CHAP. XXIX. V. 1, 2.
The subject of this 'and the four following chapters is the invasion 'of Sennacherib; the great distress of the Jews 'while it continued; their sudden and unex'pected deliverance by God's immediate inter'position in their favor; the subsequent pros'perous state of the kingdom under Hezekiah; 'interspersed with severe reproofs, and threats 'of punishment, for their hypocrisy, stupidity, 'infidelity, their want of trust in God, and their 'vain reliance on the assistance of Egypt, and 'with promises of better times, both immedi'ately to succeed, and to be expected in the 'future age....
Though the matter is various, 'and the transitions sudden, yet the prophet 'seldom goes far from his subject.' Bp . Lowth . Jerusalem is here called "Ariel," which signifies the lion of God : and some think that it refers to the standard of Judah, which is said, though with little probability, to have been a lion; or to Christ the Lion of that tribe, or to the strength of the city. (Notes, Num. 2:2. Rev. 5: 5-7. But probably, it relates to the altar of burnt-offering, which consumed the sacrifices, as a lion devours his prey.
Perhaps the Jews sometimes called the city by this name; and trusted that it would prevail against every assailant, because of the sacrifices there offered. But though David had taken it from the Jebusites, fixed his residence there, and removed the ark of the covenant thither; yet God denounced a woe against it.
And though the people continued from year to year to observe their solemn feasts, and to multiply their sacrifices; yet the Lord would surely distress the city, and fill it with trouble and sorrow; and it should be unto him "as Ariel." As the altar, flaming with the sacred fire, consuming the oblations, and surrounded with the blood and carcasses of the sacrifices, was a typical display || like those that had familiar spirits, who affect
V. 3, 4. Sennacherib sent an army, under Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh, against Jerusalem; but no intimation is given that they closely besieged the city: ( Notes , 2 Kings 18: 17-25. 19:8.) and it is expressly said that Sennacherib should not encamp against it. (37:33.) Again, when the Assyrian chiefs approached Jerusalem, Hezekiah sent ambassadors to them; yet they made no humiliating submissions, but having heard Rabshakeh's insulting and blasphemous menaces, they answered him not a word. (36:31,32.
Note , 2 Kings 18:36,37.) No doubt numbers of the Jews were extremely dejected, and ready to make any submissions: but the language of these verses seems to imply, that the city should be closely environed and at length taken, and laid even with the ground: and, in this full meaning, the prophecy had its accomplishment, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the by the Chaldeans; and after wards by the Romans. It is very natural to suppose, that many of the surviving Jews, when thus reduced to extremities, would in the most abject manner beg their lives of the haughty conquerors.
Instead of their former confident and presumptuous language, they would express themselves with the most timid and servile entreaties, and doleful complaints;
that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant, suddenly.
6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a nightvision.
8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
ed to speak in a feeble, shrill, whining tone, as if from the belly; or as if the voice came up out of the earth, while they lay grovelling on the ground. ( Note , 8:19.)-As one that hath a fa miliar spirit . )4( כאוב Note Num . 21:10 .
V. 5, 6. These verses' (5-7.) 'contain an 'admirable description of the destruction of 'Sennacherib's army, with a beautiful variety 'of the most expressive and sublime images: 'perhaps more adapted to shew the greatness, the suddenness, and horror of that event, than 'the means and manner by which it was effect'ed. Comp. 30:30-33.' Bp. Lowth. The predictions seem also to relate to all the subsequent calamities of the Jews, till the final ruin of Jerusalem.
Sennacherib's invasion formed the first fulfilment; and many circumstances, in the plain and full meaning of them, belong them, belong to that event: but the prophet might be led to use language, which was afterwards exactly accomplished, but could be understood only in a more general and qualified sense, concerning the distresses occasioned by those invaders. - Sennacherib's army, composed of various nations, all strangers to God and Israel, terrible for courage and ferocity, and insolent through success, seemed innumerable as the dust: yet they would be driven away as the chaff, and vanquished by a single blow "at an instant, suddenly." ( Notes , 2 Kings 19:35.
Ps . 46:6. 48:4-8.)-Their approach to Jerusalem was, however, a visitation from God, and occasioned terror and alarm, like thunders, earthquakes, storms, and tempests, and was destructive as a devouring fire. Or, the Assyrian army may be meant; called "thy strangers;" (5) and the sudden and dreadful slaughter of a hundred and eighty-five thousand men at once, by the angel, may be predicted. ( Notes , 10:28 -34. 17:12-14.30:29-33.) - Perhaps there is also an intimation that the Jews, not duly profiting by their deliverance from the Assyrians, would afterwards be destroyed in this man
9 Stay yourselves, Pand wonder; cry ye out, and cry; they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and shath closed your eyes: the prophets, and your trulers, the seers hath he covered.
11 And the vision of all is become unto you, as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed.
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
13 Wherefore the Lord said, Foras
p 1:2. 33:13,14. Jer. 2:12. Hab. 1:5. Acts 13:40,41. Rev. 17: 6.
* Or, take your pleasure and riot. 22:12,13. Matt. 26:45. Mark 14:41.
q 10. 19:14. 28:7,8. 49:26. 51:21, 22. Jer. 23:9. 25:27.51:7. Lam. 4:21.
г 14. 6:9,10. 1 Sam. 26:12. Ps. 69:23. Mic. 3:6. Acts 28:26, 27. Rom. 11:8.
s 44:18. Ez. 14:9.
2 Cor. 4:4.
2 Thes. 2:9-12.
† Heb. heads. 3:2,3. Mic. 3:1. t 30:10. 1 Sam. 9:9. Jer. 26: 8-11. Am. 7:12,13.
Or, letter .
u 8:16.
x Dan. 12:4,9. Matt. 11:25. 13. 11. 16:17. Rev. 5:1,5-9.6:1. y 18. 28:12,13. Jer. 5:4. Hos. 4:6. John 7:15,16.
z 10:6. 48:1,2. 58:2,3. Ps. 17:1. Jer. 3:10. 5:2. 12:2. 42:2-4,20. Ez. 33:31-33. Matt. 15:7-9.
-Thou shalt be visited , &c. (6) "From JЕНОVAH God of hosts, there shall be a sudden visitation." Bp . Lowth .
V. 7, 8. The transient joy, sanguine hopes, and speedy ruin of the enemies of the Jews, and of the church, are here represented by a very beautiful simile. A man, who, being hungry or thirsty, falls asleep, and dreams that he is eating or drinking, seems to enjoy much pleasure from the visionary gratification: but it soon vanishes; and, his craving wants and faintness continuing when he awakes, his disappointment aggravates his uneasiness.
Thus the multitude of the nations, who, nations, who, through succeeding generatio generations fight against mount Zion, where the altar, or worship of God, Go is established, have their enmity gratified by transient successes; and, as it were, dream with pleasure and triumphant exultation of effecting the destruction of the church: but the delusion soon vanishes, and leaves them disappointed and miserable.
The Assyrians had swallowed up Jerusalem in their imagination; but God should 'suddenly disappoint all their hopes, and send them away empty and confounded.' Lowth. ( Note , Ps. 73:18-22, v . 20.) Not only was Sennacherib's army at once destroyed, and his sanguine hopes thus frustrated; but the Assyrian, Babylonian, Macedonian, and Roman empires, successively, declined and came to ruin, after they had fought against mount Zion: and thus it must be with every nation and individual, which engages in that unequal contest. ( Notes , Zech . 12:2—5. 14:1-3,12—19.)
V. 9-12. The Jews were here earnestly called on to pause, reflect, be amazed, and cry out as in bitter anguish, on account of the judgments which were coming on the nation. Or ironically, "Take your pleasure and riot." ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . *) They were, and would be, intoxicated with presumption and false doctrine, and rendered insensible to their danger: and the Lord would make them drink
ner. The last siege and taking of Jerusalem of the cup of his indignation, till they staggerwas attended by dreadful thunders, earth-ed as drunken men. ( Marg . Ref . q.- Note , 51 quakes, &c. ( Marg . Ref . i.- Note , Zech . 14:4,5.) || 17-23.) Because they despised his word, and much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and
18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek also shall increase their
their works are in the dark, and they say, joy in the LORD, and the poor among men
Who seeth us? and who knoweth
16 Surely & your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed h as the potter's
shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
In the days of Christ, they were very tenacious of their forms: but by the traditions of the elders they "rendered the commandment of God of none effect;" and almost all their religion consisted in superstition, formality, and hypocrisy. (Note, Matt. 15:7-9.) The Lord would therefore proceed again to do a marvellous work: he would entirely give up their teachers and counsellors to be infatuated to their ruin; leave Jerusalem to be desolated; and cast off the Jews from being his people. ( Notes , 9-12. 6:9,10. 28:21,22. Jer. 8:8,9. John 9:39-41. 1 Cor . 1:17-24.) All schemes to hide their iniquity, or to varnish over their malice under specious pretexts, as if they could impose on God and hide their character from
rejected his salvation, he had "poured upon them the spirit of deep sleep," and given them up to judicial blindness; and especially their prophets, rulers, and teachers of every description, were covered with darkness, as if hood-winked: so that the visions or prophecies which were sent them, though plain enough in themselves, were utterly inexplicable to them. ( Note , 6:9,10. 28:9-11. Mic . 3:5-7.
Acts 28:23-29. 2 Cor . 2:12-16. 2 Thes . 2:8-12.) Their learned men, when asked to interpret them, being blinded by prejudices and passions, excused themselves on account of the book being sealed: intimating that the predictions were so enveloped in obscurity, that, if there were any meaning in them, it could not be discovered and the poor alleged their want of learning, as the reason of their contempt and inattention: so that in fact "the oracles of God" became of no use to them.
The apostle applies this to the state of the Jews in his days: ( Note , Rom . 11:7-10.) and doubtless it had its principal accomplishment, when the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Jewish nation, rejected and crucified their promised and long expected Messiah, and persecuted persecuted his apostles and disciples; and and in the state of that nation to this present present day; whilst, with the scriptures of the prophets in their hands, and being conver-come a vessel by its own energy: or change the
Nazareth.-'Prejudice
sant in the letter of them, the book is so sealed, that neither the learned nor unlearned among them can discern, rn, that they were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.-'Prejudice doth as much 'hinder the learned from understanding God's 'word, as ignorance doth the unlearned. Lowth . V. 13-16. Many of the Jews, through through s successive ages, adhered to the external worship of God, and thus "honored him with their lips:" but in general their hearts were alienated from him, through the love of sin and worldly things; and their religion was induced, or regulated, merely by regard to human authority. Thus, in the days of Hezekiah, and their other ious kings, they adhered to the temple-worship and kept their solemn feasts; but when "the precept of man" no longer called them to the sanctuary, they turned from it to idolatry.
him; all their perversions of his word, to estab lish their own traditions; and all their opposi- tion to his counsels, to support their own au- thority and reputation, would be as ineffectual, as if the potter's clay could attempt to disan- nul, or find fault with, the work of him who wrought it. They could no more resist his will, than the clay could that of the potter: he could as easily defeat their schemes, as the potter alters the shape of the clay.
They could no more succeed in their enterprises, enterprises, when God rejected them, than the clay the clay could be-shape into which the potter cast it, whether he had formed it a "vessel unto honor or to dishonor." ( Marg . arg . Ref . Ref . - Notes , Notes , 5:1 5:18,19.45:9-11. Jer . 18:1-10. Rom . 9:19-23.2 Tim . 2:20-22.) - 'The most refined arts of their deep politi'cians, shall not avail their authors nor be able 'to preserve them from God's judgments: and their learnedest men shall lose their judgment 'and discretion.
This threatening was re'markably verified under the gospel, when 'their crucifying Christ out of fear of the Ro'man power, brought the Romans upon them: 'and their learned Rabbies ever since have 'minded little else, but fabulous stories, and 'their Cabbalists have vented trifles for pro'found mysteries.' Lowth .
V. 17.-19. These verses seem wholly to relate to the rejection of the Jewish nation,
and the calling of the Gentiles. In a little time, Lebanon would become Carmel; the uncultivated forest would be a fruitful field: the Gentile nations would be favored with the abundant sowing of the good seed of "the word of God," and yield a plentiful harvest of true converts: at the same time, the field, which had long been tilled and yielded fruit, would be esteemed a forest; that is, the nation of the Jews, would be rejected, and left without the means of grace, to become barren and desert. (Notes, 24:13—16. 32:9–15. 35:1,2. 49:5,6. 55: 11,12.65:13-16. Ez . 17:22-24.
Rom . 11:1632.) Then they, who before were deaf to the voice of God, would hear and understand the words of that book, which was sealed up from the unbelieving Jews; ( Note , 9-12.) and the poor blind heathens, emerging from their obscurity and darkness, would enjoy the marvellous light of the gospel. ( Notes , 32:3-5. 35:5 -7.42:13-17. Acts 26:16-18. Eph . 5:8-14.) Perhaps the miracles of Christ and his apostles, might also be alluded to.
Then the teachable, the meek, and poor in spirit, and the poor and afflicted of this world, would rejoice more abundantly in the Lord, because of the wretched condition, from which they had been delivered; nay, they would be more joyful, than believing Jews in general had been. ( Marg . Ref . -Notes, 61:1-3,10,11. Zeph . 3:14-17. Phil . 4:1,4.)
Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field . (17) "Ere Lebanon become like Carmel." A Mashal, or proverbial saying, expressing any 'great revolution of things; and when respect'ing two subjects, an entire reciprocal change: 'explained here by some interpreters, I think 'with great probability, as having its principal 'view beyond the revolutions then near at hand, 'to the rejection of the Jews, and the calling of 'the Gentiles. ... Carmel stands here opposed to 'Lebanon, and therefore is to be taken as a 'proper name.' Bp. Lowth.
V. 20, 21. 'By the terrible one, we are to un'derstand the foreign enemies of God's people; (5, 25:4,5.) and by the scorner, those skeptics 'and infidels, that lived among them and made 'a mock at God's messengers and what they 'said. (Comp. 28:14,22.) ... Who condemn men 'for speaking the truth, as they often served 'the prophets, or for so slight a matter as an 'unwary expression. ... It was the custom for 'the judges to execute their office at the gates 'of the city. ( Deut . 21:19. 22:15. Ruth 4:1,11.)' Lowth . No doubt this was the case, in the days of Isaiah and at many other times. ( Notes , 28: 5-15 . Am . 5:10-13.) It is however evident, that when our Lord came, the rulers, priests, scribes, and sanhedrim of the Jews, most ex
24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
a 44:21-26, 45:17,25. 46:3,4. 49: | c 5:16. 8:13. Lev. 10:3. Matt. 7,&c. 60:1-9.61:7-11. Jer. 6:9. Rev. 11:15-17. 30:5-7,10. 31:10-12. 33:2426. Ez. 37:24-28.39:25-29. 40:-48: Joel 2:27. Rom. 11: 11,&c.
b 19:25. 43:21. 45:11. 60:21. Eph. 2:10.
d Hos. 3:5. Rev. 15:4. 19:5. e 10,11.28:7. Zech. 12:10. Matt. 21:28-32. Luke 7:47. 15:1719. Acts 2:37. 6:7. 9:19,20. 1 Tim. 1:13-15. Rev. 20:2,3. * Heb. know understanding.
actly answered this description. Herod, the king of the Jews, persecuted Christ as soon as he was born: the others despised and derided him; they lay in wait to find some accusation against him; they watched for his words and perverted them, and laid snares for him when he publicly reproved their sins, being determined to condemn him for any word which they could lay hold of; and they turned aside, rejected, and crucified this Just One, on the most frivolous pretences. They behaved in the same manner to his apostles and ministers, and were the chief persecutors of the Christians, till Jerusalem was destroyed: then that terrible enemy came to nought, and was cut off; and this tended to establish Christianity, and to increase the joy of believers. The words may also be applied to the subversion of the Pagan persecuting Roman empire, which tended farther to the promulgation of the gospel. (Notes, Zech. 14:1-3. Rev. 12:1 -6.)
V.22-24. God did not intend to reject all the posterity of Abraham and Jacob, that these his redeemed servants should be, as it were, ashamed and wax pale. The Jews and Israelites, who embraced Christianity, would acknowledge the converted Gentiles, as the work of God's new creating grace, and as their spiritual children: ( Notes , 19:23-25.41: 8,9.60:15-22. Rom . 11:11-15. Gal . 3:26-29. Eph . 2:4-10, v . 10.) and their believing descendants would be excited to trust, honor, and worship the Holy One of Jacob, with greater fervency, for this immense accession to the church. Multitudes even of those Jews who had erred in spirit, and murmured against Christ, and malignantly opposed his gospel, would come to a better temper, and understand and receive his doctrine: nay, at length, the whole Jewish nation will be converted to Christ, and re-admitted into the church.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-8.
External privileges and distinctions will not exempt from woe, any of those, who are destitute of true godliness. Men may persist in an attendance on wearisome and expensive forms, nay, even on the instituted ordinances of God, and glory in their supposed relation to him, when the whole of their apparent devotion consists of pride and hypocrisy. When he encamps against the strong holds of his adversaries, they will soon be brought low. Such, as refuse to humble themselves before him in submission to his righteousness, and obedience to his will, will soon be abased to the most extreme distress: and none are more CHAP. Xxx.
The people are threatened for considing in Egypt, and for despising God and his word, 1-17. Promises of returning mer
abject in adversity, than those who are insolent and scornful in prosperity. The Lord employs wicked men to chastise his people, and to avenge himself on hypocrites; and numbers are ready enough of themselves for such services. But at the same time, he prepares sudden destruction for them also: and his enemies shall be visited with vengeance more tremendous, than earthquakes, thunders, tempests, or conflagrations can suggest to the imagination. All their sanguine expectations and transient joys, will be like a pleasing dream.
Speedily will they awake from their soothing delusions; and if these continue till death, they will then lift up their eyes in hell, and not find one drop of water to cool their tongue. Then indeed, "it shall be, as when a hungry man dreameth that he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: when a thirsty man dreameth that he drinketh; but he awaketh, and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite." ( Notes , Luke 12:15-21. 16:22 --26.) But the disappointment and misery of those who fight against the Church, and exult in the expectation of destroying it, will be the most aggravated.
And every nation, which involves itself in the guilt of persecution, lays the axe to the root of its own peace and pros
perity.
V. 9-16.
Pride, ambition, avarice, lust, or any headstrong passion produces a perfect intoxication of the soul; and so do erroneous principles in religion: hence originates the most inconsiderate and infatuated conduct, by which men rush upon their own destruction.
This should caution every one not to sin against conviction; not to scoff at divine truth; and not to lean to his own understanding or heart, and so despise the teaching and salvation of God: for thus he is provoked to pour on numbers "the spirit of deep sleep," or "strong delusion:" then they grope at noon-day, as if it were midnight; and the most learned and sagacious, without excepting high priests, or chief priests, rulers, and teachers, are covered with impenetrable error and ignorance.
To such persons the Bible becomes absolutely a "sealed book:" and when the learned find that they cannot understand it, and make it accord to their conjectures, they impute it to its want of correctness; and either wholly
cies and glorious times to the church, 18-26. A prediction of the destruction of the army and king of Assyria; involving still greater events yet future, 27-33.
name and the day of God! And, of those who are not openly profane, it is to be feared, that very great numbers are formalists, while sin and the world possess their hearts; and their religion is only a compliance with established customs, and regulated in subserviency to reputation and interest.
Yet, let it be observed, that, those wanderings of mind, and that defect of reverence and devotion, which are the believer's grief and burden, are very different from the alienation of heart from God, here so severely reproved: for the former consists with sincerity, though it is a lamentable proof of imperfection. As sinners grow hardened in hypocrisy, impiety, or infidelity, their presumption increases: and hypocrites ypocrites especially cannot be con convinced, that God intends to do so "marvellous a work," as to punish them for their wickedness.
The wise and prudent men, of this world, are often strangely infatuated, and fall into practical, and speculative atheism; and speak and act, as if they could hide their sins, their intentions, or their true character, from God, or frustrate his counsels. But they will find themselves in his hand, as "clay in the hand of the potter:' and as they can have no fence against his power; so their rebellion against his authority, and contempt of his truth, will tend to the display of his justice in their condemnation. By such conduct many other churches, es, as a well as
ated,
practical, and even into
that of the Jews, have provoked God to be
reave them of their advantages; and the blessings of salvation have been communicated to
others in their stead.
V. 17-24.
When the Lord teaches, "the deaf hear" his word, and "the blind see out of obscurity.' When he comforts, the meek, the poor, and the persecuted, "increase their joy in him;' and that holiness of character in God, which sinners hate and dread, inspires believers, in their happiest hours, with confidence and exultation. When by his power terrible persecutors and presumptuous scorners are cut off the church enjoys peace. And let such, as "watch for iniquity," and scrutinize the actions of Christians and ministers with malicious severity, in order to find matter of accusation; who wait to catch at some word from their lips, for which they may make them offenders; who lay snares for those, that bold
reject or neglect it or pervert it by presump-ly and honestly reprove sin, without respect of
tuous alterations, and unnatural comments: and the unlearned are glad of a sanction to their ignorance and impiety. Instead of despising the poor Jews, who have long been left in this situation, we ought to look to ourselves, and take warning by their example. And let us remember that the Bible is, in some measure, a sealed book to every man, learned or unlearned, till he begins to study it with
persons; and who revile and persecute the righteous on every trivial occasion: let such men recollect that they copy the example of the scornful Jews, and of those who crucified Christ, persecuted his disciples, and brought upon themselves swift destruction.-But the Lord will replenish his Church, and never suffer any of his redeemed servants to be ashamed, or to wax pale, by witnessing the perma
child-like simplicity and docility; daily pray-nent triumphs of his enemies. Numbers of
ing that the Lord would "open his understanding, that he may understand the Scriptures," and honestly aiming to practise according to the instructions which he has already received.-Alas! what multitudes in this Chris tian country fall even below the hypocritical Jews in religion; and their conduct may well excite our grief and wonder! They do not so much as "draw near to God with their mouth, or honor him with their lips:" nay, the authority of laws, or royal proclamations, fails of inducing them to pay a decent respect to the
children are already raised up to Abraham, from among the poor Gentiles: ( Note , Gal . 3: 26-29.) may we be found of the number, and experience his new creating power! May we see increasing numbers "sanctify the Holy One of Israel," and fear his name! And may those, who now "err in spirit, and murmur against his truth," whether Jews, Gentiles, Mohammedans, or nominal Christians, be brought to understand and learn the true doctrine, till the whole earth be filled with the glory of our God and Savior!
OE to the rebellious children, 5 They were all ashamed of a people
saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may dadd sin to sin:
2 That walk to go down into Egypt fand have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt.
3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came tom Hanes.
NOTES.