Matthew Poole and continuators on Micah 5:8

8 ¶ And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles, in the midst of many people , as a lyon amongst the beasts of the forrest, as a young lyon among the flocks of sheep , who if he go through, both treadeth down , and teareth in pieces , and none can deliver .

Vid. verse 7. let. i. Who are enemies, that do injure them.

For strength and courage, which the beasts of the Forrest dare not oppose, and cannot resist, so should this remnant, much like that Lev. 26.8.

A second allusion of the same import, but yet with some greater Emphasis, in the former comparison, the greater Cattle called Behemoth, in this Sheep much lesser and weaker Cattle are compared with the Lyon and young Lyon.

Overbeareth, and throws down by his strength and treads under foot with as much ease as a man would tread on worms, or tread down straw for the Dunghil.

To devour▪ satisfie his hunger, and repair his strength for a new assault on his prey.

That dares attempt a rescue, but the prey is left under the Lyons paw, to satisfie the hungry beast, so shall Israel be after their return out of Captivity, and while they keep the wayes of the Lord, so they were in Esther's time against such as would have destroyed them, so in the Maccabees time, when they subdued the Nations about them. But the Conquering power of the Word, the Rod of Christ's strength, doth greater wonders than the sword of the Maccabees ever did. It is the mighty conquering Power of the Gospel that is here shadowed forth to us.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word], goats.