Post by Lee on Dec 5, 2014 3:49:39 GMT
The Breaker is evidently a name for the Messiah, and is so recognised by the Jews. He is the stone cut out of the Mountain without hands which will break in pieces the gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay of the image of the kingdoms of men, which have oppressed Israel (Dan. 2.), the stone to which he himself referred when he said, “Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Matt. 21:44).
It is worthy of notice that this reference to a stone is found in the very chapter of Isaiah which foretold the invasion alluded to by Micah. True, in the former case, as in the application made by Jesus himself as already quoted, the breaking relates to “many” of both houses of Israel, whereas in Micah it is more natural to apply it to the Gentiles; but the facts, as realised by all who are acquainted with the truth, include both—for both Jew and Gentile have proved, and will prove, obnoxious to judgment for their attitude to the “Shepherd and Stone of Israel.”
This passage in Micah has been applied to the restoration from Babylon. It needs but little care in Bible interpretation to see that such an application falls far short of the clear teaching of the prophecy. No doubt it received an earnest of its fulfilment then, but it is very evident that the return from Babylon did not furnish the accomplishment of the prophecy. One feature was entirely wanting—“their King shall pass on before them.” No king returned from the Babylonian captivity. It therefore remains for the realisation of the hope of Israel, when the “Breaker” shall appear as Israel’s deliverer and Israel’s king
1907 Christadelphian, 44(electronic ed.), p6.
It is worthy of notice that this reference to a stone is found in the very chapter of Isaiah which foretold the invasion alluded to by Micah. True, in the former case, as in the application made by Jesus himself as already quoted, the breaking relates to “many” of both houses of Israel, whereas in Micah it is more natural to apply it to the Gentiles; but the facts, as realised by all who are acquainted with the truth, include both—for both Jew and Gentile have proved, and will prove, obnoxious to judgment for their attitude to the “Shepherd and Stone of Israel.”
This passage in Micah has been applied to the restoration from Babylon. It needs but little care in Bible interpretation to see that such an application falls far short of the clear teaching of the prophecy. No doubt it received an earnest of its fulfilment then, but it is very evident that the return from Babylon did not furnish the accomplishment of the prophecy. One feature was entirely wanting—“their King shall pass on before them.” No king returned from the Babylonian captivity. It therefore remains for the realisation of the hope of Israel, when the “Breaker” shall appear as Israel’s deliverer and Israel’s king
1907 Christadelphian, 44(electronic ed.), p6.