CHAPTER XXX.
B. C. 720. '
in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in sthe 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 to ™Hanes.
5 ‘They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
i453; k 57:9. 2 Kings 17:4, Hos, 7:11,12,16. m Jer, 43:7. Tahpanhes. Ez. 30:18. Tehaphe
42:2,20. g 16:3. 18:1. Judg. 9:15. Lam, 4:20. h 5—7, 20:5. Jer. 37:5—10. 16,17. Jer. 17:5 Rom. 85 10:11.
1 19:11. Nam. 13:22, Bz, 30:14, nehes. n 16, 20:5,6. 31:1—3,
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 boldly and honestly reprove sin, without respect of 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 as!iamed, or to wax pale, by witnessing the permanent triumphs of his enemies.
Numbers of children are already raised up to Abraham, from among the poor Gentiles: (Vote, Gal. 3:26—29.) may we be found ef 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 Jéws, Gentiles, Mohammedans, or nominal Christians, be brought to understand and learn the true doctrine, tll the whole earth be filled with the glory of our God and Saviour!
NOTES.—Cuap. XXX. V.1. The propensity, of both Judah and Israel, to form alliances with idolateis, and espe= cially with Egypt, being directly contrary to the law, and inconsistent with dependence on God for protection against all enemies, evinced them to be “rebellious children,’ who acted unsuitably to their relations to God, and in direct disobedience to his commands. (JVotes, 6,7. 31:1—3.
Deut. 17: 16.) Hoshea, king of Israel, made an alliance with So, king of Egypt, which brought ruin on himself and his people; and perhaps this prophecy was delivered about that time: when the princes of Judah also might be consulting together, to make a similar league against the formidable Assyrian power. (Notes, 2 Kings 17:1—6. 18:20,21.) Yet there is no proof that Hezekiah actually entered into such an alliance; nor is it probable, that he would in opposition to the word of God by his prophets: indeed, itis likely that this-very message by Isaiah prevented the design, which might otherwise have had terrible consequences. (Votes, 2 Kings 18:5,6. 2 Chr. 32: 6—8.) The princes and people, however, seem to have been bent on the measure; and instead of ‘tasking counse! of the Lorp,” by his high-priest, or by a prophet, or regulating their decisions according to his word, or taking refuge under his protection by repentance, faith, and prayer, (which the Spirit of God would have led them to,) they proceeded to add sin to sin, by proposing to form a league with the Egyptians.—The words rendered “cover with a covering,” may mean ‘pour out a libation,” and some explain them of ratifying a covenant with that ceremony: but, as the custom o, ratifying covenants with a libation was a religious observance, and among the Gentiles an act of idolatry; it can hardly be supposed that Hezekiah would comply with it, or that he would have escaped reproof if he had.
Perhaps, however, the king of Israel had gone thus far, and many of the Jews were ready even in this sense to “add sin to sin.”
V. 2, 3. “Who set forward to go down into Egypt.” Bp. Lowth—Perhaps some ambassadors from Judah had set out on their journey: but Hezekiah, receiving this message from God, and recollecting that he had not consulted him in the measure, recalled them. (Vote, Josh. 9:14,15.) The people, however, were disposed to put Pharaoh and Egypt in the place ef God, by relying on them for protection, and trusting under the shadow of their wings. (JVoies,' [8:1. 20:5. Jer. 37:1—10. Ez. 29:6,7.) But this would surely eno in confusion and disappointment.
V.4,5. Hoshea’s ambassadors came to Zoan and Hanes, or Tahpanhes, to attend on the Egyptian monarch, and concluded a treaty with him: but the Egyptians gave him mo effectual assistance, and he and all his people were put t9 shame, for confiding in a nation which could not profit them, but were a reproach to them; for this alliance eventually hastened their ruin. (Marg. ig) And thus, the prophet intimated, it would be a reproach and ruin to Judah, if they persisted in copying their example. (Votes, Hos. 7:11—16, 14:1—3.)—Expositors indeed generally take it for granted, that Hezekiah’s ambassadors are meant: but Judah is not pare ticularly mentioned; nothing is elsewhere recorded of a treaty actually entered into by Hezekiah with Pharaoh ; Hezekiah’s character, as ‘trusting in the Lorp more than all before him ” seems not to admit of the supposition ; and it was very
(473%)
B. C. 720.
6 The *burden of the beasts of the south: dinto the laud of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their ‘riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
7 For ‘the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried ‘concerning this, “Their strength zs to sit still.
(Practical Observations.)
8 1 Now go, ‘write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for tthe time to come for ever and ever.
9 That Ythis is a rebellious people, lying children, children that *will not hear the law of the Lorp:
10 Which ®say to the seers, See not, and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, egpeak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits :
11 Get ‘you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, ‘cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel,
@ 46:1,2. Hos. 8:9,10.12:1. op l
1 Kings 10:2. Matt. 12:42, q 19:4. Ex. 1:14, Hie r Num, 21:;6,7,
6:10—21. Deut. 4:20, Jer. 1 Deut, 8:15. Jer, 2:6, 6 2Chr. 9:1. 16:2, 28:20—23. t 31:1—3. Jer. 37:7. * Or, to her. u 15, 2:22, 7:4, 28:12, Kx. 14:13. Ps. 76:8,9. 118:8,9. Lam. 3:26. Hos.5:13. x 8:1. Deut. 31:19,22. Job 19:23,24. Jer. 36 32. 51:60. Hab. 2:2. f{ Heb. the latter day. 2:2. Num, 24:14, Deut. 4:30, 31:29. Job 19:25. Jer. 23:20, 48:47. 2. 38:16. Hos.3:5. 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Pet. 3:3. Jude 18. y See on1.— 1:4. Deut. 31:27—29. 32:20. Jer. 44:2—17. Zeph. 3:2. Matt. 23:31—33. Acts 7:51. 2 59:3. 63:8. Jer. 9:3—5. Hos. 4:2. Rev. 21:8, 22:15. a 2Chr. 33:
0. 36:15,16. Neh. 9:29,30. P ov, 28:9. Jer. 7:13. Zech, 1:4—6, 7:11,12. Rom. 2:21—23. b 1 Kings 21:20. 2 Chr. 16:10. 18:7—27. 24:19—21, 25:16. Jer. 5:31.
1:21. 26;11,20—23, 29:27. 38:4. Am, 2:12, 7:13. Mic. 2:6, Acts 4:17,18, 5:28,40 —42. 1 hes, 2:15,16. Rev. 11:7. ¢ 1 Kings 22:8—13,27. Jer. 6:13,14, 8:10,11. 23:17,26—29. Ez. 13:7—10,18—22, Mic. 2:11, John 7:7. 8:45, Rom. 16:18. Gal. 4:16. d 29:21. Am. 7:18, e John 15:23,24. Rom, 1:28,30. 8:7. Eph. 4:18, fl,
natural to place the example of Hoshea and Israel, with their Egyptian alliance and its consequences, before the Jews, when eager to seek help from the same quarter.
The previous steps taken by the princes were sufficient, to give occasion for Sennacherib’s taunt on the subject: (Note, 2 Kings 18: 20,21.) but Hezekiah’s confidence most certainly was placed in God, not in Pharaoh: and though the Egyptians and Ethiopians interrupted the progress of the Assyrians, this does not prove that Hezekiah made and adhered to an alliance with Egypt, in opposition to the warnings of the prophet. vV.6,7. ‘The burden of the beasts of the south” means the loads of treasure which the Israelites, or Jews, or both, carried on young asses and camels, southward into Egypt, to purchase the assistance of that people.
These were sent into “a land of trouble and anguish,” in which their ancestors had been greatly oppressed, which was likely to occasion much trouble and anguish to them; or which was itself doomed to endure much trouble and anguish. (Votes, 19:1— 17.) ‘“ Through a land of distress and difficulty : whence come forth the lioness, and the fierce lion, the viper, and the fiery flying serpent.” ‘The same deserts are described, which the Israelites passed through, when they come out of Egypt’ Bp. Lowth. (Deut. 8:15. Notes, Num. 21:6—9.
Jer. 2:6.) Egypt also, no doubt, in many parts of it, abounded with these fierce and poisonous animals.—The people impoverished themselves to obtain the alliance of Egypt, which could not profit them ; for every effort of the Egyptians would be in vain. ‘Therefore the prophet proclaimed concerning this, (the projected treaty of Judah with Egypt,) that ‘ their strength was to sit still:” it would be their wisdom and security to drop the design, and to remain quietly at home trusting in the Lord, and only using lawful means for their safety. ( Notes, 15—17. Fx. 14:13,14.
Lam. 3:24—30.)—The word, here translated “strength,” is Rahab, a name for Egypt: 51:9. Ps. 87:4.) and some think that the prophet meant, that gypt would sit still ; or, that it would be more for her interest so todo. ‘* Wherefore I have called her, Rahab the Inac- ” Bp. Lowth. f V.8—11. This solemn command of God to the prophet, to write what follows in a table to be hung up, and in a book to be preserved to the most remote posterity, implies, that the prophecy related also to future generations, though the Assyrian invasion gave occasion to it.
The same spirit of rebellion, hypocrisy, and falsehood, which then possessed the Jews, would increase in afier ages; and they would more and more refuse obedience to the law of God.
The people used and would use all their influence and authority, to suppress the testimony of those prophets who “ prophecied right things,” reproving their iniquities, alarming their consciences, and disquieting them in their sins: and employ menaces and reproaches, or bribes and blandishments, to induce them to speak unto them “smooth things, and prophecy deceits,” which might feed their pride and presumption, and sooth their consciences into a false peace.
Thus they endea-voured to turn the prophets aside from the path of duty ; or to deter them from molesting them, whilst they went on in the paths of iniquity. (Notes, 1 Kings 22:13,14. 2 Chr. 16°7—, 474)
ISAIAH.
B. C. 720
‘Because ye despise this word, “and trust in toppression and perverseness, and stay thereon ; 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you *as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking ‘cometh suddenly at an instant.
14 And “he shall break it, as the breaking of Sthe potter’s vessel that is broken in pieces; the shall not spare: ™so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the
it. : 15 For thus saith the Lorp Gon, "the Holy One of Israel; °In returning and rest shall ye be saved 3 in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength : Pand ye would not.
16 But ye said, No: or we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; "therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
17:One ‘thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one: at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: ‘till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill.
[ Practical Observations.)
7,15—17. 5:24. 31:1—3, 2 Sam, 12:9,10. g 28:15, 47:10, Ps. 52:7, 62:10, Jer, 13:25,
Am. 2:4. Luke 10:16, 1 Thes, 4:8, { Or, fraud. h 1 Kings 20:30, Pe,
62:3, Ez. 13:10—15. Matt. 7:27. Luke 6:49. i 29:5. Job 35:18. Ps. 73:19,20, Prov. 29:1. 1 Thes. 5:1—3. Ps. 2:9. Jer. 19:10,11. Rev. 2:27. Heb. the bo'tle of potters, 1 27:11. Deut, 29:20. Job 27:22. Jer. 13:14. Ez. 5:11, 7:4,9,
8:18, 9:10. 24:14, Rom.
38. Lam.4:2, Ez. 15
32. 11:21. 2 Pet. 2:4,5, m 47:14. Ps. 31:12. Jer. 48: :3—8. n IL. Jer. 23:36. o 7. 7:4. 26:3,4. 32:17. 1 Chr 5:20. 2 Chr. 16:8,9, 32:8, Ps. 125:1,2. Jer. 3:22.23. 6:16. Hos. 14;1—3. Ps, 81:11—13. Jer. 44:16,17. Matt. 22:3. 23:37. Luke 13:34. Jolin 5:40. Heb. 12:25. q 5:26—30. 10:28—32. 31:1. Deut 5. Ps. 33:17. 147:10. Jer. 52:7. Am. 2:14 —16.9:1, Mic.1:13. r Deut, 28:49. Jer, 4:13, Lam. 4.19. Hub, 1:8. 8s Lev. 26:8,36. Deut. 32:30, Josh, 23:10. Prov, 28:1, Jer. 37:10. t 1:7,8 37:3,4, Neh. 1:2,3, Zeph. 3:12, Zech. 13;8,9, Matt, 24:21,22, || Or, a tree bereft o, branches, or, boughs, or, a mast, 6:13, 27:11. John 15:2—6, Rom. 11;17—1
10. 25:14—i6. Jer. 5:30,31. 26:11—19. Am. 7:10—17. Mic. 2: 6—11.)—They especially attempted to induce them to desist from mentioning JeHovaH, as “the Holy one of Israel.” Perhaps they objected to the expression, and pretended to be disgusted with the frequent use of it: (Votes, 28:9—15.) but in fact they did not choose to hear of his holy character and commandments, his holy hatred of sin, and his determination to punish it.
They desired that ‘tthe Holy One of Israel might cease from before them,” and that they might no more be reminded of his awful justice.—If this were the case in the days of Hezekiah, it was much more so previous to the captivity ; and most of all before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans: for what was all the opposition of the chief priests, rulers, scribes, and nation at large, to the ministry of Christ and his apostles, but an exact fulfilment of this pas- - sage, considered as a prediction ? (Notes, Acts 4:13—22. 5; 27,28,40.)—The timeto come. (8) “ The latterday.” Marg. and Marg.
Ref.
V.12—14. The prophet again, and immediately, used the language to which the Jews had objected, in denouncing the vengeance of God on the nation. ‘The prophet is resolved to usher in his reproofs with his preface, “Thus saith the Holy One of Israel,” whatever distaste it might give to men of reprobate minds. (15)’ Lowth.
As they despised the word which God had sent him to speak, and resolved to trust in oppression, or deceit, and perverseness; i. ec. in their own deceitful and perverse devices: so this their iniquity would undermine their safety, and render their state like a high wall, in which breaches are already made, and which bulges out, and at length rushes down at once; and the higher it is, the more dreadful the fall. (Votes, 1 Kings 20:30. Ps. 62:3, 4, Fz. 13:10—16. Matt.
'7:2.4—27.) For the Lord would dash in pieces their civil and ecclesiastical constitution, like a potter’s vessel, of which no sherd remains, with which fire could be taken from the hearth, or water from the pit.—Jerusalem and Judah were not thus dashed in pieces by the Assyrian invasion; nay, the Babylonish captivity was but a partial fulfilment of the prediction: but when the Jews had despised the word of the gospel, the Lord by the Romans irreparably dashed their state to pieces, and thus it continues to this present day. (Notes, Ps. 2:7—12. Matt. 21:40—44.)
V. 15—17. Notwithstanding the heinousness of their sins, and the power of their enemies, the Lord had assured the Jews, that in returning to him in true repentance and conversion, and adhering to him arid his worship, and quietly confiding in his protectio», they should be preserved: or, the ambassadors may be addressed, who were called on to return from Egypt, and quietly trust in God, who would protect them without the aid of Pharaoh. It is probable, that Hezekiah and a remnant did so, and for their sakes the city was spared: but many would not take this counsel: they were resolved, if possible, to have swift horses from Egypt, (ote 31:1—3.) that in case of danger they might flee away: d God declared that they should flee away and be pursued by swift enemies: and be so terrified, that a single assailaz should put to flight a thousand of them, and five would suffice to rout their whole army ; (Votes, Deut. 32:29—31.) till
B. C. 720
18 1 And "therefore will the Lorp *wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: ‘for the Lorp is a God of judgment: “blessed are all they that wait for him.
19 For the people shall *dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: ‘thou shalt weep no more: “he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry ; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
20 And though the Lorp give you *the bread of adversity, and the water of ‘aflliction, ‘yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers :
21 And &thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, "when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
22 Ye shall ‘defile also the covering of tthy
CHAPTER XXX.
B. C. 720.
graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt teast them away “as a menstruous cloth ; thou shalt say unte it, IGet thee hence. [Practical Observations.]
23 ‘Then "shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and "it shall be fat and plenteous : in that day shall °thy cattle feed in large pastures.
24 ‘The Poxen likewise and the young asses that dear the ground shall eat Sclean provender, which roe been winnowed with the shovel and with the an.
25 And there shall be "upon every high mountain, and upon every "high hill, rivers, and streams of waters, ‘in the day of the great slaughter, ‘when the towers fall.
u_ 55:8,9. 31:18—4
Ex. 34:6,7.
« Hos. 5:15, 6:
714. Rom, 5:20, 9:15—18. = x 18:4. 57:17,18. Jer. 28,9. Jon, 3:4—10. Matt. 15:22—28, Luke 15:20.
1
20—23. 2 33:5, 42:1—4. Deut, 32:4. L Sam.
25. Mic. 7:18—20. Mal.2:17. Rom, 2:2—10,
2:1,2,5— . Rom. 2:6.46:13, 65:9, Jer. 31:6,12. 50:4 5,28. 51:10. « Zech, 1:16,17. 2:4—7, 8:3—8, Rom, ll:
25. oc 12:3—6, 25:8, 35:10. 40:1,2. 54:6—14. 60:20, 61:1—3. 65;18,19. Jer. 30:12 —19, 31:9-—17. Mic. 4:9,10. Luke 6:21. Rev. 5:4—6. 7:17. 21:4. d_ 58:9, 65:24, Ps. 50:15. Jer. £9:11—13, 33:3. Ez. 36:37, Matt. 7:7—11. Eph. 3:20. 1 John 5: 14,15. e Deut. 16:3. 1 Kings 22:27. 2 Chr, 18:26, Ps, 80:5, 102;9.127;2. Ez. 4: 13—17, 24:22,23. Acts 14:22. * Or, oppression, f Ps, 74:9. Am. 8;11,12.
Eph. 1:8. a 8:17. $. 84:12. Prov. 16 8:25—23. Jam. 5:11. . Ez, 20:40. 37:25—28. Zeph. 3:14
only here and there one was left as a sort of prodigy, and like a beacon or ensign, placed for a signal on the top of a mountain, or on a high tower.—It may be supposed that Sennacherib’s army destroyed numbers of those who would not wait the event in Jerusalem, but attempted to flee elsewhere for safety.— A beacon. (17) ‘*A mast.” Marg. A mast of a ship erected on the top of a high mountain; perhaps as a landmark to seamen.
V. 18, 19. Notwithstanding these judgments, the Lord intended, and promised, to ‘* wait that he might be gracious” to his people ; as one ready to extend mercy to them whenever they applied to him. He would, as it were, deem this the one great end of his being ‘* exalted” as absolute Sovereign, and his chief glory. (Votes, Rom. 5:20,21. 9:15—18. Eph. 1:33—8,15—23. 3:9—12.) For ‘* the Lorp is a God of judgment,” of wisdom, knowledge, and equity, who distinguishes characters, and will by no means involve the righteous in the doom of the wicked; (Vote, Deut. 32:4.) and all ‘* who wait for him,” or expect salvation from him, are and will be happy. So that, after the approaching desolations, the people would still be enabled to inhabit Jerusalem, or frequent mount Zion : their mourning would cease; and the Lord would be very gracious to them, in hearing and speedily answering their prayers. (Notes, Jer. 29:10—14. 30:10—18. 31:10—14.)—
hen Sennacherib’s army was destroyed, doubtless the eople offered solemn sacrifices of praise on mount Zion, for eing permitted still to dwell in Jerusalem: their sorrows were then converted into joy, and their prayers into thanks-ivings ; because the Lord had been very gracious to them. Note, Neh. 1:15.)—' From this verse to the twenty-seventh, ollow many gracious promises of mercy, several of which cannot with any propriety be applied to the succeeding times of king Hezekiah’s reign: therefore we reasonably suppose that the prophet, taking a hint from those prosperous umes which succeeded this great deliverance, was carried on to a view of better days, which might be expected under the flourishing state of the gospel.’ Lowth.
V. 20, 21. It is here predicted, that in the midst of poverty and affliction, the Lord woypld afford the people abundance of good instruction, and faithful public teachers ; who should not be removed into corners, by persecuting princes or victorious invaders: so that the people would continually be directed in the right way, and exhorted to walk in it, and cautioned, on every occasion, not to decline from it on the right hand or on the left. (Marg. Ref. e, f.
Note, Am. 8:11—14.) During the reign of Hezekiah the Lol te had much good instruction: but it could hardly be said, that they had, ‘the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction ;” and after his death, persecuting Manasseh soon drove their faithful teachers into corners. But after the captivity the Jews continued long im a very poor and destitute condition: yet the Lord sent them many able teachers, especially those that came up with Ezra, and were trained up under him. (Marg. Ref.
Notes, Neh. 8:9:) The priests, Levites, and scribes were then protected in their work; synagogues were every where erected; and the people were more generally instructed from the law and the Ravan than in preceding times. And, though Antiochus
piphanes, and others, in some degree persecuted them, yet the people were duly instructed. After prophecy had ceased, the public teaching from the law and the prophets in all their synagogues, continued without interruption till the coming of Christ: and though it became greatly corrupted, by the glosses and traditions of the scribes and Pharisees ; yet it was not utterly without effect. The public preaching, however, of the word of God has become far more general under
Ps. 25:8,9. 143:8—10,
76. 2 Kings 2 Chr, 31:1, the graven
8,9. 42:16. 48:17. 58:11,
{~ He. + Heb.
6. 32:20. 44:2—4, 55:10,11 13, 104:13,14, 107:35—-38, Jer. 14:22. Eb 225,26. Ha 5
26. Am, 4:7,8. Zech. 8:11,12. 10:1, Mal. 3:10. Matt. 6:33. 1 ‘lim. n 4:2, Ps, 36:8. o Gen. 41:18,26,47, Ps. 144:12—14. Hos, 4:16. Ld p Deut. 25:4. 1 Cor. 9:9,10. q Gen. 43:6, Ex. 34:21, Deut. ‘ 1 ne - § Or savoury; Heb. leavened. r 2:14,15, 35:6,7. 41:18,19, 43:19,20. 44:3,4, Ez. 17-22, 34:13,26. John 7:38. Rev. 22:1. |! Heb. lifted up. 8 34:2-10. 37:36. 63:16,
Ez. 39:17—20. Rev. 16:—19; t 32:14, Nah, 3:12. 2 Cor, 10:4,
the Christian dispensation, and has been in some méasure preserved during all the ages in which the witnesses have prophesied in sackcloth. (Notes, Rev. 11:1—14.)—' This may fitly be applied to that plentiful effusion of God’s Spirit, which is promised under the gospel.’ Lowth.—Probably, future events, respecting the nation of Israel, compared with its present state, (Vote, Hos. ving will more fully clear up this prediction—When ye turn, &c. (21) ‘When ye are never so little out of the way. Comp. Deut. 5:32. Josh. 1:7. Prov. 4:27. Lowth.
V. 22. Doubtless, the deliverance from the Assynans was followed by strong expressions of zeal against idolatry ; and perhaps the Jews treated the images of gold and silver, and all their costly coverings and ornaments, as a pollution, and cast them away with abhorrence, as afraid of contracting defilement. (Notes, 2:19—21. Deut. 7:25,26.) Yet many Jews even then secretly retained their idols, and the nation soon relapsed. But after the captivity, they were totally set against gross idolatry. The prevalence of Christianity alienates men likewise from the idols of the heart: and the recall of the Jews into the church shall be followed by the entire cleansing of it from all remains of antichristian idolatry.
V.23—25.
Fertilizing rain to water the ground when sown, and an abundant increase of every valuable production, are here predicted ; with large and luxuriant pastures for the cattle, clean provender for such as laboured in ploughing the land, and “rivers and streams of water even on the tops ot the high mountains” (Votes, 41:17—20. 43:14—21. 44:1—5, Joel 3:18—21.) We may suppose, that afier the immense slaughter of the Assyrians, when their overgrown power fell to the ground, the land of Judah was favoured with extraordinary fertility: but more sublime and spiritual blessings are evidently predicted.
The word of God is the good seed, (Luke 8:11.) which, being sown in the heart, and watered by the Holy Spirit, springs up in the conversion and sanctification of sinners.
When this seed is extensively sown, and abundantly prospered, the increase is ‘‘ fat and plenteous.* The gospel is ‘tthe ministration of the Spirit:” and after the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the word of God was preached far more extensively and successfully than ever it had been before: yet to this day an immense proportion of mankind are, in one form or other, servants to sin and Satan; and far happier and more glorious times are evidently foretold.—When a country is well cultivated the cattle may feed in rich, yet not generally m large pastures ; (Note, 7:22—25.) but the emblem aptly denotes the enlargement of the church, as well as the abundant fruitfulness of Christians.—The clean provender for the labouring oxen, and asses, or other cattle in husbandry, may imply the suitable provision made for those who “ labour in the word and doc« trine,” in the predicted season; (Note, 1 Cor. 9:7—12.) or
-that they will themselves feed and feast on those truths and
consolations which they preach vo others; and that they will be able to separate the pure doctrines of Scripture, from every corrupt and worthless mixture.—Rivers and streams of water are not commonly found on the tops of high mountains: but the emblem implies that abundant means of grace, accompanied by the influences of the Holy Spirit, would be vouchsafed to those places which had been most destitute of them, and where they were least expected; and to every one of them. (Marg. Ref. r.)—The subversion of the Jewish state, and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, with the slaughter of immense multitudes of Jews, were connected with the calling of the Gentiles, and the extensive propagation of the gospel. The subversion of the pagan Romar
( 475 )
B C.-720.
36 Moreover “the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun; and the light of the sun shall be sevenlold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lorp *bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
27 ‘I Behold the name of the Lorp cometh from far, Yburning with his anger, and "the burden thereof is \heavy: his lips are full of’ indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
28 And “his breath, as*an overflowing stream, snall reach to the midst of the neck, »to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity, and there shall be *a bridle in the jaws of the people, ‘causing them to err.
29 °Ye shall have a song, as fin the night when a holy solemnity is kept ; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth swith a pipe to come into the
UW 11:9, 24:23, 61 Job 5:18. Jer, 33 34:9. Deut, 32:22,
9. Zech. 12:8. 14:7, Rev. 21:23. 22:5. x
3, Lam, 2:13. Hos. 6;1,2, Am. 9:11, y 9:5. 10:16,17. 3
72. Ps. 18:7—9. 79:5. Lam. 1:12,13. Dan. 7:9. Nahel . * Or, the grievousness of flame. } Heb. heavir ). 4:12, Rev. 1:16. 2:16, a 8:8, 28:17,18. 29:6 83:10—12. Hos, 13:3. Am. 9:9. Matt, 3:
9. Prov. 26:3. @19:3,13,14. 2Sam. 17:14, 14 —9. 2Thes.2:11. e¢ 12:1. 26:1. Hx. 15:1, &e
2
2 Kings 1
—22. Job
ng 20 . 2Chr.
20;27,28. 3:11. Rev. 15:3, 19:1—7, fev. 23:32. Deut. 16:6,14. Ba. 81:1—4, Matt, 26:30. ¢ Ll Chr, 13;7,8. Ps. 42:4. 95:1,2. 150;3—5. } Heb. Rock, 26:4. marg. Deut. 32:4,31, Ps. 18:31. h 29:6. Ps. 2:5. 18:13,14, 46:6.
empire, and the slaughter made by the northern nations, made way for its further establishment. But the destruction of all antichristian powers, the slaughter of the determined enemies of Christ, and the subversion of Satan’s towers or strong-holds, making way for the universal promulgation of Christianity, can alone fully answer the import of the passage. ‘This shall be remarkably fulfilled at the time, when there shall be a terrible destruction of God’s enemies, (Rev. -4:20. 19:21.) when the great ones of the earth shall fall, denoted here by high towers; or by towers we may mean the fortifications of the city, which is the mystical Babylon,’ Lowth. (Marg. Ref.s,t. Notes, 34:2—10. 2 Cor. 10:1—6. Rev. 14:14—20. 19:11—21.)
V. 26. This verse can only be explained as an emblemati-cal prediction of spiritual blessings; and nothing previous to the coming of Christ can well be considered, as in any respect a fulfilment of it. Butthen the church “ fair as the moon,” shining by the reflected beams of ** the Sun of righteousness,” began more than ever before to resemble him. ** The meridian Sun” shone with sevenfold light, diffusing, more abundantly and extensively, knowledge, holiness, and comfort on mankind.
Buy when at length the church shall be purified from heresy, superstition, and every corruption of whatever kind; when her divisions shall be completely healed, and every part replenished with truth, holiness, and joy: when the Jews shall be converted, the fulness of the Gentiles brought in, all persecution terminated, and the great deceiver cast into the bottomless pit: then this prophecy will receive its entire accomplishment; and not before. (Note, Rev. 20:L—6.)—The millennium, nol the heavenly state, seems to be predicted: and especially, the prosperity and honour of Israel, as a na= tion.
God will then “ heal the stroke of the wound,” which he has inflicted on that people. ‘ The latter end of Israel shall. be more glorious than its beginning.’ Faber. (Notes, 24:23. 60:15—22, Ez, 34:23—31. 37:20—28. 39:21—29. Hos. 3:4,5. Mic. 7:11—20. Zech. 10:5—12. 14:6—11.).
V. 27,28. ‘The destruction of Sennacherib’s army is here immediately foretold: yet the ruin of all the antichristian powers, in order to the final trrumph of the gospel, scems also especially intended.—The Assyrian army draws near to Jerusalem, and the king exults in confidence of wreaking his vengeance on it; while the inhabitants are filled with consternation, or engaged in fervent prayer.
Then “ the name,” or glorious power, and all the perfections denoted by “ the name of the Lorn, came from far,” or unexpectedly, to defend his holy city ;“* burning with his anger,” against the blasphemous invader ; and about to fall on him, with a weight sufficient to erush him. ‘T'he sentence, which God had denounced, when “his lips were full of indignation,” was suddenly executed, as if “his tongue had been a devouring fire, and his breath as an overtlowing stream” of vengeance, reaching to the neck, destroying the mighty army of invaders, and just suffering its head, or commander, to escape for the present. (Marg.
Ref. Notes, 8:6—8. 11:2—5.) Thus the Lord “sifted the nations,” of which Sennaclerib’s troops were composed, “ with the sieve of vanity,” and so brought them to nothing: and he put “a bridle in their jaws,” forcibly turning them aside, that they might miss their aim, (Votes, 2 Kings 19:27,28,35—37.)
-‘ Since God’s love and hatred does necessarily result from his wisdom, which approves or dislikes things, according as they agree or disagree with his own infinite perfections ; it must follow, that although God be not subject to that turbu- 'ency and inconstancy, which attend human passions; yet his favour and aversion must be as strong and vigorous, as lasting and permanent, as the highest expressions in Scripture, concerning this matter, can be supposed to import.’ Lowth.—- 72 is a van with which they winnow corn; and its
( 476
ISATAH.
B. C. 720
mountain of the Lorn, to the ?Mighty One of Israel.
30 And "the Lorp shall cause Shis glorious voice to be heard, and shall show ‘the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and: with "the flame ot a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. —
31 For through 'the voice of the Lorp shall the Assyrian be beaten down, ™which smote with a rod,
32 And.in "every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lorp shall “lay upon him, "zt shall be with tabrets and harps; and in battles of °shaking will he fight **with it.
33 For PTophet zs Sordained ifof old; yea, ‘for the king it is prepared: he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood ; sthe breath of the Lorp, like a stream of brim- .stone, doth kindle it.
§ Heb. the glory of his voice, Job 37:2—5. 40:9. Ps. 29:3—9. Ez, 10:5. Rev. 1:
15. i51:9. 62:8. Ex. 15:16, Ps. 98:1. Luke 1:51. kk 28:2, 32:19. Josh. 10:11. 1 Sam. 7:10. Ps. 18:13,14. 50;1—3. 76:5—8, 97:3—5,. Ez. 38:19—22. Mic. 1:4. Nah. 1:2—6. Matt. 24:7. 2 Thes. 1;8. Rev. 6:12—17. 11:19. 14:16—20. 16;18— 21, 130. 37:32—38. m 9:4, 10:5,15,24. Ps. 17:13,14. 125:5. Mic. 5;5,6, || Heb every passing of the rod bounded. ‘| Heb. cause torest. n 29. 24:8. Gen. 31:
27. 1 Sam. 10:5. Job. 21:11,12, Ps. 81:1,2. o 2:19. 11:15, 19:16. Job 16:12,
Heb, 12:26. ** Or, against them. p 2 Kings 23:10. Jer. 7:31,32. 19:6,11—14, Matt. 4:22, 18:8,9. q Matt. 25:41. 1 Pet. 1:8. Jude 4. tt Heb. from yesterday. Heb. 13:8. r 14:9—20, 37:38, Ez, 32:22,23. Rev. 19:18—20. s 27,28. Gen. 19;
24, Ps. 40:5,6. Rev. 14:10,11.
use is to cleanse the corn from the chaff and straw: but the van with which God will winnow the nations, will be the van of emptiness, or perdition; for nothing useful shall remain behind, but all shall come to nothing and perish. In like manner the bridle is designed to guide the horse in the right way ; but the bridle, which God will put into the jaws of the people shall not direct them aright, but shall make them err, and lea
them into destruction. Kimchi, a Jewish Writer, m Bishop Lowth.
V.29—32. The Jews were here encouraged to prepare songs of praise, such as they were accustomed to use, in the night preceding their solemn festivals ; or when they marched in companies, attended with music, to the temple; (Vote, Ps, 49:4,5.) and they were assured, that they would soon have abundant reason thus to rejoice and praise God. For he would “cause his glorious voice to be heard,” commanding the slaughter of their enemies ; “the power of his arm lighting” upon them would be manifested ; and his indignation, like fire, tempest, and hailstones, would destroy them. — ( Notes, 29:5,.
6.
Josh. 10:11. 1 Sam. 7:10,11. 2 Sam, 22:7—16.) ‘hus the Assyrian, who had smitten the Jews as the Lord’s correcting rod, would be beaten to the earth ; and in all those places through which this staff of his indignation, which seemed to be “grounded,” or established, in Providence, was about to. pass, and cause great distress to the Jews ; there its destruction would be celebrated with tabrets and pipes. (Votes, 10; 5,6,24—34.) For God would fight with his enemy “in battles of shaking,” laying bold of him, and powerfully shaking him to pieces. (Note, Job 16:6—16, v. 12.)—'“ The grounded staff,” signifies such a rod, or stroke, as sinks deep, and makes lasting prints or marks in the flesh: and the expression alludes to the rod with which the Assyrian smote or corrected God’s people. (31)’ Zowth.—Bishop Lowth, on the authority of two manuscripts, renders it, ‘the rod of correction :” but alterations in the text, where versions and manuscripts, with few exceptions, establish the present reading, are very dangerous: and the difference between ‘‘ grounded” and correction, made by changing one letter for another, which is very much like it, shows how readily the meaning of Scripture might be quite explained away by these apparently trivial alterations. —Itis probable, that something analogous to this, but immensely more tremendous, will attend the destruction of all antichristian powers ; which will form a striking accomplishment of this prophecy to our posterity. (JVotes, Rev. 14:14—
20. 16:17—21. 19:11—21.)
V. 33. Tophet was a valley near Jerusalem, where children were frequently burnt in the fire to Molech. (Votes, ? Kings 23:10. Jer. 7:31—33. 19:1—13.) It was called also the valley of the son of Hinnom, or Gehenna. ‘ It is therefore used for a place of punishment by fire ; and by our blessed Saviour in the gospel for hell-fre, as the Jews themselves had applied it....
Here the place, where the Assyrian army was destroyed, is called Tophet by a metonomy ; for the Assyrian army was destroyed probably at a greater distance from Jerusalem, and quite on the opposite side of it; for Nob is men tioned as the last station, from which the king of Assyria should threaten Jerusalem. 10:32. Bp. Lowth. It is alse said expressly to be prepared for the king; yet Sennacherib was not slain with his army: though his power and gtory then vanished. The certainty and dreadfulness of the destruction, rather than the place of it, seems intended.
The large ne | deep valley, prepared long before for this purpose, supylied with a vast pile of wood and other combustibles, and kmdl by the breath of God, as by a stream of burning sulphur, when the blaspheming monarch and his most formidable army were brought down into it; forms an awful emblem of * the ever lasting fire prepared for the devil ana his angels,” and for all
BC. 720.