people with thy staff, the sheep of thine inheritance, dwelling apart, in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of the olden time." The question in dispute among commentators, whether this prayer is addressed to the Lord by the prophet on behalf of the nation, or whether the prophet is still speaking in the name of the believing church, is decided in favour of the latter by…”