CHAP. II. V. 1-3. The prophet, having made his complaints and inquiries before God, humbly waited for an answer. He was a watchman, who was appointed to stand in his watch-tower, to give warning of the approach either of enemies or helpers. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . a, b.- Notes , 1:12-17. Ps . 5:8. Is. 21:6-12. Ez . 3:17-19. 33:2-9. Heb . 13:17.) He would therefore wait upon God, with recollection and prayer, expecting further instructions: and he would watch to see what the
at or countenance the crimes of his worship-Lord would say to him, or "in him," by the
pers, or even the inconsistent walking of true believers; so he cannot possibly approve of the enormous injustice, treachery, cruelty, rapacity, or blasphemy of his avowed enemies. Yet the transient success of bad men, in devouring those that are more righteous than themselves, often proves a dangerous temptation to believers; and causes them to question, for the time , the truth of their own principles, and to be dissatisfied with their choice and Portion. (Notes, Ps. 73:2-28.) But this is their infirmity; and prayer for stronger faith, and for clearer and more realizing views of eternal things, is the proper remedy. It is lamentably true, that "men are like the fishes of the sea," a," and the ungoverned animal tribes,
Spirit of prophecy; that he might know what answer to give the people, who reproved and contended with him for uttering the alarming predictions of the foregoing chapter, and who started objections which he knew not how to obviate. Accordingly the Lord ordered him to write the following vision in large legible characters, "upon tables" made of wood and covered with wax; (as it was customary in those days;) that, being hung up in some public place, every one might read it with the utmost facility; and that the Jews might generally get acquainted with it. ( Marg . Ref . c, d. Notes , Is . 8:1-4, v. 1. 30:8-11. Jer . 36:4,2732.) For it related to most interesting events; which would not immediately be fulfilled, but
not upright in him: but the just shall liveeth that which is not his! how long? and by his faith.
5 * Yea, also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is ma proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire Pas hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
to him that "ladeth himself with thick clay!
7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
8 Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and and of all that dwell therein.
6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against for the violence of the land, of the city,
him, and say, † Woe to him that increas
k John 3.36. Rom. 1:17. Gal. I o Is. 5.8. 10:7-13. 2:16. 3:11,12. Heb. 10:38. 1 p Prov. 27:20. 30:15,16. John 5:10-12.
10.
Ec. 5:
for which a time was appointed in the purposes of God. When that appointed period should arrive, the prophecy would speak for itself, proclaiming its divine original by its exact accomplishment: this therefore was to be patiently waited for, though apparently long delayed; for it would infallibly come to pass, and not tarry beyond the prescribed and best time. ( Marg . Ref . e. h.- Notes , 2 Kings 6:32,33. Ps . 27:13,14. 102:13—22, υυ . 13–17. Lam . 3:2630. Dan . 9:2,3,24-27. 11:36. Luke 18:1-8, vv. 7,8. Acts 1:4-8, v. 7. Jam. 5:7,8. 2 Pet . 2:1-4.) -Some interpret this of the coming of Christ, and render it, He will surely come , &c. ( Note , Heb . 10:35-39, υυ . 37,38.)
What I shall, &c. (1) Or rather, "What I 'shall answer, as to what I have argued;" viz. 'to the expostulations I made with God just 'before. ... God commands the prophet to write 'the contents of this vision, in such legible 'characters, as were used in public tables, that 'were hung up in temples and market-places, 'that every one might have cognizance of
'them.' Lowth .
Though it tarry, &c. (3) There are two 'different words in the Hebrew, which our 'English expresses by that one word tarry . "Though he tarry, expect him; because he 'that cometh, will come; he will not go beyond" 'the appointed time, but will make good the 'promises of deliverance given to your fathers.' İbid.
[Practical Observations.]
t Ps. 94:3. Luke 12:20. 1 Cor. 7:29-31. 1 Pet. 4:7.
u 13. 1s, 44:20. 55:2.
x Prov. 29:1. Is. 13:1-5,16- 18. 21:29. 41:25. 45:1-3. 46:11. 47:11. 48:14,15. Jer. 50: 21-32. 51:11,27,28,57. Dan. 5:25-31. Nah. 1:9,10. 1 Thes. 5:3.
y Ec. 10:8. Jer. 8:17.
z 10,17. Is. 33:1,4. Jer. 27:7. 30:16. 50:10,37. 51:13,44,48,55, 56. Zech. 2:8,9.
Heb. bloods . 17.
a Ps. 137:8. Is. 47:6. Jer. 50: 11,17,18,28,33,34. 51:11,24,34, 35. Mic. 4:11-13. Zech. J:
15. 2:8. 12:2-4. 14:12. Rev. 6:10. 18:20-24.
"trusted in themselves that they were righteous," vindicated their conduct against the reproofs of the prophets, and disdained their humiliating warnings and exhortations: their "souls," or hearts , were not upright in them; they were unsound and hypocritical, and "they drew back" from God and his worship, when called to self-denial and trials for conscience' sake.
Whereas every righteous person, who was accepted by God, and who walked by the rule of his word, lived by faith in his mercy, grace, promise, and providence, and in the redemption of the predicted Savior: by this faith he was justified and sanctified, and had both his title to eternal life and his meetness for it: by this faith he lived unto God, in dependence and submission, expecting all good from him, and devoting himself to his service: not being of "such as drew back unto perdition, but of those that believed to the saving of their souls." This discrimination of character, between the proud Pharisee and the humble believer, is always to be observed; but it was most evident when Christ came, and when his gospel was first published: and probably the Spirit of prophecy intended those future times and events, to which the apostle has applied this passage. ( Marg .
Ref . k.-Notes, Rom. 1:17. Gal . 3:10--14, v . 11. Heb . 10:35-39, v . 38.)"He, who is righteous by his faith, shall live." The distinction between "the righteousness of faith," and the righteousness of works, is evidently intended, as it appears by the way in which the apostle cites the text. The proud is not upright, and is condemned for his pride by his humility, but by his faith. ( Note , Rom . 4:14-17.)
V. 4. The former part of this verse may be applied to Nebuchadnezzar, or Belshazzar; whose hearts were exalted in pride, and alienated from God, even when they used submissive and hypocrisy: but the humble is not justified
words respecting him. ( Marg . Ref . i.- Notes , 2:46-49.3:20-29.5:18-24.) The Septuagint render the verse, "If any man draw back, my V. 5-8.
The prophet, having assured the soul shall have no pleasure in him: but the just Jews of a deliverance in God's appointed shall live by his faith." This the apostle quotes, 'time, proceeds now to denounce his judgonly reversing the order of the two clauses in 'ment against the Babylonian monarchy, the verse. ( Heb . 10:38.) This leads us to con- 'speaking of it, as comprised under one persider the proud, unbelieving, and apostate 'son at the head of it. (1:11.) He describes Jews, as well as the Chaldeans.
The general 'him as intoxicated with his successes, and not principle perhaps may be thus stated, with 'knowing how to set any bounds to his ambireference to the state of things in the proph- 'tion: but still as his conquests enlarge, his deet's time. The proud and hypocritical Jews 'sire of having more increases.' Lowth .-It is
objected and scoffed at these predictions; as those of whom St. Peter spake, did at that of the coming of Christ to destroy his enemies and judge the world. ( Note , 2 Pet . 3:1-4, vv . 3,4.) They were elated with self-sufficiency, and proud of their privileges: they confided in
probable, that the kings of Babylon, (as well as their subjects,) indulged to a great excess of riot also; and inflamed their passions by intoxication, for the execution of their destructive projects. Nebuchadnezzar was a very proud ambitious man, intoxicated by greatness and their own wisdom, strength, or courage, they || prosperity: he was not satisfied with his pater 9 Woe to him that * coveteth an 12 Woe to him that buildeth a town evil covetousness to his house, that he may with || blood, and stablisheth a city by iniset his nest on high, that he may be de-quity! livered from the power of evil!
10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast e sinned against thy soul.
11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall § answer it.
b Gen. 13:10-13. 19:26-33.d 2 Kings 9:26. 10:7,8. Is. 14: Deut. 7:25,26. Josh. 7:2120-22. Jer. 22:30. 36:31. Nah. 1:14. Matt. 27:25.
26. 1 Kings 21:2-4,19-24. 2 Kings 5:20-27. Job 20:19 -28. Jer. 22:13-19. Zech. 5:1-4. Acts 1:17-25. Judell. *Or, gaineth an evil gain. c Ps. 10:36.49:11.52:7. Prov. 18:11,12. Is. 28:15. 47:7-9. Jer. 49:16. Ob. 4.
Heb. palm of the hand.
Num. 16:38. 1 Kings 2:23. Prov. 1:18. 8:36. Is. 33:11. f Gen. 4:10. Josh. 24:27. Job 31:38-40. Luke 19:40. Heb. 12:24. Jam. 5:3,4. Rev. 6:10. Or, piece , or, fastening. Or, witness against it.
nal dominions; but his lust of dominion and his ambitious views were expanded, till he became insatiable as "hell and death," or the grave: and he wanted to gather to him all nations, to aggrandize himself by extending his
13 Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
14 For the earth shall be filled ** with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
15 Woe unto him that giveth his
g Gen. 4:11-17. Josh. 6:26. 1 Kings 16:34. Jer. 22:13-17. Dan. 4:27--31. Mic. 3:10. Nah. 3:1. John 11:47-50. Rev. 17:6.
|| Heb. bloods. 3. h Gen. 11:6-9. 2 Sam. 15:31. Job 5:13,14. Ps. 39:6. 127:1,2. Prov. 21:30. Is. 41:5-8.50.11.
55:2. Jer. 51:58,64. Mal. 1:4. 1 Or, in vain.
i Ps. 22:27. 67:1,2. 72:19. 86:9, 98:1-3. Is. 6:3. 11:9. Zech. 14.8,9. Rev. 11:15. 15:4.
** Or, by knowing the glory, &-c. k Gen. 19:32-35. 2 Sam. 11: 13. 13:26-28. Jer. 25:15,&c. 51:7. Rev. 17:2,6. 18:3.
Jer . 49:16. Ob . 3-6, 3-6, v. ν . 4.) But this covetousness or rapacity prompted him to use most iniquitous, oppressive, and cruel methods of aggrandizing himself, which proved ruinous to his posterity: both by rendering him the ob
authority, to increase his revenues, and to ac-ject of the hatred and envy of his neighbors,
quire a greater measure of fame among men. (Marg. and Marg . Ref . 1-q.- Notes , 9-11. Prov. 27:20. 30:15,16. Is . 5:8-17, vv . 8,14.
Dan . 5:1-4,18-24.) But his overgrown empire would speedily be subverted: all the nations, which he or his successors had conquered and oppressed, would at length insult over his fallen family and empire, with taunting proverbs; they would denounce woes upon him, for seizing upon those countries which did not belong to him; and inquire scoffingly how long he had held them: and they would ridicule and reprobate him, for "loading himself with thick clay;" or with those ill-gotten dominions and treasures, which would only pollute, burden, and encumber him, without being of any real use to him or his family. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . r-u.- Notes , Is . 14:3-20. 44:19,20. 55:1 -3. Jer . 51:33-37. Lam . 4:21,22. Ez . 32:21. Luke 12 : 15-21 , v. 20. Jam . 5:1-6.) For the Medes and Persians would soon rise up, to perplex and harass the kings of Babylon, whose great wealth and extensive empire would render them the richer booty for them. As the Chaldeans had "spoiled many nations," a remnant of these very people would join their enemies in spoiling them; to avenge the innocent blood which they had shed, and especially the violence done to the land of Judah, the city of Jerusalem, and the Jews. ( Marg .
Ref . x-a. - Notes , Is . 13:1-5,17-22. 21:1-9. 33:1. 45:1-6.
Jer. 50:22-28,35-46. 51:61-64.)-It is obvious, that all this may be applied both to the temporal conquests, dominion, and tyranny of Pagan Rome, and her persecution of the primitive Christians, and to the ruin of that overgrown empire: and also to the spiritual pride and ambition, the insatiable thirst of dominion, the tyranny, cruelty, and persecution of Papal Rome; and to the expected event of that usurpation, and the ruin of that city which has been the seat of it, whether these events were intended in the prediction, or not. ( Notes , Rev. 12:-14: 17: 18:) V.9-11.
The king of Babylon aimed to exalt his family to so high a situation of power and greatness, that they might be out of the reach of their enemies, and have nothing to fear from any rival; as the eagle's lofty nest is the security of her young. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . c.-Notes, Prov. 18:10,11. Is . 47:7-10.
and by exposing him to the righteous judgment of God. Thus, by "cutting off many people" he ensured disgrace to his family, even as if he had consulted how to shame them: and he brought guilt upon himself, as if he had intended to destroy his own life, or soul. ( Marg . Ref . d, e.- Notes , 2 Kings 9:25, 26. Prov. 1:17-19. Is . 14:16-23.
Matt . 27:24, 25.) For if other witnesses of his guilt should be wanting, or men should not venture to give their evidence against him; the very stone and timber of the city and palaces, which he had erected with the spoils of the oppressed nations, would concur in crying to God for vengeance upon him, and in testifying his guilt. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . f.-Notes, 12-17. Jer. 22:13-19. Mic . 3:8-12. Luke 19:28-40, v. 40.
Jam . 5:1-6, vv . 3,4.)-The temporal effects of Nebuchadnezzar's oppressions on his kingdom and family, as speedily to be ruined by the Medes and Persians, were here predicted: but we cannot draw any conclusion from it, as to the state of his soul; for it is probable, that he repented and obtained forgiveness. ( Notes , Dan . 4:1-3,34-37.) 'The stones of the house 'shall cry, and say that they are built of blood; 'and the wood shall answer and say the same 'of itself."
V. 12-14. Nebuchadnezzar was very proud of great Babylon, which he had builded for himself: ( Note , Dan. 4:28-33, v . 30.) but this work was performed at the expense of immense bloodshed, and the iniquity thus contracted brought down the wrath of God on his posterity.
Ile had exposed himself, and his soldiers, to vast fatigue, hardship, and peril in his wars: and he had wearied his subjects and vassals, as if they had labored in the fire, while they builded the walls, castles, temples, and palaces of Babylon: yet all this was in fact for "very vanity." For that city would soon be taken by the Medes and Persians; the monarchy and royal family would be ruined, the seat of empire removed, and Babylon itself at length entirely destroyed. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . g, h.-Notes, Gen. 11:1-9. Ps . 127:1,2. Ec . 2:4-11. Jer. 51:25,58,61-64, υυ . 62,64.
Rev. 17:6.18:) Indeed, it was the righteous purpose of God, to permit the Chaldeans and their associates to be thus harassed and wea ried, in order to punish their idolatry, and their
neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to of the city, and of all that dwell therein. him , and makest him drunken also, m that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and "a teacher of lies, * that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake! to the dumb stone, Arise! it shall teach. Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
s Jer. 50:28,33,34. 51:24.34-37. t Is. 37:38. 42:17. 44:9,10. 45: 16,20. 46:1,2,6-8. Jer. 2:27, 28. 10:3-5.50:2. Rom. 6:21. u Jer. 10:8,14,15, Jon. 2:8. Zech. 10:2. Rom. 1:23-25. 2 Thes. 2:9-11. 1 Tim. 4:1,2. Rev. 13:11-15. 19:20.
x Ps. 115:4-8. 135:15-18. Is. 1:31. 44:14-20.
↑ Heb. fashioner of his fash
ion.
y 1 Cor. 12:2.
z 1 Kings 18:26-29. Ps. 97:7. Is. 44:17. Jer. 51:47. Dan. 3: 7,18,29. 5:23. Jon. 1:5.
a Is. 40:19. 46:6. Jer. 10:4,9. Dan. 3:1. Acts 17:29. Rev. 17:4.
oppression of his worshippers: and he intend-which the king and people of Babylon would
ed to destroy that city, in order to shew his glory to the whole earth, by redeeming Israel and replenishing Jerusalem; that there the Redeemer might appear, and that his gospel might spread from thence, to fill the earth with the knowledge knowledge of the glorious perfections, truth, and salvation of the Lord; with the worship of his name, and obedience to his will, even as the waters deeply and entirely overspread the whole channel of the seas. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . i.- Notes , Is . 6:1-4, v . 3. 11:6 -9, v . 9. Zech . 14:6-9.
Rev. 11:15-18. 20:16.)-This universal success of the gospel will follow the ruin of the New Testament Babylon; even that city, which has been builded with blood and iniquity, and where the people have been left to Labor in the fire, and to weary themselves for the veriest vanities, in idolatries, superstitions, will-worship, and fruitless efforts to preserve an usurped authority. It is therefore evident that these events also were intended.
'God's providence in governing 'the world shall conspicuously appear in the 'downfal of the Babylonian empire; especially as it is described by the prophets, as an ear'nest and type of the fall of mystical Babylon, 'which will be a decisive stroke, that will 'throughly vindicate oppressed truth and in
'nocence. Lowth .
V. 15-17. Probably, the Chaldeans were very much addicted to drunkenness, and delighted in tempting each other, or strangers, to that vice; giving them liquor and pressing them to drink to excess of it, in order that they might over-reach them when intoxicated, or discover and expose their infirmities and faults.
For this, a woe was denounced against them, that they should be exposed to shame, instead of retaining their present honor and reputation; that they would be left to drink to excess, and to expose themselves as uncircumcised idolaters; (which Belshazzar did at his feast;) and xpose that then the Lord would put his cup of wrath into their hands, intoxicate them with his judgments, and leave them to defile their magnificence, according to the loathsome behavior and condition of drunken men. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref.k -p.- Notes , Gen. 9:20-23. 19:31 -38 . 2 Sam . 11:12,13. 13:22-29, υυ . 28,29.
Is . 5:22,23. 28:7,8. 47:1-3. Dan . 5:1-4. Hos . 7:5 -7. Nah . 3:4-6.)-But the same image is elsewhere used for tempting tempting others to to idolatry other iniquity, or rendering them miserable. ( Notes , Ps . 75:8. Is . 51:21-23. Jer . 25:15-17, 27,28. 51:7. Rev. 14:8-11. 17:1-5. 18:4-8, 20-24.) It may therefore predict the pains, VOL. IV.
104
take to tempt the nations nations, especially the Jews, to idolatry, or to debase them by oppression; and the judgments of God upon them for it. In this respect espect they typified the church of Rome, the great seducer of Christians to idolatry and superstition, and the persecutor of the church, which shall soon receive its righteous retribution.
The Chaldeans would thus be punished "for the violence of Lebanon," that is, say some, 'for the 'violence done to the temple built of cedars of 'Lebanon;' (Zech. 11:1.) or for the ravages committed near that mountain: or rather for the cruelties, by which they resembled the wild beasts which frequented it. "Therefore 'the spoil of beasts shall make them afraid."... 'As thou hast spoiled others, without any sense 'of common humanity: so the army of the con'queror shall deal by thee, ... and shall tear thee 'in pieces as wild beasts do their prey.' Lowth .
"The spoil of beasts," &c. or as men pursue and destroy beasts of prey upon the mountains, who have made them afraid by their depredations. They would suffer for men's blood which they had shed, and for the violence done to Judah, Jerusalem, and the Jews. ( Marg . Ref . q-s.- Notes , 5-8, v . 8.)
The cup . (16) 'Grotius justly observes that 'the fifteenth and sixteenth verses contain an 'allegory. The Chaldeans gave to the neigh'boring nations the cup of idolatry, and deceit'ful alliance; and in return they received from JEHOVAH the cup of his fury.' Bp . New combe.
V. 18, 19. The idols of Babylon could not profit their makers: they were "teachers of lies," leading men to false conceptions of God and his worship; their oracles, as interpreted by the priests, were unprofitable and pernicious lies; and the whole deluded men into an absurd confidence in a dumb idol, the work of their own hands.
A woe was therefore denounced against those, who continued so stupid and perverse, as to say to a log of wood, or block of marble, formed into any shape, by the saw, plane, or chisel, "Awake, arise, come, help, teach, counsel us:" when, though it was overlaid with gold and silver, and appeared very splendid; yet, yet, being lifeless, it was actually inferior to the meanest reptile. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . 1 Kings 18:26-29. 2 Kings 19:1419. Ps . 115:3-8. Is . 44:9-18. 46:1,2,5-9. Jer . 10:3-10. Dan . 3:1-7. Acts 19:23-31. Rom . 1:21-23. 1 Cor . 12:1-3, v . 2.
Rev. 9:20,21. 17: 1-5.) -This is certainly applicable to the idolatry of the New Testament Babylon. For her [825
20 But the LORD is in his holy tem