CHAP. IV. V. 1-3. The cattle of Bashan were remarkable for their size, fatness, and wantonness; and the wealthy, luxurious, and
It is lamentable to consider, how often pecu-profligate rulers and nobles of Samaria seem
liar advantages only serve to increase the guilt and punishment of their possessors: we should therefore take heed not to presume on external privileges, without sanctifying grace rendering them effectual to our souls. The proud, the sensual, the covetous, the unmerciful and deceitful, cannot enjoy communion with a holy God: he can have no pleasure in them, nor they in him.
And as all our happiness must arise from his love and from walking with him; we should be the more earnest in seeking conformity to his Image, as connected with reconciliation to him through Jesus Christ.--Let none suppose, that the threatenings of God's word were intended merely to frighten them, or that he has no ground for the severity which is denounced, or that he does not intend to execute it.
Impenitent sinners are the prey against which he utters his tremendous voice; and not one of them will escape his righteous vengeance Their present troubles spring from his anger, and will either end in their repentance, or destruction. Surely then, sinners should take warning, and escape for their lives: and we all ought to "submit to God's righteousness," in the evil
to have been intended; though some interpret it of the haughty matrons. ( Marg . Ref . a, b. Notes . Ps . 22:11-13. Ez . 39:17-20.) But the princes might be described as kine , rather than bulls , to reprove their effeminacy and cowardice when assaulted by their enemies; while they crushed and trampled upon their unresisting brethren, and sold them for slaves; saying to the masters, who bought them, "Bring us wine that we may drink." Having made the iniquitous bargain, perhaps on low terms, they required from the purchaser, in this slave trade , to be treated with wine. ( Marg .
Ref . c -e.-- Notes , 2:6--8. Joel 3:3--8, v. 3. Mic. 3:14.) But the Lord had sworn by his own holiness, that they and their posterity should be dragged out of their habitations, as helpless fishes are drawn by the hook out of the water to be destroyed. ( Marg . Ref . f, g.-- Notes , Jer. 16:16. Ez . 29:2--5.
Hab . 1:12--17, υυ . 14--17.) The wall of Samaria would be broken down by the besiegers: then every one of these oppressors would endeavor to escape by that breach, which was nearest to his station; they would cast away the treasures which they had hoarded in their palaces; or they would throw
Come to Beth-el and transgress;
8 So two or three cities wandered unto * at Gilgal multiply transgression; and one city, to drink water, but they were not bring your sacrifices every morning, and satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto
your tithes after * three years:
me, saith the LORD.
9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your
5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free-offerings: P for this liketh vineyards, and your fig-trees and your you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord olive-trees increased, the palmer-worm GOD. devoured them ; d yet have ye not returned 6 And I also have given you clean-unto me, saith the LORD. ness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, have made & the stink of your camps tc come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye
7 And also I have withholden the rain and have taken away your horses; and i from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: " and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon an-not returned unto me, saith the Lord. other city: one piece was rained upon,
and the piece whereupon it rained not
1 Num. 28:3,4.
m Deut. 14:28,29. 26:12.
* Heb. three years of days.
† Heb. offer by burning .
n Lev. 7:12,13. 23:17.
o Lev. 22:18-21. Deut. 12:6, 7. Matt. 6:2.
p Ps. 81:12. Matt. 15:9,13,14. Rom. 1:28. 2 Thes. 2:10-12. Heb. so ye love. Hos. 9:1,10. q Lev. 26:26. Deut. 28:38. 1 Kings 17:1. 18:2. 2 Kings 4: 38.6:25-29, 8:1.
See on 8,9.-2 Chr. 28:22. Is. 9:13. 26:11. Jer. 5:3. 8:5-7. Hos. 5:15. 6:1. 7:14-16. Joel 2:12-14. Hag. 2:17. Zech. 1:3-6. Rev. 2:21. 9:20,21. 16:10,11.
s Lev. 26:18-21,23,24,27,28. Deut. 28:23,24. 1 Kings 8: 35,36. 2 Chr. 7:13,14. Is. 5: 6. Jer. 3:3. 5:24,25, 14:4,22. Hag. 1:10,11. Zech. 14:17. Jam. 5:17. Rev. 11:6.
11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah; and ye were k as a fire-brand plucked out of the y 1 Kings 18:5. Is 41:17,18. Jer. 14:3.
z Ez. 4:16. Mic. 6:14. Hag. 1:6.
a See on 6,9-11.-Jer. 23:14. Hos. 7:10.
b Deut. 23:22. 1 Kings 8:37. 2 Chr. 6:28. Hag. 2:17.
22,27,60. Ps. 78:49,50. || Or, in the way.
f Lev. 26:25. 2 Kings 8:12. 10. 32. Jer. 6:11. 11:22, 18:21. 48: 15.
Heb. with the captivity of your horses. 2 Kings 13:3-7. g 8:3. Deut. 28:26. Jer. 8:1,2 9:22. 15:3. 16:4. Joel 2:20.
Or, the multitude of your gardens, &c. did the palmer-h See on 6.-Ex. 8:19. 9:12,17, worm , & -c .
c 7:1,2. Deut. 28:42. Joel 1:4. 2:25.
t Joel 2:23. John 4:35. u Ex. 8:22. 9:4,26. 10:23. Judg. d See on 6,8. Job 36:8-13. Is.
6:37-40. 1 Cor. 4:7.
x See on Joel 1:10-18.
1:5. 42:24,25.
e Ex. 9:3-6. 12:29,30. 15:26. Lev. 26:16,25. Deut. 7:15. 28:
34,35. 10:3,27. 14:4.
i Gen. 19:24,25, Is. 13:19. Jer. 49:18. Hos. 11:8. 2 Pet. 2:6, Jude 7.
k Zech. 3:2. 1 Cor. 3:15. Jude 23.
'was called the latter rain, and the season for it was the first month, which was three 'months before the wheat-harvest. ( Joel 2:23.) Lowth .
One city, &c.] 'This may import, that God 'punished Israel with drought, at the same
them down there, that they might be the more unencumbered in fleeing from the enemy: and yet they would not be able to escape. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . h.--Notes, 2 Kings 7:6--9. Is . 2.19-21. Matt . 16:24-28, v . 26. Phil . 3:8-11.) V. 4, 5. This is an ironical or sarcastical address to the idolatrous Israelites. Let them 'time when he sent rain upon the cities of Jugo to Beth-el or Gilgal, and multiply trans- 'dah; making that remarkable difference begressions. ( Marg . Ref . i, k.-- Notes , 5:4-6. 'tween Israel and Judah, which he did former Ez . 20:39. Hos . 4:15. 9:15--17. 12:10,11.) Let 'ly between Egypt and Goshen.' Lowth . It is
them offer daily oblations to their idols, and employ in their service the second tithes, which every third year ought to have been consumed in religious feasting, with their priests, Levites, and poor brethren; ( Marg .-Notes, Deut . 14:22-29. 26:12-15.) and let them openly present their peace-offerings and free will-offerings to their golden calves, proclaiming the sacrifices and inviting guests, in imitation of the worship paid to God at Jerusalem: for this conduct would be agreeable to their inclinations, and consistent with their character.-( Marg . and Marg.
Ref . n--p.) "Burn a thank-offering of leaven;" in con'tempt of the law. ( Lev . 7:12,13.) Bp. Newcombe. (Notes, Lev. 2:11. 7:12--14.)-Your 'hearts are so set upon your idolatrous wor'ship, that it is in vain to use any arguments 'to persuade you to the contrary. ( Ps . 81:12.)' Lowth.--'He speaketh this in contempt of 'them who resorted to these places; thinking 'that great devotion, and good intention, had 'been sufficient to have bound God unto 'them.'
V. 6. "Cleanness of teeth" from want of food . (Marg. Ref . q.)- Yet have , &c.] 'The famine 'that I have sent hath not brought you to a 'sense of your sins, or any sincere purposes of 'amendment.' Lowth.
V. 7. I have withholden the rain, &c.] 'This
V. 9. (Notes, Joel 1:4--12. 2:1-20.) These visitations were suited to convince the Israelites of their sin and folly, and to bring them to "repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance:" but, not having this effect, they eventually hastened the ruin of the nation. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . - Hag . 2:15--19, v. 17.)
V. 10. In consequence of famine, drought, and locusts, dreadful pestilences prevailed in the land; like those with which God had visited the Egyptians, especially when the firstborn were destroyed: and in this enfeebled state, the people were harassed by the incursions of the Assyrians and other enemies, who slew their chosen young men, and seized on those horses, which, at great expense, had been procured from Egypt for their cavalry. Being thus obliged to keep their armies encamped, when pestilence raged, and many were slaughtered, and perhaps left unburied through the distress of the survivors; their camps became exceedingly offensive, and this greatly augmented the dire and complicated calamities, with which they were visited.
EAR ye this word which I take up lamentation, O house of Israel.
Hagi, werd w
13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the * wind, and de- 2 The virgin of Israel dis fallen; e she
clareth unto man what is his thought, that shall no more rise; she is forsaken upon maketh the morning darkness, and tread- her land: there is none to raise her up. eth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, the God of hosts, is his name.
3 For thus saith the Lord GoD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave
*1 See on 6.-Jer. 6:28-30. Ez. p Ps. 135:7. 147:18. Jer. 10:13. an hundred, and that which went forth by
22:17-22. 24:15. Rev. 9:20. m See on 2,3. 2:14,15. 9:1-4.
n. 5:4-15. Is. 47:3. Ez. 13:5. Hos. 13:8. Matt. 5:25. 24:44 -51.25:1-13. Mark 13:3237. Luke 14:31,32. 21:34-36. 1 Thes. 5:2-4. Jam. 4:8-10. Rev. 3:3.
51:16.
* Or, spirit. John 3:8. q Ps. 139:2. Dan. 2:28. Matt. 9:4. Luke 7:39,40. John 2:25. r 5:8. 8-9. Ex. 10:22. 14:20. Is. 5:30. Jer. 13:16.
s Deut. 32:13. 33:29. Mic. 1:3. Hab. 3:19.
Job 33:4-11. Ps. 65:6. Is. t 3:13. 5:8. 6:8. 9:6. Is. 47:4. 40:12. Zech. 12:1. 48:2. Jer. 10:16. 51:19.
( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , Ex . 9:6. 12:29, 30. 15:25,26.)
V. 11. ( Marg . Ref .--Note, Gen. 19:24,25.) Perhaps this judgment was the effect of the earthquake, before mentioned, (1:1.) 'You 'were almost all consumed, and a few of you 'wonderfully preserved.' (Note, Zech. 3:1--4, v. 2.)
V. 12, 13. As the Israelites persisted in impenitent rebellion and idolatry, notwithstanding all these warnings, judgments, and respites; the Lord was determined to do thus unto them: that is, to bring upon them the calamities which had before been predicted. ( Note , 3:9 --15.) He warned them therefore "to prepare to meet their God," as their offended Judge and Adversary, who was about to denounce sentence, and to execute righteous vengeance upon them by the Assyrian armies. They would then have to contend with the Creator of the mountains, the sovereign Disposer of winds and storms, the heart-searching omniscient Judge, who sheweth to every man even his secret thoughts; the Arbiter of every man's
multiply and aggravate their transgressions! whose diligence, expense, and superstitious devotion, ripen them for destruction; and whose confidence and self-satisfaction in antiscriptural observances, prove that they are given over to "a strong delusion to believe a lie!" Let us then compare our sentiments, conduct, and worship, with the standard of holy scripture; and pray continually to be guided into the way of peace and holiness.To what diversified miseries has sin exposed us, even in this world!
But let us remember, that this is a state of probation and discipline; and that afflictions are employed as rebukes, corrections, and warnings, and should be thus improved. For they tend to shew the evil of sin, the power of divine wrath, the vanity of this world, the danger of continuing impenitent, and our need of the mercy, grace, and comfort of the Gospel. But when famine and pinching hunger and thirst, when impoverishing dispensations, when wasting pestilences and wars, when earthquakes and conflagrations, when urgent distresses, affecting exam
prosperity or adversity, who turneth the morn-ples in the case of others, and marvellous es
ing of hopeful success into the darkness of misery and despair; and the omnipotent Lord, who is able to tread down the stoutest of the great ones of the earth, and to "put all enemies under his feet." He was coming against Israel as an Adversary: but if any desired to escape his vengeance, it behoved them to submit, and humble themselves before him. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes, 5:7-9,18-20. Deut . 33:29. Ps . 139:2. Is . 5:26-30, v . 30. 8:21, 22. 40:12-17. Dan . 2:27—30, v . 28. Matt . 5:25, 26. 24:45-51.2 Pet . 3:10-16.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
The luxurious and cruel oppressors of the poor are often as destitute of manly courage as of compassion; and their wanton tyranny over their helpless inferiors, is attended with as abject a servility towards their powerful opposers.-Careless and prosperous sinners will soon be entangled in their own devices, or by the judgments of God, as in a net; and they will be disappointed in all their efforts to escape deserved vengeance.-How miserable are ngeance.-Ho they, whose religion, the result of their corrupt reasonings and inclinations, serves only to
capes in their own, do not lead men "to repeut, and turn to God, and to do works meet for repentance;" they manifest the hardness, depravity, and enmity of their hearts, and so display the justice of God in their final condemnation.
Ere long we must meet our God in judgment: but we shall never be able to stand before him, if he be severe in marking our iniquities: we cannot deny or excuse our crimes; we cannot withstand, escape, or endure his righteous vengeance: for what can a poor worm do, who has to contend with the omnipotent, omniscient, and everlasting Creator and Sovereign of the universe?
If we would "prepare to meet our God" with comfort, at that awful period; we must now meet him in Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, who came down from heaven, to bleed and die in our nature, to save lost sinners: we must meet him upon a mercy-seat, by faith and prayer: we must "seek him whilst he may be found, and call upon him whilst he is near;" that so his "saving grace may teach and enable us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world:" and then "we shall have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of || Israel.
4 For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, kand ye shall live:
5 But seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to m Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought.
6 Seek the Lord, and ye shall live: lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it , and there be none to quench it , in Beth-el.
7 Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,
i 6. Deut. 30:1-8. 1 Chr. 28: 9. 2 Chr. 15:2. 20:3. 34:3. Ps. 14:2. 27:8. Is. 55:6.7. Jer. 29: 12,13. Lam. 3:25,26. Zeph. 2: 3. Matt. 7:8.
k Ps. 22:26. 69:32. 105:3,4. Is. 55:3.
1 4:4. Hos. 4:15. 9:15. 10:14, 15. 12:11.
m 8:14. Gen. 21:33.
n 7:17. Lev. 26:30-32. Deut. 28:41. Hos. 4:15. 10:15.
Job 8:22. Ps. 33:10. Is. 8:10. 29:20. 1 Cor. 1:28. 2:6. Rev.
18:17.
p 4. Ez. 33:11.
q Ex. 22:6.
r6:6. Gen. 48:8-20. Josh. 18: 5. Judg. 1:22,23. 2 Sam. 19: 20. 1 Kings 11:28. Ez. 37:19. Zech. 10:6.
s Is. 1:31. Jer. 4:4. 7:20. Ez. 20:47,48. Mark 9:43-48.
t 11,12. 6:12. Deut. 29:18. Is. 1:23. 5:7. 10:1.59:13,14. Hos. 10:4. Hab. 1:12-14.
u Ps. 36:3. 125:5. Ez. 3:20. 18: 24. 33:12,13,18. Zeph. 1:6.
NOTES.