CHAP. VII.
Predictions that the desolations of Israel will immediately take
place, 1-15. The penitent mourning and distress of them
that escape, 16-19. The sanctuary given up to be defiled, for the abominations there committed, 20-22.
end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.
3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and dwill judge thee according to thy ways, and will *recompense upon thee all thine abominations.
4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee; & and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
OREOVER the word of the LORD an came unto me, saying,
2 Also, thou son of man, thus saith the
c 20:28. 1 Kings 14:23. 2 Kings 16.4. Is. 1:29. 57:5-7.65:3,4. 66:17. Jer, 2:20. 3:6. Hos. 4: 13.
d 16:27. 20:33,34. Is. 5:25. 9: 12,17,21, 10:4. 26:11.
* Or, desolate from the wilder
ness.
e Num. 33:46. Almon-dibla lathaim .
5 Thus saith the Lord God; h An evil, only evil, behold, is come.
a 12:22, 21:2. 40:2, 2 Chr. 34:7.
b 3,5,6. 11:13. Gen. 6:13. Deut. 32:20. Jer. 5:31. 51:13. Lam. 4:18. Am. 8:2,10. Matt. 24:6, 13,14. 1 Pet. 4:7.
c 8,9. 5:13. 6:3-7,12,13,
* Heb. give.
e 9. 5:11. 8:18. 9:10. 24:14. Jer. 13:14. Zech. 11:6.
f 11:21. 16:43. 22:31. 23:49. Jer. 16:18. 25:14. Hos. 9:7. 12:2. Heb. 10:30. g 27. 6:7,14. 12:20.
thaim. Jer. 48:22. Beth-dib-d 8,27. 11:10,11. 16:38. 18:50. h 5:9. 2 Kings 21:12,13. Dan.
V. 12-14. ( Marg . Ref . -Notes , 4-7.20:28.1 Kings 14:22-24. 2 Kings 17:7-11. 19:36,37. Is. 57:3-6.-More desoiate.... Diblath . (14) Marg . and Marg . Ref . e.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Whatever men idolize or abuse to sin will conduce to their misery, or be involved in their ruin: and those who hate the knowledge of God through love of sin, shall be made to know him by experiencing "the power of his wrath." (Note, Ps . 90:11.) The superstitions, to which many trust for safety, often prove the immediate cause of their ruin: and it is as awful for a sinner to be cut off, in the act of worshipping an image or a creature, as in the practice of the grossest immorality; for "the LORD is a jealous God, and will not give his glory to another."-However poor benighted Pagans may be spared in their idolatries; if "the mountains of Israel," the countries favor
33:20, 34:20-22, 36:19. Rev. 20-12,13.
9:12. Am. 3:2. Nah. 1:9. Matt. 24:21.
iquities. But men in general, even among professed Christians, are very remote from this penitent frame of mind: they cavil at the threatenings of scripture, as severe or unjust; or they disregard them as vain words, and are secure and confident upon the brink of destruction. It therefore behoves such of us, as are called to preach the word of God, to speak and act as men in earnest, who are deeply affeeted with abhorrence of the sins against which we protest, and with compassion for those against whom we denounce the vengeance of God. This vehemence of language and gesture will excite the disgust, the ridicule, or the rage of proud and carnal men, and expose us to contempt and calumny: but if we know the worth of souls, and the danger to which unbelievers are exposed; we shall deem every sinner, who takes warning to flee to Jesus for deliverance "from the wrath to come," an abundant recompense for the deri
ed with "the oracles of God," become the re-sion and obloquy, which we may encounter
ceptacle of such abominations, they may expect his severest vengeance: and it will not be long before idols and idolatry will be as awfully and effectually destroyed out of the professed Christian church, as they were from among the Jews. Men's wickedness springs from for forgetfulness of God, and disregard to
their relations and obl
our
bligations
ever therefore brings them to "remember him," and their sins against him, should be considered as a blessing. True repentance springs from the knowledge of God and of ourselves: this shews the evil and malignity of transgressions, the depraved propensity of our hearts to depart from him; and the innumerable provocations committed against him, in our thoughts, words, and works, by all our faculties and senses, our bodies and souls.
Then we perceive how basely ungrate ungrateful we have been for his goodness, and how much we have done to weary out his patience, and to violate our engagements and obligations to him: our self-justification and self-admiration will thus be turned into humble confessions of guilt and self-abhorrence before God: and this will lead us to hope in his mercy alone, to acknowledge his truth and justice in all our corrections, and to return to his service with uprightness of heart, renouncing all our formerly beloved, but now loathed, idolatries and inVOL. IV.
from tens of thousands, who are thronging the broad road to destruction; and who will soon be convinced, that no earnestness could possibly be too great in such a cause.
NOTES.
CHAP. VII. V. 2, 3. The abrupt manner, and the repetitions,
ed that the prophet was greatly affected by the prospect of the calamities which he predicted: as men cry, 'Fire, fire! Thieves, thieves!'
when they or others are in imminent danger. -The Lord had long spared the people, peop or only inflicted partial judgments: but "the end" was now come to their establishment and prosperity; and his vengeance would desolate the four corners of the land, including Israel as well as Judah. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 7. 12:21 -28. 18:30-32. Lam . 4:18,19. Am . 8:1-3.) V.4. Marg . Ref . In the midst , idst , &c.] &c.] The dire consequences of Israel's abominable idolatries and iniquities, would be manifest in all those places especially, where their crimes had been committed.
V. 5. 'That evil is come upon thee which 'alone shall make a despatch of thee; there 'will need no other to second it.' Bp . Hall. 'Such an evil, as shall comprehend all other 'calamities in it.' Lowth . An unprecedented evil, of itself sufficient to ruin the nation. (1 [473
6 An end is come, the end is come: 11 Violence is risen up into a rod of it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come. wickedness: none of them shall remain , 7 The morning is come unto thee, Onor of their multitude, nor of any of thou that dwellest in the land: the time theirs: neither shall there be wailing for is come, the day of trouble is near, and them. not the sounding again of the mountains.
8 Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee; and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.
12 The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn; d for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet
9 And mine eyes shall not spare, nei-alive: for the vision is touching the whole
ther will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways, and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth.
Sam . 26:8.) This was come, or coming: for the prediction seems to have been delivered about three years before Jerusalem was besieged. Marg . Ref .)
V. 6. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 2,3,7,10, 11.)-'A destruction, which shall be fatal to a 'great part of those that go into captivity; as 'well as to those who are consumed in their 'own country. (5:12. 6:8. Jer . 44:27.)' Lowth .
V. 7. The predicted day of vengeance which watched for the Jews, (6) was at hand: the day dawned, the tokens of approaching ruin were discernible: the report of the Chaldean invasion was no vain rumor; not like the echo or reverberated sound upon the mountains, by which a single voice might be mistaken for the noise of a multitude; for the Chaldean army was indeed upon the march, and would soon arrive and bring bring destruction with them. Not 'such a a joyful sound as useth to echo from the 'mountains, by which the treaders of the 'grapes express their satisfaction, at the time 'of vintage, which the Hebrew word prop'erly signifies.' Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . -Notes ,
otes , 10-13. 21:25-27.30:2,3
multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself ** in t the iniquity of his life.
14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle, for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
15 The sword is without, and the pes
captive.--The word translated "any of theirs," is by some supposed to mean, their boasters , or tumultuous ones. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . z, a.)
V. 12, 13. In general men think that they have reason to rejoice, if they are able to buy estates; and to lament, if obliged to sell their houses and lands. But this would by no means be the case of the Jews, at that time; for the buyer would soon be driven from his purchased possession; and the seller would only part with what must in a very short time have been torn from him: ( Marg .
Ref . b-d.-- Notes , Is . 24:1-12, vv. 1,2. 1 Cor . 7:29--31.) because the wrath of God against the whole multitude would soon desolate the land; and even they, who should survive these calamities, would not be able to return to their possessions at the year of Jubilee, lee, being detained captive at Babylon. ( Notes , Notes, Lev . 25:8-13, 25:8-13, 13,14-17,25-30.
Jer . 32:6-15,42-44.) 32:6--15,42-44.) None of them would return, till the seventy years of the captivity were accomplished; and then many of them would not be able to obtain possession of their inheritances: and in vain did any of them expect deliverance by power or courage, whilst they hardened themselves in sin. "No one, whose life was in his iniquity, shall be able to strengthen himself."
'voidably overtake them. Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . f.- Notes , Ps . 62:8-10. Luke 12: 15-21.)
V. 8,9. Marg . and Marg . Ref .-- Notes , 2--4. V. 10, 11. The rod, or sceptre, of authority among the Jews, had budded into pride, ambition, and tyranny, and blossomed into vio-Though they harden themselves in sin, and lence and oppression; and these produced such 'shut their eyes against against the judgments that an increase of wickedness, as brought down 'hang over their heads, they will at last una the judgments of God upon them. ( Marg . Ref . u-y.- Notes , 19:10--13. 21:9-13. Num . 17:6-11.) Or, Or, Nebuchadnezzar, his rod of correction, was grown exceedingly in power, pride, violence, lence, and rapacity; and thus was prepared to punish the Jews: and their pride, violence, and iniquity, exposed them to this prosperous scourge of God. ( Note , Is . 10:5,6.) So that nothing would remain in Judah or Jerusalem, of all their multitude and riches; nor any to lament those that were slain or carried || -19.)
V. 14. In defiance of these warnings and predictions, the leaders of the Jews caused the trumpet of war to be sounded, to make all ready to withstand the invaders: but they found the people deprived of all courage and resolution; because God in his vehement wrath had intimidated them. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 16 tilence and the famine within: he that is || souls, neither fill their bowels: because it in the field shall die with the sword; and is the stumbling-block of their iniquity. he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him. [Practical Observations.]
16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
17 All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.
18 They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their
k 6:3. Ezra 9:15. Is. 1:9. 37:p Gen. 15:12. Job 21:6, Ps. 31. Jer. 44:14,23,
16:9. Is. 38:14. 59:11.
m 36:31. Prov. 5:11-14. Jer. 31:9,18,19. 50:4,5. Zech. 12: 10-14.
n 21:7. Is. 13:7,8. Jer. 6:24. Heb. 12:12.
Heb. go into water.
o Is. 3:24. 15:2,3. Jer. 48:37. Am. 8:10.
35:26. 55:4,5. Jer. 3:25. Rev. 6:15-17.
q 2 Kings 7:7,8,15. Prov. 11:4. Is. 2:20. 30:22. Zeph, 1:18. Matt. 16:26.
Heb. for a separation, or, uncleanness.
r Job 20:12-23. Ps. 78:30,31. Ec. 5:10. Is. 55:2. Luke 12: 19,20,
V. 15. Marg . Ref . Notes, 5:1-4. Deut. 32: 24-27. Jer . 14:17,18. 15:2-4. V. 16-19. A small remnant would escape death by the sword, famine, and pestilence; but they ey would be driven out of the land, and scattered abroad as lost sheep upon the mountains: and there they would mourn for their sins and the calamities occasioned by them; "as doves of the valleys," which are driven to the mountains by the birds of prey, and there mourn their separation from their mates in the most disconsolate manner.
Dejection of spirits would enfeeble the hands of this remnant, and render their knees weak as water, or enervate all their attempts to resist or escape their enemies: ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . n, o.Notes, 21:6,7. Is. 35:3,4. Jer. 6:24-26.) and they would express their grief and horror of mind, and their confusion and shame, by every customary token.
Then would they find the inefficacy of their silver and gold, to purchase bread, to preserve their lives, to give comfort to their desponding hearts, or to deliver them from the wrath of God and the executioners of his vengeance: and therefore, though they had before covetously idolized their riches, and the love of them had been the stumbling-block, over which they had fallen into manifold impieties and iniquities, which had exposed them to these calamities; yet they would then cast them into the streets, or leave them without concern to be rifled and removed by the victors, and even count them vile and polluted. (Marg. and Marg .
Ref . q, r.- Notes , Is . 2:1921. 30:22. 31:6,7. Matt . 16:24-28, v. 26. Jam. 5:1-6.) For they had acquired them by injustice, hoarded them in avarice, and employed them in luxury, or in supporting idolatry, in making idols and adorning their temples.
They that escape, &c. (16) 'Some few of 'them shall have the favor of escaping the 'common calamity, called elsewhere the escap'ed, or the remnant ; from whence is derived 'the phrase, δι σωζόμενοι, in the New Testament: || 'such as are, or should be saved . ( Is . 1:9. Jer . 44:
20 As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty; but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
21 And "I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it .
22 My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place : for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.
23 Make ya chain: " for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of vi
olence.
or, their iniquity is their u 2 Kings 24:13. 25:9,13-16.
stumbling-block. 14:3,4,7, 44:
12. Rom. 11:9.
s 24:21. 1 Chr. 29:1,2. 2 Chr. 2:9. 3: Ezra 3:12. Ps. 48:2. 50:2. 87:2,3. Is. 6411. Hag.
2:3.
t 5:11. 8:7-10,15,16. 2 Kings 21:4,7. 23:11,12. 2 Chr. 33:4- 7. 36:14. Jer. 7:30.
Or, made it unto them an unclean thing. 22. 9:7. 24:21. Jer. 7:14. Lam. 1:10. 2:1,7.
2 Chr. 36:18,19. Ps. 74:2-8. 79:1. Jer. 52:13,&c.
x Ps. 10:11. 35:22. 74:10,11,18 -23. Jer. 18:17.
|| Or, burglers .
y 19:3-6. Jer. 27:2. 40:1. Lam 3:7. Nah. 3:10.
z 9:9. 11:6. 22:3-6,9,13,27. 2 Kings 21:16. 24:4. Is. 1:15. 59:3,7. Jer. 2:34 7:6. 22:17. Hos. 4:2. Mic. 2:2, 7-2. Zeph. 3 : 3,4.
14.)' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . k.)- Mourning , &c.] Marg. Ref . 1, m.- Notes , 36:31. Lev . 26:40-42. Is . 59:9-15, v. 11. Jer. 31:18-20. Hos . 11:8— 11, v. 11. Nah. 3:7. Zech. 12:9-14. - Horror , &c. (18) Marg . Ref . p.- Note , Ps . 55:4-8.
V. 20-22. The temple had been the chief beauty and ornament of Jerusalem. Solomon, according to the express appointment and directions of JEHOVAH, had builded and decorated it with immense magnificence: many of his successors had expended large sums in repairing and beautifying it: God had greatly honored it, as the place in which he displayed his glory; indeed the people were vain of it and confided in it.
But, as they had defiled the courts of it, and even the sanctuary itself, by their detestable idols, the Lord determined to remove them far from it into captivity; or to make it as "an unclean thing," being defiled by the presence of the Chaldeans, and by the slaughter there committed. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . s, t.) These most wicked and impious strangers would be allowed to rifle its sacred treasures: nay the Lord would turn away his face, as one who utterly disregarded what was doing; whilst they entered the holy of holies, his "secret place," plundered it of the mercy-seat and the ark of the covenant, and utterly profaned and destroyed it. This is the general and most apposite interpretation. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . u, x.- Notes , 8:7-18. 9:5-7. 24:19-24. Is . 64:9-12. Jer. 7:5-7,30. Lam . 1:8-11. 2:5–7 .
Matt . 24:1,2,15-18.) The LXX however, connect the passage with the nineteenth verse, and render the twentieth as follows:- "They were proud of their chosen ornaments, and made of them images of their abominations, therefore have I given them unto them for pollution." ( Notes , 16:15-22. Ex . 32:2-6.)
V. 23. This commandment to "make a chain" implied, that the Jews, as condemned criminals, would be delivered up into the hands of their enemies, and be led away captive in chains, and cast into prison. ( Notes , 19:2-9. Jer . 27:2-9.2 Kings 25:1-7.) "Bloody crimes"
were either such as were punishable by the death of the criminals; or rather those of the oppressors and persecutors, who had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. The original is The judgment of bloods , that is, unjust decisions of the magistrates, by which the innocent were put to death. ( Marg . Ref . - Notes , 11:412. 22:3-5,25-28. 2 Kings 21:16. 24:3,4. Is.1 : 10-15,21-24. 10:1-4. Mic . 3:8—12. 7:1-4.) V.24. Pomp of the strong.] That is, the magnificence of their greatest and haughtiest princes. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Note , 33:24 -29, v . 28.)- Holy places .] Notes , 20-22. 21:2 -5, ν. 2.
V. 25, 26. When one calamity should succeed to another, and alarming rumors be continually propagated; the people would not be able to obtain information from the prophets: nor would the priests be able to give them instruction or consolation; and their elders and counsellors would be confounded and infatuated. This related to the case of the Jews during the invasion of the land, and the siege of the city, and afterwards during the Babylonish captivity: ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , Ps . 74:9. Is . 29:9-12. Lam . 2:9. Am . 8:11-14. Mic. 3:5-7.) but it still more emphatically corresponds with the condition of that nation, from the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans to this present day. ( Notes , Hos . 3:4,5. John 12:34-36.)
V. 27. There shall be a general consterna'tion of all ranks and degrees of men. Those 'that are in authority shall want presence of 'mind to give counsel and directions; and the 'inferiors shall have no heart to put them in 'execution.' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref .-- Notes , 12:8 -16. 17:15-21. 21:25-27. Is . 3:1-9.)- Their deserts.] Marg . -Notes , 18:30-32. Matt . 7:1, 2. Jam . 2:8-13, v . 13.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-15.
this misery continually overtakes one and another of the ungodly, yea immense multitudes every year; and it "watcheth" for every one of them. ( Note , Luke 21:34-36.) -The morning of our dying day, and of the day of judgment, will soon dawn: the time of the sinner's trouble is at hand; and those, who have treated all the warnings of God's word and providence as false alarins, will find them awfully realized, and will no more consider them as "the sounding of the mountains.” What then will they think of their presumptuous delays and carnal security, when the day of life and of grace shall expire! when the anger of God shall be accomplished on them! when vain mirth, self-flattery, and false hope shall terminate in "weeping, "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth!" Indeed, whilst men are indulging their their pride p and lusts, and these are budding, blooming, and bringing forth fruit unto death; the instruments of vengeance are also preparing: and thus sudden destruction comes, from which there is no escape. ( Note , 1 Thes . 5:1-3.)-Though we in this land should continue to be favored with national peace and temporal prosperity; yet how soon will the time arrive, when all our joys and sorrows about worldly gain and loss will be no more!
"The fashion of this world passeth away," and all our eagerness and anxiety about it are vain and useless. The wrath of God has filled the earth with trouble and death: men must soon be torn from their possessions, to return no more to them; and how wretched must they be, who have no inheritance in that world, to which we are all hastening, and from which there is no return! nor can any man strengthen himself in iniquity, so as to outbrave or sustain these tremendous evils.
V. 16-27.
All efforts to elude divine vengeance, in this world or the next, must be unavailing: the wrath of God dismays the most intrepid; their "hands hang down and their knees wax feeble," and inward horror accompanies their outward calamities and confusion. And if, in the siege and taking of cities, men cast away their gold and silver, as an incumbrance rather than a security; what judgment will sinners form of the value of their now idolized wealth, in the final "day of wrath and perdition of ungodly men?" Even here they can neither comfort the wounded heart, nor ease the burdened conscience, nor purchase health and ease; and in some cases they will not even procure food to satisfy the hunger of their famished possessors. Yet after all that can be said, men will set their hearts on such lying vanities; and multiply crimes, and treasure up wrath, remorse, and horror, in order to increase
"An end" will soon come to all the prosperity and enjoyment of impenitent sinners, in every corner of the earth. Now is the day of the Lord's patience and mercy: but "the day is at hand," when he will send his anger upon ungodly men, and judge and recompense them according to their ways, without mercy or pity: then "they that are filthy will continue filthy still," and their abominations shall be in the midst of them for ever. ( Note , Rev. 22:10-12, ข. 11.) This destruction is indeed "an evil, an only evil," a natural evil, of magnitude proportioned to the moral evil and desert of sin: and all other sufferings may be deemed trivial, and scarcely worth notice, when compared with it. We should therefore loudly sound the alarm, and strenuously and earnestly call on men "to flee from the wrath to come." For || such riches, as will yield no comfort when
they most want it, and which must be left for ever!-Even in religion, human folly and depravity are equally conspicuous: men value themselves on distinctions and forms, which they disgrace by their crimes, and which will eventually increase their condemnation! But whatever real or supposed decency, beauty, or majesty there may be in any of our modes of worship; God will deem them polluted to all such as make them the cloke of their iniqui
3 And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and 'the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
4 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.
5 Then said he unto me, Son of man,
e 2:9. Dan. 5:5. 10:10,18. f 3:14. 11:1,14. 1 Kings 18:12. 2 Kings 2:16. Acts 8:39. 2 Cor. 12:2-4. Rev. 1:10,&c. 4:2,&c.
g 5. 2 Kings 16:14. 1 5:11. 7:20. 2 Kings 21:7. Jer. 7:30. 32:34.
i Ex. 20:5. 34:14. Deut. 4-24. 5:9. 6:15, 32:16,21. Josh. 24: 19. Ps. 78:58. 1 Cor. 10:21,
22.
k-1:26-28.3:22,23. 9:3. 10:1 4. 11:22, 23. 43:2-4. Ex. 25: 22. 40:34,35. 2 Cor. 3:18. 4:4 -6. Heb. 1:3.
their leap-year, to which a full month of thirty days was added, as it is well known: or this transaction might take place after the expiration of the three hundred and ninety days, and before the forty days were entered on.At the time however, here mentioned, the prophet was sitting in his house, and was attended by some of the elders of Judah, who were in captivity: perhaps it was the sabbath day, and they came to attend his instructions,
ties: and he has often permitted the most im-as they had neither temple nor synagogue to
pious, rapacious, and cruel of the nations, to plunder and waste those professing churches, which have dishonored him by their crimes.— || In vain do they seek peace or deliverance from their enernies, if unrepented sins exclude them from the peace and protection of God. "Mis- chief" must at length "come upon mischief, and rumor upon rumor:" whilst neither proph- et, priest, counsellor, nor prince can escape, or shew others any way of deliverance.
For they, who will not mourn for sin with "godly sorrow," must bewail its effects with bitter lamentations, being covered with confusion and clothed with desolation. To this awful ruin the whole multitude of the human species is exposed; yet "a remnant according to the election of grace" shall escape. These may be known by their mourning for sin, with bro- ken hearts and penitent confessions, like "doves of the valleys;" and by becoming harm-resort to; or they came to consult him about some of their affairs. ( Marg .
Ref . b.- Notes , 14:1-5, v . 1. 20:1-3.33:30-33.) Whilst they were present, he was seized by a powerful divine impulse, and cast into an ecstasy, or trance, and had the following vision presented to his mind. ( Marg . Ref . c.- Note , 1:1-3, v . 1.)
V.2-4. Doubtless this was the same appearance which Ezekiel had before seen: "a likeness," that is, of a man upon a throne, "as the appearance of fire downwards," denoting the terrible and righteous indignation of God against the rebellious Jews; and as of "brightness and of the color of amber" upward, perhaps implying the essential glory and excellency of the eternal Son of God, as they appear to the inhabitants of heaven. ( Marg . Ref . d.- Note , 1:26-28.) -This glorious person seemed, in vision, to put forth the form of a
less, pure, gentle, modest, and loving, accord-hand, and to take hold of a lock of the proph
ing to that instructive emblem. Such penitents shall obtain pardon and peace by faith in Jesus Christ, and those riches, which will give comfort in the hour of death and profit them in the day of wrath. ( Notes , Eph . 3: 8. Rev. 3:18,19, v. 18.) May the Lord incline and enable us to choose and seek this "good part, which shall never be taken from us!"
NOTES.