Homilist Micah 6:9 The LORD's voice cries to the city, and the man of wisdom shall see your name: hear you the rod, and who has appointed it. I. GOD HAS A VOICE TO CITIES. The city meant here is Jerusalem. He speaks to a city through its — 1. Commerce. 2. Mortality. 3. Churches.The sermons that are preached, the agents that are employed to enlighten the ignorant, to comfort the distressed, reclaim the lost. II. THE WISE IN CITIES RECOGNISE THE VOICE. "The man of wisdom shall see Thy name." "And wisdom has Thy name in its eye" (Delitzsch). "And he who is wise will regard Thy name" (Henderson). The idea seems to be this, that the wise man will recognise God's voice. Job says, "God speaks once, yea twice, and they perceive it not." The crowds that populate cities are deaf to the Divine "voice." The din of passion, the hum of commerce: the chimes of animal pleasures drown the voice of God. But me wise man haS his soul ever in a listening attitude. Like young Samuel, he says, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Abraham heard the voice of God concerning Sodom, Daniel concerning Babylon, Jonah concerning Nineveh, Jeremiah concerning Jerusalem. III. THE JUDGMENT OF CITIES IS IN THAT VOICE. "Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it." The rod is the symbol of judgment. O Assyria, the rod of My anger, the staff in My hand is My indignation." 1. God warns cities. (1) He warns them of ultimate temporal ruin. All cities must go — go with Nineveh, Greece, Babylon, Rome, Jerusalem. (2) He warns them of spiritual danger. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." This is His voice to every citizen. 2. His warning should be attended to. "Hear ye the rod." The only way to escape, is attention. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. |
    |