The prophet answers the interdict of the speakers in the preceding verse by showing that God's attributes are unchanged, but that the sins of the people constrain him to punish. O thou that art named the house of Jacob.
Other renderings of these words are given, viz. "Ah! what a saying!" or, "Is this a thing to be said, O house of Jacob?" The versions of the LXX; ὀ λέγων οἶκος ἰακὼβ κ. τ. λ; and of the Vulgate, Dicit domus Jacob, do not suit the Hebrew.
If we adopt the rendering of the Authorized Version, we must consider that Micah addresses those who gloried in their privilege as the family of Jacob, though they had ceased to be what he was, believing and obedient.
"O ye who are only in name and title the chosen nation" (comp. Isaiah 48:1; John 8:33, John 8:39). Professor Driver obtains the very suitable meaning, Num dicendum, "Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the ear of the Lord shortened?"
etc; by the change of a vowel point. Somewhat similarly Orelli, "Is this the speech of the house of Jacob?" viz.—Should Jehovah be impatient? or were these his doings? The following clause is Jehovah's answer to the objection.
Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened? or, shortened. Is he less long suffering than Jehovah of heretofore? Will you accuse Jehovah of impatience? "Shortness" of spirit is opposed to longanimity (see Proverbs 14:29).
Are these his doings? Are these judgments and chastisements his usual doings that which he delights in? Is the cause of them in him? Is it not in you (Lamentations 3:33; Ezekiel 33:11; Micah 7:18)? Do not my words do good, etc.?
This may be Jehovah's answer to the previous questions, or Micah's refutation of the complaint. The Lord's word is good, his action is a blessing, but only to him who does his commandments (Psalms 18:25, Psalms 18:26; Psalms 25:10; Psalms 103:17, etc.
; Luke 1:50).