CHAP. XXVII.
31 the LORD do keep it; I will
God's judgment on leviathan, and care of his church, 16. Hewater it every moment: lest any hurt it,
chastises his people in measure, and for their reformation, 7
9. Desolations, and punishment without mercy are threatened, I will keep it night and day.
because the people had no understanding, 10, 11. The Lord 4 Fury is not in me: "who would set
will gather his dispersed, to worship him in his holy mount, 12, 13.
Nthat day the LORD, with his sore and great and strong sword, shall punish leviathan the *piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the fin
ing her boundaries to the ends of the earth. Yet even they were sometimes apt to conclude, that their hopes and exertions and prayers were vain. At present the church continues in troubles, through the prevalence of impiety and iniquity: but numbers are pouring out their prayers, under divine rebukes, for more complete deliverance.
Let us never fear, lest these travailing pains should produce nothing but wind and confusion, though "the kingdoms of the earth are" not yet "become the kingdoms of Christ." The hopes of the disciples of old seemed to be buried in the Redeemer's grave: but beyond expectation, he revived, and their hopes revived with him. The same power will perform every remaining promise and prophecy, till death be swallowed up in victory.
The grace of our God can soon render this barren wilderness like the garden of Eden: his providence can readily remove every obstruction; and nothing can be impossible to him, whose voice shall at length be heard by all that are in the graves, and they shall come forth to everlasting life, or everlasting damnation. (Note, John 5:28,29.) Let us then keep close to him, and separate from the world: let us give ourselves unto prayer, and seek our comfort in secret devotion: ( Note , Matt . 6:6.) thus we shall be safe from indignant foes, and may cheerfully expect the blessings promised in the word of God.
Thus, even the grave will form a chamber to hide us from the power of the enemy, until the indignation is overpast, and our full redemption come.
But let the ungodly tremble at these words: the Lord is at hand "to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity:" he will then detect every secret wickedness; and no heart can conceive the discoveries which shall be made, "when the earth shall disclose her blood, more cover her slain." Let then sinnealno from the wrath to come, whilst the Judge is upon the mercy-seat, dispensing pardons: speedily he will remove to his awful judgmentseat, from which he will denounce and execute deserved punishment upon all unbelievers; but especially on those who have shed the blood of his saints and martyrs, from enmity to his holy image and holy religion.
NOTES.
CHAP. XXVII. V. 1. ( Note , 26:20,21.) This 'chapter treats of the same subject with the 'two former, and describes that happy state of 'the church, when Satan and his agents shall 'be subdued, the church shall be enlarged and
the briers and thorns against me in battle? I I would go through them, I would burn them together.
5 Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; Pand he shall make peace with me.
4:3. Matt. 3:12. Heb. 6:8. Or, march against.
ο 25:4. 26:3,4. 45:24. 56:2. 64:7. Josh. 9:24,25. 10:6. Job 22:21. Luke 13:34. 14:32. 19:42. Heb. 6:18.
p 57:19. Ez. 34:25,26. Hos. 2: 18-20. Rom. 5:1--10. 2 Cor. 5:19-21. Eph. 2:16,17. Col. 1:20,21.
'purged from idolatry, and the Jews shall be re'stored: all which are circumstances attending those glorious days, which the prophets often 'foretel shall come to pass at or near the end of the 'world.' Lowth .
In the day when God shall "come forth from his place, to punish the wicked," and especially the persecutors of his church: he will also inflict vengeance on leviathan. (Notes, Rev. 19:17-21. 20:1-3.) Persecuting tyrants, ambitious conquerors and oppressors, and idolatrous empires, are often represented in scripture, under the emblem of destructive animals, especially leviathans and dragons; and preceding deliverances of the church by the destruction of her oppressors may be alluded to. ( Notes , 51:9-11. Ps . 74:13-17. Jer. 51:34-37.
Ez. 29:2-5.) Yet the punishment of Satan, rather than that of any of his agents, at the crisis before mentioned, seems more immediately predicted. From the repetition of the word "leviathan," it is probable, that more than one terrible animal was called by that name; ( Notes , Job 41:1-11.
Ps . 104:25,26.) and the word )תנין( rendered "dragon" is translated elsewhere "sea monster." ( Lam . 4:3.) 4:3.) Many people and nations are meant by "the sea" and Satan the old dragon gave his power to the beast which the apostle saw rise out of the sea. ( Notes , Rev. 12:3-6,7-12, v. 9. 13:1,4. 17:15-18, v. 15.) This great enemy of God and his church is the most terrible and destructive of creatures. Immense subtlety, malignity, ambition, and power unite in him.
He has long fatally deceived all the nations of the earth, except the remnant, "whose names are written in the book of life, of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world;" ( Rev. 12:9.
Notes , 13:810, v . 8. 13-17, v. 14.) so that he has dwelt among them and reigned over them as their god and prince: and his chief seat, as spoken of in these prophecies, has long been fixed in that great city, which, one way or other, has always affected to rule over the nations. ( Rev. 17:18.) - He prophesieth here of the destruction of Satan and and his kingdom, under the name of leviathan.'-God will however a length make the sword of his almighty vengeance, which is exceedingly sharp, and great, and strong, to reach unto him.
Then the old serpent will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit, his power will cease, all his obstinate servants and adherents will be cut off, and the earth be overspread with truth and righteousness.
Piercing.] "Crossing like a bar." Marg
6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root; Israel shall blossom, and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
7 Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?
8 In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth "his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin: when he maketh all 10-16. Jer. 2:17-37. Hos. 4:1. 6:1,2. 11:7-9. Mic. 6:25.
q 6:13. 37:31.49:20-23.54:1-3. 60:22. Jer. 30:19. Hos. 2:23. 14:5,6. Zech. 2:11. 10:8,9. Rom. 11:16-26. Gal. 3:29. Phil. 3:3. Rev. 11:15.
г 10:20-25. 14:22,23. 17:3,14. Jer. 30:11-16.50:33,34,40, 51: 24. Dan. 2:31-35. Nah. 1: 14. 3:19.
* Heb. according to the stroke of those.
$ 57:16. Job 23:6. Ps. 6:1. 38: 1. 103:14. Jer. 10:24. 30:11. 46: 28. 1 Cor. 10:13. 1 Pet. 1:6. † Or, thou sendest it forth.
t 1:5,18-20, 5:3,4. Judg. 10:
Or, when he removeth. u 10:5,6,12. Ps. 76:10. 78:38. Jer. 4:11,27. Ez. 19:12. Hos. 13:15.
x 1:24,25. 4:4. 48:10. Ps. 119: 67,71. Prov. 20:30. Marg . Ez. 20:38, 24:13. Dan.11:35. Mal. 3:2,3. 1 Cor. 11:32. Heb. 12: 9-11.
y 2 Kings 25:9,13-17. 2 Chr. 36:19. Ezra 3:2,3. Ez. 11:18. 24:11-14.
Probably the word means nimbly penetrating ; as the other word crooked , means winding winding this or that way. Job 5:13. Notes, Gen. 3:1. Ps . 125:4,5. Prov. 2:15.)
the stones of the altar as chalk-stones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.
10 Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof..
11 When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding; therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favor.
12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the
z 1:29. 2:12-21. 17:8. Hos. 14: | d 1:3.44:18-20. Deut. 4:6. 32: 8. Mic. 5:13,14. Zech. 13:2. 28,29. Jer. 4:22. 5:4,5,21,22. 8:7. Matt. 13:15,19. Rom. 1: 28,31.
Or, sun-images. 2 Chr. 14: 5. 34.4. Marg .
a 5:9,10. 6:11,12, 17:9. 25:2. 64: 10. Jer. 26:6,18. Lam. 1:4. 2: 5-9.5:13. Ez. 36:4. Mic. 3: 12. Luke 19:43,44. 21:20-24. b 7:25. 17:2, 32:13,14.
c Ps. 80:15,16. Ez. 15:2-8. 20: 47. Matt. 3:10. John 15:6.
e Gen. 6:6,7. Deut. 32:18-25. 2 Chr. 36:16,17. Ps. 106:40. Ez. 9:10. 1 Thes. 2:16. 2 Thes. 1:8,9. Jam. 2:13.
f 11:11-16. 24:13-16. 56:8. Gen. 15:18. Ps. 68:22, 72:8.
'state of the Jews after their conversion, which 'shall be as new "life from the dead," as St. Paul expresses it, Rom . 11:15. and shall occa'the church. Lowth . (Notes, Rom . 11:11gentiles coming into 11:11-36.) -What event has yet occurred, which can be in the least thought a fulfilment of this proph
'sion the fulness of the gentiles co ( Notes , 5:1. Ps . 80:8-13. Jer . 2:
V.2-6. (Notes, 20,21. Matt . 21:33-39. John 15:1—8.) :1-8.) When these events begin to take place, place, let believers "sing unto," or concerning, the church, "A vineyard of red wine:" that is, of the most valued wine. ( Prov . 23:31.) The visible church | will not then bear wild grapes, but excellent fruit in abundance. ( Notes , 5:2-7.) The Lord will guard it night and day from harm, and "water it every moment," with the influences of his Spirit.
He never was angry with his church, in the same way, that he is with his enemies, and at that period his anger will be turned away from her. ( Notes , 11:11-16. 12: 1-3.) His severest judgments are not intended against the vines, but against thorns and briers; the hypocrites within, and the enemies around the visible church, who set themselves in battle against him. These are fuel for the fire of his vengeance, and he will go through and burn them up together, with the utmost ease. ( Marg .
Ref . m, n.) But if any one fears this destruction, let him, by faith and prayer, arrest, as it were, the uplifted arm of God; let him "take hold of his Strength" of Christ, "the Arm of the Lord;" or, the gospel, "the power of God unto salvation;" let him seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and protection; let him thus engage the power of God on his side; and he shall not seek in vain. (Notes, Jer. 29:1114. Ez . 36:37,38.
Zech. 12:9-14.)-But, whatever may become of individuals, the nation of "Israel will certainly take root, and blossom, and bud, and cover the face of the world with fruit." Probably, the fall of the papal antichrist, forming a remarkable fulfilment of the prophecies, will be the means of the conversion of Israel; and this event will prepare the way for the universal promulgation of the gospel. Then all nations will be grafted into that olive-tree, of which Abraham, or Israel, was the root, and thus this prophecy will have its exact accomplishment. ( Marg . Ref .) - 'These
words are a description of the flourishing
ecy, in its plain and full meaning?-Bishop Lowth forms these verses into a dialogue, between JEHOVAH and the church; in which he is followed by Mr. Faber: but no less than six alterations of the letters in the text, as it stands in our present Hebrew Bibles, are required by it. I am not competent to say, whether these are made on adequate authority or not; but they are not at all needful.
V.7-11. The punishments inflicted on Israel, though dreadful, had not been, nor would be, like those with which their oppressors had been visited. Amalek has been utterly destroyed. The Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Macedonian, and Roman empires, which successively harassed and oppressed Israel, have been subverted, and the conquered people lost among the conquerors. But the Jews still continue a distinct and numerous nation; an unparalleled instance, of a people surviving so many ages all their conquerors. ( Notes , Num . 23:9. Deut . 32:26,27.
Jer . 30:10,11.) They are evidently preserved as monuments of the truth of their own scriptures, as well as of the New Testament; and in order to the performance of the ancient prophecies concerning them.
So that, after all the massacres which have been made of them, they have not been "slain according to the slaughter of them that slew them ." When the Lord sent forth the afflicting stroke on Israel, he did it in measure," and debated with them under their sufferings: when he caused the rough and chilling east wind to blow, he stayed or moderated it; that is, he would not suffer any national judgment to extirpate them.
Nay, their calamities were intended for their reformation; these national punishments in some sense expiated their guilt as a collective body, and they would be made effectual to purge away the pollution of their sins. Thus when the Chaldeans took away
the brass of their altar, and burnt the stones, with the temple and city, as it were, to lime; their groves and images were also destroyed, and their idolatry finally abolished. This was
the effect of their calamities as graciously over-ed, and to his malice, enmity, and extensive or
ruled for the good of survivors; and not the condition of their pardon, as some explain it. -The Lord, however, had determined that Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, should be desolated, and the land be left altogether uncultivated. (Notes, 6:11,12. 7:17-25.) This dispensation would resemble the pruning of a vine; when the worthless branches are either devoured green by the cattle, or gathered up for burning after they are withered. ( Notes , 6:13. Ez . 15: John 15:1-8.) The wicked Jews would, in immense numbers be devoured by their enemies, and consumed by the fiery indignation of God.
For, being wilfully destitute of understanding, ( Notes , 6:9,10. John 3: 29-21.) and refusing to profit, either by the warnings, judgments, or mercies of God, they would be exposed to the utmost severity of his justice; without any compassion being shewn them, on account of their relation to him, either as his creatures, or as his professed worshippers. This has been far more awfully verified, in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and in its long continued conse
and execute condign punishment on the stoutest and most sagacious enemies of God; and every offender's misery will be proportioned to the talents and power which he has abusdurable mischievousness: and as "the devil and his angels" will assuredly be tormented for ever in the lake of fire; let none of his servants expect to escape the same doom, if they continue in their sins. ( Note , Matt . 25:41-46.) -When Satan shall be restrained, and his determined factors cut off, the people of God shall flourish, and believers will abound in joyful songs of praise. -The Lord will always value his true church, on account of the precious plants with which he has stored it, and the precious fruit that it produces to his glory.
May our souls, as belonging to it, be continually watered and kept, that we may abound in "the fruits of the Spirit," in "all goodness, righteousness, and truth!"-The Lord never punishes unreasonably, or excessively, as men do in a fury, or passion: his anger is removed from every believer, and he "waits to be gracious" to all who repent and seek his face. But briers and thorns are as able to resist the devouring fire, as the hypocrite or infidel is to stand in judgment before him, or to out-brave his vengeance. Flight, concealment, or re
quences, than it was by the Babylonish cap-sistance are, in this case, alike unavailing: nor
tivity. (Notes, Gen. 49:10. Deut . 4:25-28. 28: 49-67.32:19,20. Hos . 3:4,5.)
can the sinner escape, but by drawing near to his offended Lord, humbly confessing his sin, and casting himself wholly upon his mercy through Jesus Christ: thus be disarms his resentment, effects a reconciliation, and engages omnipotence on his side.
If we are engrafted into the living Vine, we should expect and pray for that time, when the progeny of Jacob shall again take root in a fruitful soil, and shall "bud, and blossom, and fill the face of the world with fruit." Indeed we may be said to be bound in gratitude to pray for the conversion of the poor Jews, and to promote it, by kind usage, argument, and earnest persuasion.
Through that nation we have received the lively oracles of God; the condition of it, for many ages past, forms the most incontestable proof of of their divine original; and the Jews live among us as a continued warning and instruction. ( Note , Zech. 8:20-23.) No No people has ever so suffered, and been so preserved: but there is yet a blessing in the root, and their conversion will be as life from the dead to all the nations of the world. ( Note , Rom . 11 : 11-15 .) Then the great trumpet shall every where sound; unnumbered multitudes of perishing sinners shall be gathered to Christ through converting grace, and shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
Whilst we expect those happy times, let us recollect, that the Lord does not deal with his professed worshippers, as he does with his avowed enemies. He so moderates every storm of persecution or affliction, that the church shall weather it out. The trials also of each believer shall be so appointed in wise and faithful measure, and The sword of avenging justice, in the hand be attended with such instructions, and such a blessing, that they will tend to purge away in
Debate with it, &c. (8) "In just measure, when thou inflictest the stroke, wilt thou debate with her: with due deliberation, even in the rough tempests, in the day of the east wind." Bp . Lowth .
V. 12, 13. These verses predict the restoration of the Jews after the captivity; and under that typical event, the recovery of Israel from their present dispersions.
At Cyrus's proclamation, they, "whose hearts the LORD stirred up , " ( Note , Ezra 1:1-4.) " from the channel of the river Euphrates, to the river of Egypt," (Note, Gen. 15:18-21.) that is, from all the different places, in which they were scattered, were gathered one by one, as fruit is beaten off from the tree: ( Note , 17:4-9.) and thus they, who had been in the most abject servitude, in the land of Assyria, or a, or Chaldea, and the poorest of them especially; with many of those of the ten tribes, and some of the outcasts who had taken refuge in Egypt; ret returned to rebuild the temple, and worship God at Jerusalem.But the preaching of the gospel seems especially to be intended by the "blowing of the great trumpet." ( Notes , 18:3.
Num . 10:2-10. Zech . 9:13-17. Matt . 24:29-31.) By this, the Lord will collect the abject and outcast Jews and Israelites, who are lost in their present dispersions, into his church, number them with his accepted worshippers, and probably reinstate them in their own land. ( Notes , 11:1116. 12: Ez . 20:33-38,40-44. Am . 9:7-10.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
of omnipotence, will readily reach, penetrate,
CHAP. XXVII.
summer; which when he that looketh upon The speedy ruin of Ephraim, for pride and excess, is denounced, it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he
1-4. God will be the Glory and Strength of the residue of his people, 5, 6. The Jews are severely reproved for drunkenness. unteachableness, and carnal security, 7-15. Christ, as the sure Foundation, is promised, 16. The presumptuous se
#eateth it up.
5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts curity of scorners will end in destruction, 17-22. The wisdom be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem
of Providence is illustrated, by the discretion of the husbandman as given by God, 23-29.
of beauty, unto the residue of his people; 6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink: they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
4 And the glorious beauty, which is on† Heb. swalloweth. the head of the fat valley, & shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the
a 3. Hos. 5:5. 6:10.
b 7.5:11,22. Prov. 23:29. Hos. 4:11. 7:5. Am. 2:8,12.6:6.
с 4. 7:8,9. 3:4. 2 Kings 14:2527. 15:29. 18:10-12. 2 Chr. 28:6. 30.6,7. Am. 6:1.
* Heb. broken.
d 9:9-12. 27.1. Ez. 30:10,11. e 15-19. 8:7,8. 25:4. 29:6. 30:30. Ez. 13.11. Nah. 1:8. Matt.
7:25-27. Rev. 18:8.
f 25:10. 26:6. 2 Kings 9:33. Lam. 1:15. Dan. 8:13. Heb. 10:29. Rev. 11:2.
iquity and to promote his sanctification. Thus the fruitful branches are made more fruitful, while hypocrites are broken off and cast into the fire: and when death shall utterly demolish the poor body, sin shall be finally extirpated from the true Christian, and the body shall at length be raised incorruptible and glorious, to share with the soul eternal holiness and felicity. But "in this world, we must have tribulation:" no man can fence out trouble; and they, whose troubles are not made subservient to sanctification, will find them terminate in eternal misery. At present the Lord is upon a mercy-seat, and they only have understanding, who seize the present oppor ty of reconciliation to him: for when he shall remove to his tribunal, he will have no mercy on any of our race, who would not in this life know and consider the day of their visitation; neither will he shew the least favor to them for ever. ( Note , 2 Thes . 1:5-10.)
NOTES.
opportuni- i