CHAP. IV. V. 1. This verse should not have been separated from the preceding chapter, as it evidently relates to the same subject. When Jerusalem was besieged by the Chaldeans, and after it was taken, (for those times seem to be intended,) the young men were generally destroyed; (3:25.) but the young wo
3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written #among the living in
Jerusalem:
* Heb. beauty and glory. Ex. 28:2. Zech. 9:17. John 1:14. 2 Cor. 4:6. 2 Pet. 1:16,17. f 27:6. 80:23. 45:8. Ps. 67:6. 85:11,12. Hos. 2:22,23. Joel 3: 18.
† Heb. the escaping.
g 10:20-22. 27:12,13. 37:31,32. Jer. 44:14,28. Ez. 16. Joel 2:32. Ob. 17. Matt. 24:22.
Luke 21:36. Rom. 11:4,5. Rev. 7:9-14.
h 1:27. 52:1. 60:21. Ez. 36:24 -28.43:12. Zech. 14:20,21. Eph. 1:4. Col. 3:12. 1 Pet. 2: 9.
i Ex. 32:32,33. Ez. 13:9. Luke 10:20. Phil. 4:3. Rev. 3:5. 13:8. 17:8. 20:15. 21:27. Or, to life. Acts 13:48.
men survived in very disproportionate numbers, and had little prospect of being married: and, as the unmarried state was generally deemed reproachful among the Jews, it is foretold, that in those circumstances they would disregard the ordinary rules of decorum, and many of them together importunately solicit the same man to take them in marriage, that they might bear his name and be exempted from the reproach: and, that the expense might not be an objection, they would undertake to maintain themselves. ( Marg .
Ref .) The conduct here predicted is so contrary to female modesty, and to the aversion which women feel to share a husband's affections, with rivals; that it strongly marks both the peculiarity of their circumstances, and the impropriety of their deportment.- Reproach , &c.] Euripides thus introduces Polyxene, when led away to be sacrificed, exclaiming, 'Without a 'husband, without marriage, which it behoved 'me to obtain!' (Note, Judg. 11:34-40.)
V. 2. The Lord did not intend to destroy either the family of David, or the seed of Israel; but purposed that they should again shoot forth and prosper. Either Zerubbabel of David's line, or Jeshua of Aaron's line, might be called "the branch of the LORD:" and the plenty produced by the land for the returning Jews after the captivity may be foretold: but these can only be as types and feeble shadows; for the expressions are so peculiar, that they must be applied to the Messiah, and the Christian dispensation. The Messiah is repeatedly called, "the Branch:" ( Notes , 11:1. Jer . 23:5,6.
Ez . 17:22-24. Zech . 3:8. 6:12,13.) and this "Branch of the LORD" is altogether beautiful and glorious; or "Beauty and Glory:" ( marg .) his human nature is the most excellent and beautiful production of the earth: or "the fruit of the earth" may mean, the blessed fruits of his mediation, which belong to the remnant of true believers. ( Notes , 45:8. Ps . 85:10-13.)
'LORD:" (Comp. 2:11,12. 10:20. 17:7. 19:18.) 'just as that day denotes the day of judgment, in the New Testament, as a time of all others 'most remarkable. (See 2 Thes . 1:10. 2 Tim . '1:12,18. 4:8.) ... Even Grotius... acknowledges (in his notes on 14:21.) that it is usual for the 'prophets to pass from the threatenings that 'relate to their own times, to the promises 'which belong to the times of the gospel.
Them that are escaped.] This may be partly 'understood of those, that were converted by 'the preaching of Christ and his apostles, and 'thereby escaped the vengeance which involv'ed the rest of the nation; ( See Acts 2:40. 1 Thes . 2:16.) but I apprehend it is chiefly meant of 'those Jews which shall be converted at the 'end of the world, (when the obstinate and in'corrigible shall be destroyed,) and shall re'turn home from their several dispersions. (Comp. 27:12,13. 45:20. 66:19. Ez . 20:34-43.)' Lowth .
The words plainly point at the conversion of the Jews in the latter ages of the world, and the flourishing state of the church, which shall follow it.
V. 3, 4. The Jews relapsed no more into idolatry after the captivity; and they were greatly reformed, and had much true religion among them. The daughters of Zion, also, who had thought themselves very delicate, when the Lord saw them to be very filthy, were purified by the captivity; and the innocent blood which had been shed was purged out of Jerusalem by those desolating judgments. ( Notes , Ez . 22:18—22. 24:9-14.) Yet this was only a shadow of more glorious blessings. That "remnant, according to the election of grace," ( Note , Rom. 11:1-6.) which forms the true church, is a holy people, and they are written or enrolled as the living citizens of Jerusalem; 'whose names are written 'in the book of life, among God's elect, to 'whom the promises to God's people peculiar'ly belong. (See Ps . 69:28. Ez . 13:9. Phil . 4:
But not only the establishment of his kingdom 3. Rev. 3:5. 21:27.) The phrase alludes to the in the times of the apostles; but its enlarge- 'registers which were kept of the Jewish
ment also, by the gathering of the dispersed Jews into the church, seems predicted. Then they will see, that the Branch which they despised, is indeed "beautiful and glorious;" and his fruit, which they neglected, truly "excellent and comely" for them. We shall have frequent opportunities of shewing that the prophets use the expression "In that day," with a latitude thus large; for with the Lord "a thousand years are but as one day." This phrase often denotes in Isaiah, 'not the same 'time with that, which was last mentioned, 'but an extraordinary season remarkable for 'some signal events of Providence: called else'where by way of excellency, "The day of the
'tribes and families. Ezra 2:59. Lou th . The Jews, who embraced the gospel, in the apostles' days, were, and the descendants of that nation who shall hereafter be restored to their place in the church, shall be, washed from the guilt and pollution of their sins; and especially from their blood-guiltiness in murdering the prophets, and in crucifying the Lord of glory. (Notes, Zech. 12:9-14. 13:1,7-9.) And this effect is produced, not merely by outward calamities, but by the Holy Ghost, rendering these effectual, as "a Spirit of judgment, and a Spirit of burning;" that is, as convincing and humbling the sinner, leading him to judge and condemn himself, and to hate and oppose his
night: for upon Pall the glory shall be ta
defence.
6 And there shall be a tabernacle for
the correspondent judgments which were coming on them, &25. The invasion of the land by the Assyrians, or Chaldeans, predicted, 26-30.
TOW will I sing to my Well-beloved a song of my Beloved touching his
and for a place of refuge, and for a covert vineyard. My Well-beloved hath a vine
from storm and from rain.
sins; and thus, like purifying fire, consuming the dross, and transforming the soul into his own holy likeness. ( Notes , Mal . 3:1-4. 4:1. Matt . 3:11,12. John 16:8-11. Acts 2:2,3.)
V. 5, 6. The pillar of cloud and fire was
yard in * a very fruitful hill:
2 And dhe fenced it, and gathered ou planted it with the
the stones thereof, and
a Deut. 31:19-22. Judg. 5:1, | oil. Deut. 8:7-9. &c. Ps. 45:1. 101:1.
b Cant. 2:16. 5:2,16. 6:3.
c 27:2,3. Ps. 80:8. Cant. 8:11, 12. Matt. 21:33. Mark 12:1. Luke 20:9. John 15:1.
* Heb. the horn of the son of !
d Ex. 33:16. Num. 23:9. Deut. 32:8,9. Ps. 44:1-3. 105:44,45. Rom. 9:4.
Or, made a wall about it. e Jer. 2:21.
thus sanctifies believers, or any part of his professing church, he will vouchsafe them the tokens of his favor, and the comforts of his presence, in their habitations, and in their assemblies; and he will assure them of his guid
Israel's protection, guide, and honor, in pass-ance and protection, through the perils of the
ing through the wilderness: and it is here predicted, that God would equally take care of all the habitations of his people, as well as all their assemblies for public worship. ( Notes , Ex . 13:21,22. 40:36-48.) When he puts his glory on them, by a new creation unto that holiness, which is his own glory, ( Note , 2 Cor . 3:17,18.) he places them under his special protection; as the sple splendid curtains of the tabernacle were covered by those of goats' hair, and of badgers' skins. ( Note , Ex . 26:7-14.) Thus he defends the church, and every true believer, from temptation and persecution, and from all perils in life and death. ( Notes , 25:3| -5. 32:1,2,16-20. Zech. 2:1-5, v. 5.)-As a
wilderness, "as the light of a flaming fire by night, and as a tabernacle for a shadow from the heat by day." For if we be made glorious by the renewal of his image on our souls, "on all this glory shall be a defence," during the trials of life, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment. Let us then seek earnestly to be washed from sin and made holy, and then we must be safe and happy. Let us assure ourselves, that the Lord will take care of his own cause, in all possible emergencies: let us seek his presence in our families, and his protection of our habitations, by constantly worshipping him in them; and his blessing upon our assemblies, that his ordinances may
prophecy this will receive a more signal ac- be honorable and useful: and let us anticipate
complishment in the times predicted.
A tabernacle. (6) 'In countries subject to 'violent tempests, as well as to intolerable 'heat, a portable tent is a necessary part of a 'traveller's baggage, for defence and shelter.' Bp . Lowth .
with joy those blessed times, when the purity, extent, peace, glory, and security of the church will fully explain the import of these predic tions. ( Note , Rev. 20:1-6.)
NOTES.