Matthew Poole and continuators on Micah 2:7

7 ¶ O thou that art named the house of Jacob : is the spirit of the LORD straitned u? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly ?

You are in name, not in truth, you call your selves, and wou[illegible: 1 letter]d be called by others the seed and posterity of Iacob.

You glory in Iacob, whom God blessed, guided, and preserved, and you think he should so bless you, but you nothing think how Iacob teared, obeyed, and worshipped God, you are not honest, plain hearted, and upright with God as he.

The Power, Goodness, Wisdom, and Kindness of God is not less now then formerly, he is as merciful to design good, as gracious to promise, as great and good to perform his word, but the reason he doth not promise Good to you, but threatens punishment upon you by his Prophets is all from your selves, 'tis for your sins, you do the things that must be discountenanced, and if you would hear better things by the Prophets, you must do better, you must do what God requires by them.

Are these severer proceedings against you, the doings your God delighteth in? Doth he choose to take this way? Doth not mercy better please him? He would be more pleased to speak comfortably to you, do you as Iacob did, and God will deal with you as he did with him.

My words promise all Good, and my Prophets declare Good to those that are indeed the house of Iacob. All the wayes of God are in an even tenor, mercy and truth to such as keep his Covenant, and Testimonies to do them, as Psal. 25.10.

That with honest hearts walk in the wayes of God, but froward sinners, and dissembling Hypocrites cannot with reason expect the same usage from God, who will give peace, and shew mercy to Israel, whilest the workers of iniquity are led out to punishment, this whole verse is excellently cleared by the Prophet Isaiah. 59.1, 2, 3, &c.

Marginal references: Or, shortned.; Heb. upright.