CHAP. XI. V. 1. In the infancy of the nation, when Israel was weak and enslaved in Egypt, God manifested his distinguishing love of him, acknowledged him for his son, and called him out of Egypt by the hand of Moses and Aaron. ( Notes , Ex . 4:22,23. Jer . 2:2,3.
Ez. 16:3-14. 20:1-10.) As this was typical of the true Israel's conversion from the bondage of sin and Satan, to the liberty of God's children, through his peculiar love to them; so it also prefigured the bringing up of the only begotten Son of God out of Egypt, whither he had been driven by Herod's cruelty; that he might in the Lord's land perform the whole work of our redemption. ( Note , Matt . 2:13-15.) Israel is 'called God's son, and his first-born; ( Ex . 4:22, 23.) and therein was an eminent type of the 'Messias, in whom all God's promises are ful'filled. This prophecy is applied by St.
Mat'thew, (2:15.) to our Lord's return out of of Egypt, ... and the literal sense of the words does more 'properly belong to him, than to Israel; which is observable in many other prophecies, which 'can but improperly be applied to those of 'whom they were first first spoken, and, taking them in their true and genuine sense, are only ful'filled in Christ. (See particularly Ps . 22:16'18.)' Lowth .
V. 2. The perverse and ungrateful Israelites, after their deliverance out of Egypt, refused to hearken to the prophets of God, who called them to cleave to his service: nay, they were rather impelled, by resentment and enmity, to more decided rebellion and apostacy, and to run into various kinds of idolatry. ( Marg , Ref . - Notes , 5-7. 2:10-13. Num . 25:1 3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking ||im? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how
them by their arms; but they knew not that & I healed them.
4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that * take off the yoke on their jaws, 1 and I laid meat unto them.
5 He mshall not return into the
shall I make thee as * Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9 I will a not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; will not enter into the city.
land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall bed the holy One in the midst of thee: and 1
his king, because they refused to return. 6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them , because of their own counsels.
7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, + none at all would exalt him .
8 ↑ "How shall I give thee up, Ephra
f Ex. 19:4. Num. 11:11,12. Deut. 1:31. 8:2. 32:10,11. Is. 46:3. 63:9. Acts 13:18.
g 2:8. 7:1. 14:4. Ex. 15:26. 23: 25. Is. 1:2. 30:26. Jer. 8:22. 30:17.
h Cant. 1:4. Is. 63:9. John 6: 44. 12:32. 2 Cor. 5:14.
i 2 Sam. 7:14.
k Lev. 26:13.
* Heb. lift up.
Jer. 8:4-6. Am, 4:6,8-10. Zech. 1:4-6.
p 10:14. 13:16. Lev. 26:31,33. Deut. 28:52. 32:25. Jer. 5:17. Mic. 5:11.
q Ps. 80:11-16. Is. 9:14. 18:5. 27:10,11. Ez. 15:2-7. 20:47. Mal. 4:1.
r 10:6. Ps. 106:39,43. Is. 30:1. s 4:16. 14:4. Ps. 78:57,58. Prov. 14:14. Jer. 3:6,8,11. 8:5. 14:7.
1 2:8. Ps. 78:23-25. 105:40. t 2. 7:16. 2 Chr. 30:1-11. Ps. John 6:32-58.
m 7:16. 8:13. 9:3,6.
n 5:13. 10:6. 2 Kings 15:19,29. 17:3-6. 18:11. Is. 8:6-8. Am. 5:27.
o 6:1. 2 Kings 17:13,14. 18:12.
81:11. Am. 5:4-6,14,15.
† Heb. together they exalted
not .
u 6:4. Jer. 9:7. Lam. 3:33. Matt. 23:37. Luke 19:41,42.
-8. Judg . 2:11-13. Jer . 44: Ez . 16:15-22. 20: 13-26.) In like manner, the Jews afterwards walked directly contrary to the preaching of Christ and his apostles.
10 They shall walk after the LORD. he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
11 They shall tremble as a bird' out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
x Gen. 14:8. 19:24,25. Deut. 29:23. Is. 1:9,10. Am. 4:11. Zeph. 2:9. 2 Pet. 2:6. Jude 7. Rev. 11:8. 18:18.
y Deut. 32.36. Judg. 10:16. 2 Sam. 24:16. 2 Kings 13:23. Ps. 106:45. Is. 63:15. Jer. 3: 12. 31:20. Am. 7:3,6. z Lam. 1:20.
a 14:4. Ex. 32:10-14. Deut. 32.26,27. Ps. 78:38. Is. 27:4 -8. 48:9. Jer. 30:11. 31:1-3. Ez. 20:8,9,13,14,21-23.
b 1 Sam. 26:8. 2 Sam. 20:10, c Num. 23:19. Is. 55:8,9. Mic. 7:18-20. Mal. 3:6. Rom. 11: 28,29.
d Is. 12:6. Ez. 37:27,28. Zeph.
ans. (Notes, 9:1-3. Jer. 41:16-18.) They would not however be sent back as a nation, to that house of bondage; (though probably many individuals fled thither and died there;)
V. 3, 4. The Lord had all along treated Is- but the Assyrian king would acquire the dorael, even the revolted ten tribes, with the ten-minion over them; seeing they refused to re
derness of a nursing mother to her young child. He upheld them from falling, carried them above their difficulties, and taught them | their cities and villages, desolating them and
turn to the worship of JEHOVAH: and his authority would be that of the sword, abiding on devouring the inhabitants. This would be the effect of their own counsel, in refusing submission to the Assyrians, and in seeking help from the Egyptians. ( Note , 2 Kings 17:4-6.) Though they were called the people of JEHOVAH, they were bent to backslide or apostatize from him. This was the constant bias of their minds, and they were obstinate in it; so that, though the prophets earnestly called them to the worship of the "most high" God, none of them would exalt or honor him, but all of them Ref .-- Note , 2.)
how they ought to walk in order to please him; 'as a mother doth teach her child to go, leading 'it by the arms.' ( Marg . Ref . f.- Notes , Deut . 1: 29-31, ν. 31. 8:1-3.) He had also healed their breaches and afflictions, though they did not know, or thankfully acknowledge, him as their Healer. ( Marg . Ref . g .- Note , 6:1-3.) Indeed, he still drew them towards him, not by those violent methods, which are sometimes used with brutes; but by such cogent arguments, such tender persuasions, such constraining motives and obligations, as were suit-preferred their worthless idols to him. ( Marg .
ed to work on the understanding, will, and affections of rational creatures. ( Notes , Cant . 1:4. Jer . 31:3-5, v. 3. John 6:41-46, υυ . 44,45. 12:27-33, υ. 22.) Especially his continued love towards them was suited to draw them to repentance, confidence, and obedience: for he not only plentifully provided for their wants, but carefully removed every impediment to their comfortable enjoyment of his bounty: as the husbandman takes off the yoke and unmuzzles the ox, which has finished his labor; as well as lays the provender before him. (Marg. and nd Marg . Ref . h-1.- Note , Rom . 2:46, υ. 4.) The continued and persevering kindness of God to Israel, rather than any partic-im, which were destroyed along with Sodom
Bent to , &c. (7) "My people are in sus'pense because of their backsliding from me.” 'Either they are in continual anxiety, because 'of my displeasure; or else they are irresolute, 'and halt between God and their idols.' Lowth . ( Notes , 2. 7:13-16. 10:1-3. 1 Kings 18:21. Matt . 19:16-22. Acts 24:24-27.26:24-29.)Perhaps the invitation, which Hezekiah sent to the ten tribes, to come and join in celebrating the passover, may be alluded to. ( Note , 2 Chr . 30:6-11.)
ular instances, seems intended.
V. 5-7. The Israelites had a strong attachment to Egypt; and probably intended to migrate thither, when pressed by the Assyri
V.8-11. Strict justice demanded, that Israel should be rendered as Admah and Zebo
and Gomorrah, by fire from heaven; so that none escaped: and the place where they had stood was rendered ever after a monument of divine vengeance. ( Marg . Ref . x.--Notes, Gen
14:1-3. 19:24-26. Deut . 29:21-25, v . 23.) But mercy objected to this righteous severity; for how could the Lord give up his Israel to such universal and dire destruction? ( Marg . Ref . u.) Speaking after the manner of men, his bowels were moved, and his heart pained and even "turned within him" at the thought; so that his repentings (or disposition to relent and mitigate the sentence) were excited along with his holy indignation. ( Marg .
Ref . y, z.Note, Jer . 31:18-20.) He would not therefore execute the fierceness of his anger, in so undistinguishing a manner; nor return by one stroke after another, utterly to destroy Ephraim. (Note, Jer. 30:10,11.) For, being "God and not man," of infinite perfection in wisdom and mercy, as well as in justice and holiness, he knew how to moderate and regulate his indignation, and to glorify all his perfections in his dealings with them. ( Marg . Ref . c.- Notes , Mal . 3:5,6. Rom . 11:25--32.) He had dwelt "in the midst of them," as the Holy One of Israel;
ceit: but "Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the * saints.
n 4:15. 2 Kings 18:4-7. 2 Chr. 1:6. 3:21:5:10. 29:-32: *Or, most holy.
o Gen. 32:28. 1 Cor. 6:2. Rev.
cross, should principally encourage our hopes, and engage our affections to him. Yet alas! many, who are favored with abundant means of becoming acquainted with this "love of God our Savior" towards fallen man, turn away from him as if he were an enemy, and prefer their lusts and idols to his unsearchable riches and unspeakable kindness! They indeed alone are truly happy, whom he teaches by his Spirit, upholds by his power, and causes to walk in his ways.
They do not always know at first, to whom they are indebted for these beginnings of healing and salvation; but they will at length acknowledge him, as the Author and Finisher of that blessed work. He neither finds sinners willing to be saved in his bumbling, holy method, nor does he force salvation upon them against their will: ( Note , Phil . 2:12,13.) but he draws them in the most rational, tender, and persuasive manner; rendering his arguments, warnings, motives, and encouragements efficacious, by the influ
and it would not consist with his glory to de-ences of his Holy Spirit. In the gospel, he
stroy them, as he had done Sodom and the neighboring cities, without leaving any remnant; or to make them perpetual desolations: he would not enter Samaria, or their other cities, in this tremendous manner.
Some of the people should survive the catastrophe, and be incorporated among the Jews, or otherwise be brought into the church, who in future times would "walk after the LORD." When his terrible and powerful voice should be heard among them, as the roaring of a lion, Israel in after-times would tremble throughout their dispersions, like the birds of the air, or the dove the most timid of them: and being thus brought to fear aud to submit to him, they would be reinstated in the church, and perhaps in their own land.
This is evidently a prediction of the future conversion and restoration of Israel; and not merely of their return from Babylon, or of any subsequent events, which have hitherto occurred. ( Notes , 3:4,5. Is . 11:11-16. 12: 27:12,13. 60:8-14. Jer . 32 39 -41. Ez . 16:52—63. 34:23–31. 36:20-28.37: 20-28.39:23-29. Joel 3:9—17. Ат . 9:13-15. Mic . 7:11-20. Zeph . 3:18-20. Zech . 14:10,11.) V. 12. All the religious professions and services of Israel were lies and hypocrisy, with which they compassed and offended God.
But in Judah the princes wrought with God and ruled for him; and, as they regarded his laws, they had great influence with him: and the people were faithful with the saints, or followers of their pious progenitors. ( Note , Deut . 33:3.) This was written probably at the time
sets his rich provisions before them; and by his grace, he takes away prejudice, pride, hardness and blindness of heart, the carnal mind, and the love and dominion of sin, and creates an appetite for the blessed feast; and so they feed and live for ever. But they, who have only outward advantages, "not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth them to repentance," proceed with a hard and impenitent heart, to treasure up wrath against the approaching day of wrath.
For miseries in various forms await those, who refuse to return to God, and their own counsels serve only to bring ruin upon them. ( Note , Jer . 2 : 14 19.)-But alas! how "bent to backsliding" are even God's professing people! Notwithstanding the labors of ministers to call people to the service of the most High; there are very few in comparison, who cordially honor him, and give him the throne in their hearts. So that he might justly give up even a great part of the visible church, as he did Admah and Zeboim; nay, "it is of his mercy, that we are not all consumed." ( P. O.
Lam . 3 : 21-41 .) But his compassions are free and infinite: he pities the miseries, forgives the sins, moderates the corrections of his offending people, and seems to repent of his severity towards them.
How then should we repent of our ingratitude to him!-He will not destroy his church, nor leave his enemies to triumph; for he is the unchangeable God, and not like mutable man: and he can execute vengeance on hypocrites, and correct his offending children, without inof Hezekiah's reformation, and was an intima-flicting his fierce anger by an indiscriminate tion of his deliverance from Sennacherib's in- destruction. But, while this "Holy One," who vasion. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref.
Notes, 2 deigns to dwell in the midst of his church, Kings 18:4-6. 2 Chr . 29:12-19, v. 15,36. 30: "roars like a lion" against the workers of in12,15,21-27. 31:5-8.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
iquity; true Israelites tremble before him, but do not flee from him. Thus, fearing his wrath, confessing their guilt, and trusting in his mercy, they will be restored to the enjoy
The care of the Lord over us, from our ear-ment of his favor; and will have the tokens of liest infancy, should induce us to grateful obe- his acceptance; whilst the deceits and lies of dience and holy worship; and it will tend to hypocrites shall be exposed and punished. It our condemnation if it have not this effect. is peculiarly honorable to him, when we obey But his love to his church of redeemed sin- his commands, serve him in our respective
ners from the beginning, and especially in giving his Son to become incarnate, and to pass through hardships and sufferings, from his birth in the stable to his death upon the
places, and are faithful among his saints, in times of general apostacy: and "them, who thus honor God, he will honor; but they that despise him shall be lightly esteemed