What came in verses [Verse 1-3] almost conforms to what came in the book of [Isa 2:3-4]; and as the two of them were contemporaries, although Isaiah was older than Micah, some assume that the latter quoted from the former. Other scholars, however, believe that both of them quoted from a third source, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God.
The expression “in the last days” has been used by the prophets to refer to the Messianic era [Hos 3:5].
• The prophet [Isa 2:2] prophesies a glorified and a more extensive appearance, which includes, beside the demolition of idols, the enjoyment by the house of the Lord of the ecumenical status fitting for it. By the mountains and hills, he means not only the wiping out of the errors that dwelt on all through the coming of our Savior when the deceit of idols was exposed, but also the proclamation of the beauty of the truth by which we see the realization of the prophecy. Moreover, by saying: “In the last days” he means: “The days that follow the coming of the Lord (1).
Theodoret of Cyrus
Several fathers of the Church, including St. Cyril the Great (2), St. John Chrysostom, and Eusebius of Caesarea (3), believe that that glorified generation refers to the Church of the New Testament.
The same thing is said by the apostle Paul: “When the fullness of the time had come” [Gal 4:4]; and by Isaiah: “In the latter days” or “In the days to come” [Isa 2:2], referring to the Church and its teachings, well established like a mountain... The amazing thing about the Church is not that it is victorious, but is the way it became as such; despite the fact that it is persecuted, outcast and torn apart in thousands of ways, it did not diminish, but it even became greater. By bearing its passions, it destroys those who strike her, like the diamond struck by iron that exhausts its striker. Portraying it like a mountain means its strength, exaltation, and holding fast.
“And people shall flow to it” Notice here how the prophet not only proclaims the call directed to the nations, but also their yearning to respond to this call. He does not say ‘they shall be made to flow,’ but “they shall flow“ (4).
St. John Chrysostom
• Is not all humanity ‘one flock’ to God? Is not God Himself the Lord and Shepherd of all nations (5)?
Tertullian
The Church rises up to the top of the mountains, namely it reaches up to the highest of heavens, where its heavenly nature unites with the heavenly Head and exalts above the hills beyond all the earthly measures and human thoughts, exalts above all human philosophies, cultures and arts, not being made by human hand, but by the hands of the mighty God Himself.
“And people shall flow to it” This does not apply to the Jewish temple, that was shut to the nations; whereas, as far as the Church is concerned, and since the time it has set forth, the Lord Christ told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations” [Matt 28:19].
Some fathers believe that “the Mountain of the Lord’s house” is the Lord Christ Himself, who holds fast on the top of the mountains, namely over all prophets. This Mountain is the rock, on which the Church of the New Testament is established.
• The prophet Micah presents Christ under the symbol of a great Mountain, saying: “It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house...” [Mic 4:2-3] (6).
The expression “in the last days” has been used by the prophets to refer to the Messianic era [Hos 3:5].
• The prophet [Isa 2:2] prophesies a glorified and a more extensive appearance, which includes, beside the demolition of idols, the enjoyment by the house of the Lord of the ecumenical status fitting for it. By the mountains and hills, he means not only the wiping out of the errors that dwelt on all through the coming of our Savior when the deceit of idols was exposed, but also the proclamation of the beauty of the truth by which we see the realization of the prophecy. Moreover, by saying: “In the last days” he means: “The days that follow the coming of the Lord (1).
Theodoret of Cyrus
Several fathers of the Church, including St. Cyril the Great (2), St. John Chrysostom, and Eusebius of Caesarea (3), believe that that glorified generation refers to the Church of the New Testament.
The same thing is said by the apostle Paul: “When the fullness of the time had come” [Gal 4:4]; and by Isaiah: “In the latter days” or “In the days to come” [Isa 2:2], referring to the Church and its teachings, well established like a mountain... The amazing thing about the Church is not that it is victorious, but is the way it became as such; despite the fact that it is persecuted, outcast and torn apart in thousands of ways, it did not diminish, but it even became greater. By bearing its passions, it destroys those who strike her, like the diamond struck by iron that exhausts its striker. Portraying it like a mountain means its strength, exaltation, and holding fast.
“And people shall flow to it” Notice here how the prophet not only proclaims the call directed to the nations, but also their yearning to respond to this call. He does not say ‘they shall be made to flow,’ but “they shall flow“ (4).
St. John Chrysostom
• Is not all humanity ‘one flock’ to God? Is not God Himself the Lord and Shepherd of all nations (5)?
Tertullian
The Church rises up to the top of the mountains, namely it reaches up to the highest of heavens, where its heavenly nature unites with the heavenly Head and exalts above the hills beyond all the earthly measures and human thoughts, exalts above all human philosophies, cultures and arts, not being made by human hand, but by the hands of the mighty God Himself.
“And people shall flow to it” This does not apply to the Jewish temple, that was shut to the nations; whereas, as far as the Church is concerned, and since the time it has set forth, the Lord Christ told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations” [Matt 28:19].
Some fathers believe that “the Mountain of the Lord’s house” is the Lord Christ Himself, who holds fast on the top of the mountains, namely over all prophets. This Mountain is the rock, on which the Church of the New Testament is established.
• The prophet Micah presents Christ under the symbol of a great Mountain, saying: “It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house...” [Mic 4:2-3] (6).
Footnote
(1) Theodoret of Cyrus, Commentary on [Isa 2:2].
(2) PG 70:68D.
(3) PG 16:3.
(4) Commentary on [Isa 2:2].
(5) Tertullian: On Modesty
(6) St. Augustine: City of God 18:30.
 | Author: Tadros Yacoub Malaty Rank: Monk Posted on: 2023-02-21 Source: Title: The book of Micah Year (original): 2005 Author: Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty Translation: DR. GEORGE BOTROS |
For Micah announced that the new law would be given in this way: “The law shall go forth out of Zion, and the word of the Lord out of Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and he shall vanquish and rebuke nations.” For that prior law that was given through Moses was given not on Mount Zion but on Mount Horeb. And the Sibyl showed that this would be destroyed by the Son of God. “But when all these things have been fulfilled which he spoke, at that time then the whole law is destroyed.”
 | Author: Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius AD: 320 |
When the prophetic Spirit speaks as prophesying things to come, he says, “For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, and he shall judge in the midst of the nations and rebuke many people. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn to war anymore.” We can show you that this has really happened. For a band of twelve men went forth from Jerusalem, and they were common men, not trained in speaking. But by the power of God they testified to every race of humankind that they were sent by Christ to teach to all the Word of God. And now we who once killed each other not only do not make war on each other, but in order not to lie or deceive our inquisitors we gladly die for the confession of Christ. For it would be possible for us to follow the saying, “The tongue has sworn, the mind remains unsworn.” But it would be ridiculous if the soldiers whom you have recruited and enrolled remain loyal to you instead of to their own life, parents, native land and all their families. For you have nothing incorruptible to offer those who desire incorruption. Rather, endure all things in order to receive what we long for from him who is able to give it.
| Author: Justin Martyr AD: 165 |
The prophet Micah employed the symbol of a high mountain to speak of the gathering of the nations in Christ. He has this to say: “And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared in the top of the mountains and high above the hills; and people shall flow to it. And many nations shall come in haste, and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth out of Zion, and the word of the Lord out of Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people and rebuke strong nations afar off.’ ” Further, the same prophet foretold even the place in which Christ was to be born: “But you, O Bethlehem Eph’rathah, who are little among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days.”
 | Author: Augustine of Hippo Rank: Bishop AD: 430 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
