Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. That this chapter contains a prophecy of the glorious times of the Gospel is the general opinion of all Christian interpreters. Some things are foretold in it which have never been accomplished in the times of the Jewish Church. 1. That there shall be a general confluence to the true religion and worship of God. 2. That this great and conspicuous society of the Church shall enjoy peace and tranquillity. 3. That internal zeal and devotion shall accompany all this external glory and happiness. That all these would admirably become the Christian Church cannot be doubted. I. ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLE GENERALLY HAVE SOME GOD AND RELIGION OR OTHER. Atheism is contrary to the common sense of mankind. It will be very hard, if not impossible, to find any nation or people that have lived without a God. II. ALL THOSE NATIONS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE ANY BELIEF OF A GOD, HAVE ALSO SOME DEVOTION, AND PAY SOME REMARKABLE REVERENCE TOWARDS THE DEITY. The nature and notion of God is so great that it cannot ordinarily miss of affecting men with the greatest seriousness. If any man acknowledges the true God, and has ripe notions of Him, he then apprehends a mighty majesty, invested with infinite power, wisdom, justice, and goodness. He that can think of such a God without a religious reverence must have either something below a human folly, or beyond a human hardiness. III. THE GREATER THE GOD, AND THE TRUER THE RELIGION, THE MORE OUGHT TO BE THE DEVOTION. It is most genuine, natural, and reasonable, that the best religion should be attended with the greatest devotion, and the most holy lives. Show — 1. The excellency of our principles, and how much the religion which we profess is better than any other. Represent four things (1) The antiquity of our religion. (2) The credibility and easiness of its belief. (3) The gravity and decency of its rituals. (4) Its efficaciousness to make men generously good and holy. IV. WITH THE MORE ARDENT ZEAL AND DEVOTION WE SHOULD TREAT THE TRUE GOD AND THE TRUE RELIGION. 1. We ought to be more steadfast and unmovable in our religion than other people are. 2. We ought to outstrip them in good life, in zeal and fervency, as much as we do in our principles and advantages. (J. Goodman, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. |
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