CHAPTER VIII.
‘word, ‘#¢ is because there zs no “light in **.
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of hosts, * which dwelleth in mount Zion. = xi. 6. xv. ss. 19 And when they shall say unto you, =x, Fs. ix. *Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, , S.1S° yc and unto wizards ° that peep, and that {.Pétrxis. i 2 Chr. xxxili. 6,
mutter: °should not a people seek untob xix their God? ¢ for the living to the dead? ° I6.8 Kings 1.8 20 To ‘the law and to the testi-a Ps. cvi. 26, ser.: if they speak not according to this 9.710 mony 71 th y P & e 16. Luke x. °6,
299—3I. John v. 39. 46,
47. Acts xvil. them. li, Gul. iii. 8, &e. iv. 91, 22. @ Tim. iii, 15—J7. @ Pet. i. 19. f xxx. 8—I1. Ps. xix. 7, 8. Cxix. 190. Jer. viii.o. Matt. vi. 93. xxii. 89. Mark vii. 7-—~9. Romi.i. 22. 2 Pet. i. 9. * Heb,
morning. ~ Prov. iv. 18. Hos. vi. 3. Mal. iv. 2. @ Pet. i. 19.
‘© God had given him,” by very significant names; (Noes, 1—4. Vii. 3;) and every time they-were mentioned, they would bring his predictions of judgment and of mercy to remembrance. Some of the people would be astonished, that the prophet should give his sens.such remarkable names ; and others would deride both him and them with the most entire scorn and contempt: so that ‘ he and his children ‘¢ were for signs and wonders in Israel, from the Lorp,” who had ordered him thus to cal] them. (Nodes, Ixxi. 7.
Zech. iii. 8.) For though they were not miraculous signs, confirming to the senses the certainty of the predictions; yet they were memorials from God concerning them, suited to excite attention and expectation.—St, Paul has‘ quoted this passage in an argumentative discourse, and applied it in such a manner, as proves, that Immanuel himself, and his people, whom he condescends to own both as brethren and children, were primarily intended. (Notes, li11. 9, 10. Ps. xxit. 30, 31.
Heb. it. to—19.) He was ‘a sign, that ‘should be spoken against;” (Note, Luke tl. 33—95 ;) and they have ever been beheld with wonder and derision, or de= testation, because of their conformity to him, and their zealous attachment to his cause, doctrines, and precepts.—This is, among many others, a clear instance, by the apostle’s testimony, of a twofold fulfilment of prophecies; one more immediate, but less important or adequate; the other more remote, but more fully answering to the emphatical language of the inspired writer.
V. 19. The unbelieving Jews were prone to seek information, counsel, and help from diviners and wizards, of different descriptions; which was expressly forbidden in the law, and was in fact worshipping the devil. (Notes, xlvii. 192—15, Ex, xxi. 18. Lev. xx. 6. Deut. xvii. g—12.) These persons, it seems, used strange fantastick gestures in their incantations; such as peeping out of the corners of their eyes, and muttering as if they spake out of their belly ; with other ceremonies suited to their abominable practices. (Marg. Ref.)
“But when the Jews were persuaded to seek unto such persons,
they were instructed to enquire, whether a people should uot seek to their God : and whether it were right or reasonable to leave the living to consult the dead ; the living God, to consult dead idols, or the spirits of dead men, whom these witches and wizards pretended to bring up tothem. (Notes, 1 Sam. xxviii. 11—19.) A strong expresssion of indignant ~ abhorrence. 5 4
V 20. The law of God is the standard of duty; his ** sure ‘ testimony,” the standard of truth; ‘his promise, the firm ground of hope.—When, therefore, the people wanted instruction, counsel, or encouragement, let them go to the law, truths, and promises of God. If they would not receive the prophet’s message, or doubted its authenticity, let them
recur to the law of Moses, and other preceding parts of *i2G
é
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E78. 91 And they shall pass*throughit, *hard-xavit. 99,38 ly bestead and hungry : and it shall come
89—57. 2 Kings
xxv.s. Jer.xiv.to pass, that when they shall be hungry,
Way 3.0." they shall fret themselves, and “curse
§ Prov. xix. 9,
k Ex. xdi. 9. their king and their God, and look upward.
2 Kings vi. 33. : Job 1. ll. il. 5. 9. Rev. 1X. 20, 21. XVi1. o—l11. =
revelation. Let them prove all their principles and practices by this standard. But if any were so perverse, as to _Yeject and contradict this rule, it was plain they were devoid of spiritual understanding, for no hope or comfort could be found in any other way.—‘ They have no knowledge, but ‘are blind leaders of the blind.’ (Notes, xxx. 8—11. Ps. Cxix. 130. Jer. vili. 8, 9. Matt. vi. 22, 23.)—Philosophical illuminators, and enthusiastical pretenders to new revelations, not to be judged of by “ the law and the testimony,’ are alike concerned in this decision.
This interpretation, however scriptural, apposite, and important, 1S objected to, on account of a critical difficulty, supported by high authority; (Bp. Lowth;) as if uur translation could not convey the true meaning, because the root of the word rendered ‘* ight,” signifies ‘ to make dark.’ But the same noun is used for the morning or day-break, (when a little light diminishes the darkness,) in the Gilswing passages, among many others, (Gen, xxxii. 24. 26. Josh. vi. 15. 1 Sam. ix. 26. fob Xxxvili, 12.
Ps. cxxxix. g;) so that the last clause, I apprehend, with deference to so high authority, may be fairly translated : ‘* if they speak not according to this word, it is “ because no morning” (not the least dawn of light) ‘¢ is in ‘‘ him;” i. e. in any one of them. (Notes, Prov. iv. 18, 19. Hos. vi, 1—9. 2 Pet. i. 19—21.
V. 21,22. Inevitable and intolerable evils were coming on each of those, who rejected ‘‘ the law and testimony ”’ of God, to trust in diviners or carnal confidences. None of them would by any means escape the approaching calamities, and all would pass through them in the utmost distress and penury. And when ready to perish with hunger, they would increase their own anguish by extreme tmpatience: they would curse their king, or rulers, for their ruinous measures ; and even blaspheme God, while in vaip they looked upward for help. (Notes, 2 Kings vi. 28-—31.
Rev. xv1. 10, 11.) Nor could an} assistance or relief be obtained frem man: but-on which side soever they looked, they would behold troubles, dismay, and increasing anguish ; till hardened in impious and impenitent rage and blasphemy, they would be driven into final despair and misery. (Marg. Ref. Ex. x. 21. 29. Prov. xiv. 32. Luke xxi. 25—28. 2, Pet.ii. 17.
Jude 11—13 )—This may refer to the miseries of many individuals in Sennacherib’s invasion s-and po the dreadful calamities during the siege and sack of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans: but it most exactly corresponds to the account given by Josephus of the siege of that city by the Romans, and the miseries connected with that awful event. ;
| PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1—-10.
aie | ‘We have continual reason to bless God for causing his - revealed will to be written for our instruction, “ with a ‘‘ man’s pen,” in language level to our feeble capacities ; ‘and for giving us, in his providence, a faithful translation of the scriptures into our own tongue.—dThey, who treat on divine matters ought to study plainness, that men in general may understand them ; even thought should interfere with
ISATAH.
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22 And they shall ‘look unto thet rs s 1
earth; and behold trouble and darkness, 3. a 38 dimness of anguish; and they shall be 5;
18 —@0. ™ driven to darkness.
Zeph. i. 14, 15. Matt. vis. 1¢. Xl. 130
xxiv. 29. : m Job xviii. 18 Prov. xiv. $2. Jer. xxiii, 1% Matt.
the display of their eloquence and erudition, and with their reputation among the learned and judicious few.—The accomplishment of the prophecies forms a conclusive evidence of the divine original of the scriptures ; too much care cannot be taken to ascertain, that tiey were written on the occasions mentioned in them; and the testimony of the Jews, who have ever been “ faithful witnesses to record,” that the books of the Old Testament have been handed down, through succeeding ages, from the persons whose names they bear, is very valuable and u.etul, as a cogent argument in our controveisy with the enemies of our holy faith— We should endeavour, that every surrounding object may remind_us of the words of God, whether of judgment or ot mercy; and that those treasuies which men tc.lize or abuse, will speedily be torn fi -m. .aem.—They, +o reject the salvation and authority of Christ, and refuse his peace and consolation, that they may rejoice in worldly confidences and pleasures; will svon find their licentious liberty to be the basest slavery, their joys w terminate in anguish, and their security in desperation.
But happy are the subjects of Immanuel, who live in his land; for he will take care of his church in the most urgent circumstances.
The enemies of his cause may often come in, like an inundation from some mighty river, overflowing all. its banks ; they may sweep to icaruction numbers of professed christians, and occasion many troubles to believers; but the church will hold her head above water, in the worst of times, and may bid defiance to all the hosts of her enemies. (Noée, Matt. xvi.18.) Let persecuting kings and nobles conspire against her, with combined power; let wealth and nobility unite with learning, genius, and philosophy, to run down the despised doctrine of the cross; let men of every nation associate, and gird themselves; let them take counsel, give laws, menace, boast, speak, write, triumph: yet, as Jesus is ‘* Immanuel, God with us,”” we may boldly say, ** the Lorp ‘of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge.” Their counsel shall come to nought, their word shall not stand; and the present and future enemies of the church shall share the fate of those, who formerly have been broken to pieces ; and been constrained to say, ‘ Thou hast over- ‘ come, O Nazarene!’
Vv. 1 1—2 2.
It requires the powerful influences of divine grace to pree serve even pious men from conforming, in some respects, to the way of formal professors of the gospel; and from either desponding, or employing carnal weapons, in perilous times. . When Christians see persecuting powers, or boasting scholars, combining against the people or truths of Christ, they are ready to give up all for lost. But let us not be thus dismayed : the cause of God is in no danger ; but the ruin will fall either upon open opposers, or hypocritical friends. They who “ sanctify the Lorp.of hosts himself,” and fear and trust in him, as dwelling in human nature ; who value nothing in comparison with his grace, and fear nothing so much as coming short of it, or dishonouring ‘his
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Predictions of deliverance and joy to the
- people of God, through the incarna-
' tion, salvation,’and kingdom of Christ,
1—7: of dreadful vengeance on Israel,
for their pride, hypocrisy, and impe-
' ~ nitent wickedness, and through the
_ success of their enemies, and their own furious contentions, 8—~21. 2
ater NEVERTHELESS * the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation,
name, shall. find. him ‘‘ a Sanctuary,” and be kept by his wer through faith uato salvation. —But the crucified mmanuel, who was, and is, ‘“‘ a stumbling-stone and a ‘rock of offence” to unbelieving Jews; is no less so to thousands, who are called Christians. The preaching of the cross is foolishness in their estimation: his doctrines and precepts, and the reproach of his cause offend them: and yet they rely on a name, a form, or a notion ; and are buoyed up in vain confidence, til] they are snared and taken captive by Satan at his will.
Even to this day, the truths and commands of Christ are sealed from the generality of his nominal disciples; so that they do not perceive the nature or glory of them. It is gzven to believers only, ‘* to know the *« mysteries of the kingdom of God :”’ but to them that are without all is enveloped in parables. (Notes, vi.9, 10. Matt. xili, 10—15.) “* The secret of the Lorn is with them that fear “him,” (Note, Ps. xxv. 14,9 and they are ‘all taught of ** God :” yet their knowledge will not be complete, till ** the mystery of God be finished,” and till they see him face to face.
In the mean time, they wait on him, and look for him, even when he hideth his face from them, and is pleased to leave his church in trouble: and they shall not wait or look in vain.
He will come at death to receive their souls; he will come ere Jong to render his truth universally victorious, and ‘he will come at length to raise the dead, and to judge the world.-As the Divine Redeemer was contradicted and blasphemed, and treated with the utmost scorn and enmity, even by Israel; and as * he is ** not ashamed to call us brethren” and children: surely we should not be averse to be treated by the world, and even by professed Christians, as he was, and as prophets and apostles were in their days.
But let us aim to be a,memo-yial, and an example to them; and let parents so educate their children, and ministers so watch over their people, as may give them a good hope of being able to say, in the great day of account, ‘Behold, I and the children, whom “*the Lorphath given me;” and then will their salvation be completed ‘* from the Lonp of hosts, which dwelleth in © Zion.” ——Let us then keep close to his word and ordinances, and not listen to deceivers of: whatever name, who would excite our attention by unscriptural, and unauthenticated, pretensions to intercourse with the world of spirits ; or who use whimsical and unaccountable observances, by way of charms or incantations, in order to obtain super- . natural help and information.
Should not the people of God ‘trust in him, and seek assistance from him alone ? and should they use any suspicious or unwarranted means of
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