Matthew Poole and continuators on Micah 5:4

4 ¶ And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD , in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God and they shall abide : for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth .

The Ruler born in Bethlehem, the Messiah, shall stand, sometimes this posture denoteth the ministry of a Servant, but here it speaks the readiness, chearfulness, firmness, and stability, of both the Ruler, his Government, and Kingdom.

As a Shepherd that does diligently watch over, guide, preserve, and feed his sheep, or as Rulers are called Shepherds, Christ is that good Shepherd, Iohn 10.14. and he is the righteous and holy Governour, and his Government shall have no end. Isa. 9.7.

In the assistance which God shall give him, for Christ man was carryed through this great work, redeeming, setting up, establishing his Church by the Power of the Father, who was with him, and upheld him, as was promised Isa. 61.1, 2, 3. All Power in Heaven and Earth was given to Christ our Mediator, who being Eternal God, of equal Power with his Father, doth in his own strength overcome all Enemies, removeth all difficulties, gathereth and governeth his Church, and will do so to the end of the World

Such visible, convincing tokens of a Divine Power and Glory working in him, and with those he sendeth to preach the Gospel, I mean, Apostles, and all managed to the Glory of God.

By Commission from the Lord, in whose Name Christ came, preacht, wrought Miracles, and instituted his Gospel Church.

i. e. God the Father.

His Sheep, his Subjects, his Redeemed Israel, his Church made up of Converted Iews, and Gentiles shall continue, the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them.

The Church is so redeemed, and establisht, that Christ the Messiah might be glorifyed, God will give him a glorious name, therefore these things are disposed in this manner.

Either e're long, or in due time, at the set time.

Messiah.

Whose redeeming Grace shall be publisht to the ends of the Earth, and his Dominion, his Spiritual Kingdom shall be enlarged wide as the World it self. All here spoken in this verse is too great any waies to be applyed to Zirubbabel, as some Iews themselves confess.

Marginal references: Or, rule.