CHAP. XXXI.
The folly and misery of those who depended on the Egyptians,
horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto a to them that go down to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the
1-3. The will defend Zion, A call to turn unto God and renounce idols, 6,7. The ruin of the Assyrian, 8, 9.
WEgypt them phat go down to the
a 30:1-7. 36:6. 57:9. Ez. 17: b 30:16.36:9. Deut. 17:16. Ps. c 5:12. 17:7,8. 22:11. 2 Chr. 16: | d 9:13. 64:7. Dan. 9:13. Hos. 15. Hos. 11:5. 20:7.33:16,17. 7. Jer. 2:13. 17:5. Hos. 14:3. 7:7,13-16. Am. 5:4-8.
they might speak smooth things and prophesy deceits." But, when neither persuasions nor reproaches can effect this; then they "heap to themselves teachers" of another kind, and revile and oppose the faithful servants of God. (Note, 2 Tim . 4:1-5.) For they would induce ministers to leave the direct way of truth and holiness, to walk in crooked paths, and to countenance them, or at least to leave them unmolested, in their iniquities; and to speak little of the justice and holiness of God, but to dwell upon his mercy and grace alone, and the privileges of professed believers indiscriminately; without being particular about duties, precepts, self-deception, hypocrisy, or the wrath to come.
But we must not so much as abstain from the use of one expressive scriptural phrase to humor men of this description: we must say, "Thus saith the Holy One of Israel," "whether they will hear or forbear:" and "if they despise this word," and trust in hypocrisy and iniquity; they must be plainly told, that sudden and inevitable destruction is before them.
For those who will not repent and turn to God, welcome his salvation, and seek happiness in his favor and service, should be explicitly and solemnly warned, that there is no other way, and that all their own devices will hasten and aggravate their ruin.
18-22.
The same word, which speaks terror to hypocrites and infidels, gives encouragement encourage to the broken-hearted, earnestly invites sinners to seek the Lord, and ensures the safety of the church. It is not "for us to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power:" but he assuredly waits his own time of being gracious to his church, and terminating her bondage: and he always waits on his mercy-seat, to be gracious to all who come to him by faith in Jesus Christ.
It is his most glorious prerogative to shew mercy; he knows how, when, and on whom, to confer his special favors; and "happy are they who wait for him." His people, who dwell in Lis church below, often weep for their sins and sorrows; but they will soon arrive at the Zion above, and then they will weep no more for ever.
Even now he is very gracious to them, and ready to hear their fervent prayers, and grant their largest desires: and they would have more comfort, as well as holiness, if they were more instant and constant in prayer.They, who know the value of spiritual blessings, will be reconciled to "bread of affliction and water of affliction," should this be their lot; especially if their "teachers be not removed into corners," and they be favored with unrestrained access to the public means of grace.
Many of us have the blessing here promised: may we be thankful for it, and duly improve it! and let those who are poor, sick, or in pain, or in any other way kept from the public means of grace, diligently use such as are yet afforded them; and consolation proportioned to their need shall not be withheld.--They, who drive the ministers of Christ into corners, are answerable for all the heresies and iniquities, which in consequence inundate the church and the world.---But let us remember, that we need the teaching of the Holy Spirit, as well
as that of the word of God: and those who simply depend on his promises, and beg to be guided in the ways of truth and holiness, shall, by means of an enlightened understanding, a spiritual taste, and a tender, well-informed conscience, hear, as it were, "a voice behind them, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when they are about to turn to the right hand or to the left." And this must appear to be no delusion; as they evidently learn to hate the most gainful iniquities, and to renounce every idol and sin with determined abhorrence.
V. 23-33.
All temporal good shall be added to those who first seek heavenly blessings; ( Note , Matt . 6:33,34.) and who desire, above all other things, that the good seed of the word may be sown and watered in their hearts, and produce large increase; and whose prayer is, that it may be more and more fat and plenteous, and that they may be enabled to live up to the full enjoyment of their largest privileges.
If this be our happiness, let us continue to pray for the accomplishment of these most extensive and glorious predictions; that rivers of gospelgrace may water all the nations, which have hitherto proved inaccessible to it; that the towers of every very antichrist, and of Satan, may fall, and his cause on earth be ruined; that the church may shine more resplendent plendent with the glorious light of Christ "the Sun of Righteousness;" that he may shine with inexpressible splendor through gh all the regions of of the earth; and that every breach of his people may be closed, and every wound healed.
This approaching period will be as terrible to the enemies of God, as delightful to his people. Then his glorious name, and heavy indignation, and powerful arm executing his threatened vengeance, will suddenly come upon them, as a devouring fire or an overwhelming inundation; will reach them in the most distant regions and closest recesses, and cover them with disappointment, vexation, and anguish; whilst his people shall abound in songs of joyful praise.
Every oppressor, by whom the Lord has corrected his church, will perish like the Assyrian monarch: and every place, that has groaned beneath the rod of persecution, shall be filled with rejoicing. But let sinners ot every rank remember, that, persisting in iniquity, they cannot escape the wrath of God.
For Tophet is of old ordained for the devil, and his angels and subjects; yea, for ungodly kings and princes, as well as interior sinners: it is prepared capacious enough to contain all the nations, that forget God; the wicked will themselves be the incombustible fuel of that unquenchable fire; and the wrath of God, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. (Note, Mark 9:43-50.) Let sinners then flee for refuge to Christ; that they may be safe and happy, when destruction from the Almighty shall sweep away all the workers of iniquity.
NOTES.
CHAP. XXXI. V. 1. This chapter coincides with the beginning and conclusion of the preceding one. ( Notes , 30:1-7,15--17.) The Israelites had formed a treaty with Egypt, and the Jews were disposed to do the same: but
2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not * call back his words; but will harise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out nis hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
4 For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: Pso shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
e 1 Sam. 2:3. Job 5:13. Jer. 10:7,12. 1 Cor. 1:21-29. Jude 25.
f 30:13,14. 45:7. Josh. 23:15. Am. 3:6.
g Num. 23:19. Jer. 36:32. 44: 29. Zech. 1:6.
* Heb. remove.
h:28:21. 63:4-6.
Matt. 24:35.
Num. 10:35.
k 36:6. Deut. 32:30,31. Ps. 9: 20,146:3-5. Ez. 28:9. Acts 12:22,23. 2 Thes. 2:4,8.
1 Ps. 33:17.
m 9:17. Jer. 15:6. Ez. 20:33, 34.
n Jer. 37:7-10.
o Num. 24:8,9. Jer. 50:44. Hos. 11:10. Am. 3:8. Rev. 5:5.
↑ Or, multitude.
p 10:16. 12:6. 37:35,36. 42:13. 2 Chr. 20:15. Ps. 125:1,2. Zech. 2:5. 9:8,15. 12:8. 14:3.
woe to those of either nation, who confided in that people for chariots, horses, and horsemen; by which they were induced to neglect looking to God, and seeking help from him, from inquiring of him, and relying on his power and mercy. "The Lord had commanded the Is'raelites never to return to Egypt, lest they 'should forget the benefit of their redemption; 'and lest they should be corrupted with the 'superstition and idolatry of the Egyptians, 'and so forsake God.' (Note, Deut . 17:16.) These considerations rendered alliances with Egypt peculiarly criminal: but confidence in men, of whatever nation, is departure from God. (Note, Jer . 17:5-8.)
V. 2, 3. The Israelites relied on the wisdom and policy of the Egyptians, as well as on their forces: but ought they not to have remembered, that the Lord also was wise, yea, infinitely superior in wisdom? And having denounced their destruction for iniquity, he would not call back his word, and could easily find means to effect his purpose.
For "the Egyptians are man" (Adam) "not God;" they were but feeble, dying, sinful men, and their horses were mere animals: they could not therefore resist him and his "ministering spirits;" but would fall down, and fail, and perish, along with those, whom they vainly endeavored to assist. ( Marg . Ref . k-n.- Notes , 20:2-6. 2 Kings 19:9-13.) V. 4,5. The Lord himself would undertake to defend Zion against the Assyrians; so that the Jews would not have the least need for help from Egypt.
He would no more regard the number or clamor of the Assyrians, than a young lion does the noise of the shepherds, who would drive him from his prey. ( Marg . Ref . o.--Notes, Gen. 49:8,9. Jer . 49:19,20.) And as birds defend their young by hovering over their nests, so would JEHOVAH defend and deliver Jerusalem. ( Marg . Ref .-- Note , 10:1214.) Notwithstanding the sins of the Jews, he would pass over them, or step between them and the evil that threatened them, and not al
5 As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it ; and passing over he will preserve it .
6 Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have "deeply revolted.
7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.
8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be || discomfited.
9 And he shall pass over to his stronghold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid
q 10:14. Ex. 19:4. Deut. 32: y 1 Kings 12:28-30. Hos. 8: 11. Ps. 91:4.
11.
z 10:16-19,33,34. 14:25. 29:5,8. 30:27-33.37:35,36. 2 Kings 19:34-37.2 Chr. 32:21. Hos. 1:7.
a 37:37,38.
Or, for fear of the sword. Or, tributary . Heb. for melting or tribute.
Heb. his rock shall pass away for fear. Or, his strength.
low the destroying angel to smite them alon with the Ass Assyrians; even as he protected the houses of Israel, when he destroyed the firstborn of Egypt. ( Notes , Ex . 12:11- 12:11-14,22-30.) Passing over, &c. (5) "Leaping forward, 'and rescuing her." The same word is made use of here, which is used upon that occasion; 'and which gave the name to the feast, which 'was instituted in commemoration of that de'liverance (from Egypt( פסח.
"JEHOVAH will 'pass through to smite the Egyptians, and when 'he seeth the blood on the lentils, and on the 'two side posts, JEHOVAH will spring forward 'over (or before) the door... and will not suffer 'the destroyer to come into your houses to 'smite you." Ex . 12:23.
Here are manifestly 'two agents, with which the notion of passing 'over is not consistent; for that supposes but 'one agent: the two agents are the destroying angel passing through to smite every house; 'and JEHOVAH the Protector, keeping pace with 'him; and who seeing the door of the Israelite 'marked with the blood, the token prescribed, leaps forward, throws himself with a sudden 'motion in the way, ... and covers and protects 'the house against the destroying angel, and 'suffers him not to smite it.
In this way of con'sidering the action, the beautiful similitude of 'the bird protecting her young, answers exactly to the application of the deliverance in Egypt; as the mother bird spreads her wings 'to cover her young, throws herself before 'them, and opposes the rapacious bird that as'saults her, so shall JEHOVAH protect Jerusa'lem.' Bp . Lowth .
V. 6,7. The whole race of Israel had deeply revolted from God, with many and great aggravations. The ten tribes were doomed to destruction: but the Jews, being yet spared, were exhorted to return unto him; and it was also predicted, that their preservation from the Assyrians would be attended with zeal against idolatry, and contempt of the idols which they had made, as an occasion of sin, even those
of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire || tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. as the shadow of a * great rock in a weary land.