CHAP. XLVI.
The idols of Babylon unable to preserve themselves from captivity, 1, 2. The powerful care of God over his people, even to
ers for the same important ends. ( Notes , Rev. 1:3. 22:6,7.) Whether peace and prosperity, or evil and adversity be allotted us; we should recollect, that the Lord creates all these things, that all creatures are his instruments, and that nothing can exceed the limits which he assigns it. From God "the Father of lights cometh every good and perfect gift:" and even the evil, that he permits, is over-ruled for greater good to all his faithful servants, and to the more complete discovery of the glory of his name.
But, But, whilst we submit to his will in those troubles, which come upon us through the wickedness of men; and give him the glory of all the good that is wrought in us or done by us: let us take all the blame of our sins to ourselves; for "God cannot be tempted of evil, neither tempteth he any man." Let us turn his promises into prayers, and beseech him, that "the heavens may pour down righteousness" and grace upon the earth, rendering it exceedingly fruitful; and that salvation, with all its sanctifying effects, "may spring forth and abound in every land;" that our "God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
V. 9-14.
down right
the end, 3, 4. Idols, made with great expense, not to be com pared with God, who declares his purposes before he executeth them, especially the deliverance of the Jews by Cyrus, 5-11. The stoot hearted far from righteousness, but salvation near to Israel, 12, 13.
his despised people, and make them heirs in Christ Jesus; and they shall all know, that God honors and dwells in his church, and that none else can bless them. Many have thus yielded themselves to Christ and to his people, and have supplicated admission to their communion and privileges; others will continue to come in to them, till his cause has gained the entire ascendency: and all who truly join themselves to the Lord and his people, are constrained by love, to devote their labor and substance to promote his honor and cause, and to count 'his service perfect freedom.'
V. 15-25.
Our God and Savior often hides his tender
compassions behind frowning dispensations; and requires us to walk by faith, and to give him credit for his wisdom, justice, truth, and mercy, when we cannot see them; for "what he doeth we know not now, but we shall know hereafter." (Note, John 13:6—11, v. 7.) 7.
If then he hides his face from us, let us humbly wait for him: for, while the most prosperous sinners, and self-confident hypocrites, will soon go into confusion together; they who trust in the Lord, and partake of his grace, shall be saved, in and by him, "with an everlasting salvation, and shall not be ashamed or confounded for ever." Neither his works nor his word are in vain: as he created the world to be inhabited; so he gave Israel his oracles that they should be proclaimed, and his promises that they should be believed.
He would not have this light put in a secret or dark place, but diffused far and wide; and he never said to the seed of Jacob who wrestled, and prevailed, and was surnamed Israel, that they should seek his face in vain. (Notes, Gen. 32 24-28.) For the Lord speaks in truth and righteousness: and though to the proud, carnal heart, his words appear obscure; they are all plain to the humble soul, as well as sincere and faithful, and to be entirely depended on.
Let sinners then renounce their iniquities and superstitions, and cease to pray to mediators or idols, that cannot save: ( Notes , Ps . 68:19, 20. John 4:21-24, v. 22.) and let them with one consent draw near to him, who is "a just God and a Savior," and who glorifies his righteousness in pardoning the most atrocious offenders, when they, penitently and in faith, rely on the merits of Jesus Christ and "come to God by him." ( Note , Heb . 7:23-25.) Не, who once was lifted up on the cross, now calls from his glorious throne, and invites ail the ends of the earth to look to him for salvation.
He is "the true God and eternal life;" and besides him there is no other able to save from the wrath to come.
In one way or another all must come before him, and submit unto him: for he has irrevocably confirmed it with an oath, that "every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear, unto him." As we then must all appear before his judgment seat; and all his enemies however fierce or powerful, yea, all that will not have him to reign over him, must be covered with shame and confusion: may we now come to him as "the LORD our Righteousness, and trust in him for acceptance, sanctification, and victory over every enemy: that we may be justified, and rejoice and glory, in Him, and in his salvation, and walk worthy of it; and at last be "present
We ought carefully to watch over ourselves, and repress any risings of our hearts against the decrees, dispensations, and precepts of the Lord. It is madness in the extreme for us frail creatures to contend with the Almighty, while we see such numbers perish by their contests with feeble mortals like themselves. JEHOVAH disdains and abhors our impotent arrogance and perverseness, when we dare to object to his sovereign appointments.
It is our wisdom to reverence the depths which we cannot fathom, and to silence our presumption by considering our own ignorance and weakness, and his infinite perfections; and by taking it for granted, that "the Judge of all the earth will do right." ( Notes , Gen. 18:2326. Rom. 11:33-36.) We may inquire of the Holy One of Israel, concerning the things, which he freely gives to his children, and of what he requires of his creatures; and we may ask what we will of him in humble prayer, and he will do it for us, if it be for our good.
But it is intolerable insolence in any man, to demand an account of the Lord's dealings, as if he had authority to interfere, and give orders to him how he ought to dispose of his own works. Yet nothing is more common than objections and decisions, which imply this horrid blasphemy!
But let us endeavor to get acquainted with our own character and place; and to wait the performance of the Lord's promises, in the way of his precepts: and in due time he will answer all objections, and clear up all difficulties.-Our offended Creator, when he might have left us captives to sin and Satan, to whom we were sold for our crimes, has raised up a mighty Redeemer for us, even his own Son; who, having satisfied the divine justice with the sacrifice of himself, sets the souls of believers at liberty, "without price or reward," and makes them citizens of that holy city, which he has builded for his own eternal residence.
As this greatest of all promises has already been accomplished, we inay be assured that all the rest shall in due season. ( Notes , Ps. 138:2. Rom . 5:6-10. 8:32 -34.) He will bring all the potent and migh-ed faultless before the presence of his glory ty nations of the earth to join themselves to || with exceeding joy." ( Note , Jude 22-25.)
B EL boweth down, Nebo stoopeth; weigh silver in the balance, and hire a their idd
idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle; your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast :
2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, d but * themselves are gone into captivity.
3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you .
5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and
a 21:9. 41:6,7. Ex. 12:12, 19,10. 71:6. Ez. 16:6-16. Jer. 50:2. 51:44,
Sam. 5:3,4.
47,52.
b 2:20. Jer. 10:5.
с 36:18,19. 37:12,19. 44:17. 45: 20.
d Judg. 18:17,18,24. 2 Sam. 5: 21. Jer. 43:12,13.
Heb. their soul is.
e See on 44:1,21.-48:1,17,18. 51:1,7. Ps. 81:8-13.
f See on 1:9. 10:22. 11:11-37:4. g 44:1,2. 49:1,2. 63.9. Ex. 19:4. Deut. 1:31. 32:11,12. Ps. 22.
h 41:4.43:13,25. 102:26,27. Mal. 2:16. Rom. 11:29. Heb. 1: 12. 13:8, Jam. 1:17.
i Ps. 48:14. 71:18.
k See on 40:18,25.-Ex. 15:11. Ps. 86:8. 89:6,8. 113:5. Jer. 10:6,7,16. Phil. 2:6. Col. 1: 15. Heb. 1:3.
1 40:19,20. 41:7. 44:12-19. 45: 20. Ex. 32:2-4. Judg. 17:3, 4. 1 Kings 12:28. Jer. 10:4, 9,14. Hos. 8:46. Hab. 2: 18-20. Acts 17:29.
NOTES.
CHAP. XLVI. V. 1, 2. Bel, (a contraction probably of Baal,) and Nebo, were the two principal idols of Babylon.
When that city was taken by the Persians, the images of these Imaginary deities were seized on by the vic- tors, and broken down: and among the rest, no doubt, the golden image, set up by Nebuchad- nezzar: ( Note , Dan . 3:1-7.) for the Persians were generally Magians, who did not worship idols, but the sun under the symbol of fire. (Note, 45:7.) They would therefore load their beasts of burden, or their waggons, with the metals of which the images were formed; and carry them into captivity.
"The expressions '... allude to the custom of carrying idols in 'procession, which was a solemn piece of 'worship paid to them; whereas now they 'were carried about, by way of contempt and 'derision.' Lowth .
When the Philistines took the ark of God, it became a burden to them , and they were induced to send it back, with trespass offerings, and memorials of their own disgrace: (Notes, 1 Sam . 5:6:1-18. 2 Sam . 5: 21.) but the idols of Babylon would only prove a burden to the "weary beasts" which carried them away; as they could neither deliver themselves, nor those who had "the charge of them;" as the word rendered "burden" (2) seems to mean. Their soul. (2) Marg . He 'derideth their idols, which had neither soul nor sense.' ( Notes , 21:6-9. Jer. 43:8-13. 50: 2,3. 51:47.)
V. 3, 4. The continued care, which the Lord had always shewn towards Israel, and all his powerful works in their behalf, are here contrasted with the impotency of the gods of Babylon. The latter had been carried off by the weary beasts: the former had always car- ried Israel, in the arms of his love and power, as the nurse carries and tends the new born
goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him and set him in his place and he standeth: from his place shall he not remove: yea, • one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
SP Remember this, and shew yourselves men: a bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me;
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
11 Calling za ravenous bird from the
m 2:8. 44:17. Dan. 3:5-15.
n 1 Sam 5:3. Jer, 10:5. Dan. 3:1.
ο 37:38.45:20. Judg. 10:12-14. 1 Kings 18:26,40. Jer. 2:28. Jon. 1:5,14-16.
p 44:18-21. Deut. 32.29. Ps. 115:8. 135:18. Jer. 10:8. Cor. 14:20.
q 47:7. Ez. 18:28. Hag. 1:5,7. Luke 15:17. Eph. 5:14.
r 42:9.65:17. Deut. 32:7. Neh. 9:7,&c. Ps. 78: 105: 106: 111: 4. Jer. 23:7,8. Dan. 9:6-15.
s See on 45:5,6,14,18,21,22. t See on 5. Deut. 33:26. น 41:22,23. 44:7. Gen. 3:15. 12: 2,3.49:10,22-26. Num. 24:17 -24. Deut. 4:25-31.28:15, &c. Acts 15:13.
x 11. 43:13. Ps. 33:11. 135:6. Prov. 19:21. 21:30. Dan. 4:35. Acts 3:23. 4:27,28. 5:39. Rom. 11:33,34. Eph. 1:9-11. Heb. 6:17.
y 13:2-4.21:7-9.41:25. 45:1- 6. Jer. 50-29.51:20-29. z Ez. 39.4
infant. ( Notes , Ex . 19:4. Num . 11:11-15. Deut . 1:29-31. 32:11,12.) JEHOVAH had done this from the time when they were called out of Egypt, which was as the birth of their church and nation, to their deliverance from Babylon, when become, as it were, helpless through old age: and thus he would always do, whilst they continued to be his people. ( Notes , Ps . 71:5-9,17,18.) -Remnant , &c. (3) Israel, as distinguished from Judah, was reduced to a small remnant. I am he. (4) 'I am 'the same' (God): 'so the phrase is translated. ' Ps . 102:27. Lowth .
V.5-9. The Jews were always prone to make images representing God, as well as to worship the idols of other nations. But he here called their attention to the lavish and useless expense, to which the idolaters put themselves, in making a lifeless image, that was only a trouble and burden to them.
It was rather a likeness of a dead corpse, than of the living God: when they had with much labor carried it, and fixed it in its place, they would be sure to find it there, except it should be thrown down or stolen: ( Notes , Judg . 18:13 -26. 1 Sam . 5:1-5.) for it could not move itself; and therefore it was not able to answer their prayers, or deliver them out of their trouble. ( Notes , 40:18-20. 41:5-7. 44:9-20 Ps . 115:3-8. Jer. 10:1-11.) Let then the Jews remember these things, and shew themselves men, acting like reasonable creatures, and avoiding such an absurd abomination.
Let those, who had thus apostatized, review their conduct and retract their error; considering the former works of God to his people, by which he shewed himself exclusively entitled to their adoration.-Some think, that the folly of idolaters is thus repeatedly exposed, to prevent the captive Jews in Babylon, from conforming to the idolatry of then conquerors; and indeed they seem to have kept far more
free from that crime, when living among idolaters, than they had done in their own land.
V. 10, 11. From the beginning of the world God had declared what would come to pass to the end of time; ( Note , Gen. 3:14,15.) and from ancient times he had predicted the things, which were not then accomplished. He had declared his determinations, and no power in the universe could defeat them; but "his counsel should stand, and he would do all his pleasure:" especially he would call Cyrus, like an eagle or bird of prey, from a far country, "the man of his counsel," to execute his purposes of delivering the Jews. ( Notes , 14:24-27. 44: 6-8,24-28. 45:1-8. Dan . 4:34-37. Rom . 8: 29-31. Eph . 1:3-8.3:9-12.)-The standard of Cyrus was a golden eagle, and the rapidity of his conquests answered to the emblem.
expects felicity
man, who trusts in God, and from him! As his providence seems especially to watch over the helpless infant, and those who are decrepit through age; so his gracious care is peculiarly employed about the new- born babes of his family, and those who are grown hoary in his service.
The history of the life of every individual, from the womb to the grave, is a kind of abstract of the history of Israel, through their successive generations: and, notwithstanding all our ingratitude and rebellions, we have each of us experienced numberless instances of JEHOVAH's powerful protection, and tender care over us. we have learned to trust and love him, we need not be anxious about our remaining years, or days: he will still watch over us, and pro- portion our strength and comforts to our trials; he will bear with us, carry us, and deliver us, both as the creatures of his power, and as new created by his Spirit.
We may then regard, with equal pity, those who lavish their gold in vain superstitions, or ruinous pleasures, and those who hoard and idolize it, though it can do them no good in the time of trouble. Did we indeed shew ourselves men "in understand-
If then
V. 12, 13. Obstinate, presumptuous, and impenitent sinners, both of the Jews and Gentiles, were here addressed. Such were "far from the righteo ghteousness," both from that of the law, and that of faith; yet they were summoned to hearken to the word of the Lord. He would speedily perform his righteous engagements to his people, exec ople, execute his just vengeance on his enemies, enemies, and establish his righteous- ing;" ( Note , 1 Cor . 14:20-25, v. 20.) we should ness in the earth.
He would deliver the Jews with shame renounce all kinds of ungodliness from Babylon, again make Zion his peculiar and iniquity, as they are altogether unmanly residence, and there reveal his salvation: and and irrational: but by yielding to our propenthere it should be stationed, for the benefit of sities as fallen creatures, we forfeit our disIsrael, in whom he gloried, and in and by tinction as reasonable beings, and become whom he would be glorified. -Bishop Lowth either brutish or diabolical.
Let transgressors "far from deliverance:" and again that render- let them consider that there is none like him, righteousness," then call to mind the works and words of God: translates the clause "far from righteousness," ed, "my righteousness," "my promised promised deliver- or that can do as he doeth: let them notice how ance:"--but this greatly obscures the the meaning he has "declared the end from the beginning, of the text; and it may be q questioned, whether and from ancient times, the things which are the word be ever used in that sense. It is a now doing," but not yet completed: and let
substantive from the same root )צדק( with that
adjective, which he renders speaking truth , in the clause, (as it stands in our version,) "A just God and a Savior." ( Notes , 45:20--25. 51: 4--8.61:10,11.)
Far from righteousness . (12) 'Such as do not 'think it reasonable to acquiesce in my prom'ises, which whosoever believeth, it shall be 'accounted to him for righteousness.' Lowth . Shall not tarry . (13) Shall not be postponed , or delayed ; that is, beyond the appointed time. ( Notes , Gen. 49:10. Dan . 9:24-27. Hag . 2:6 -9.) This solemn declaration is a full refutation of the pretence of the Jews, that the coming of the Messiah is postponed, because of
their sins.
them remember, that, however they may be- have, "his counsel shall stand and he will do all his pleasure;" he will certainly bring to pass all that he has purposed and spoken, both of mercy to his people, and of vengeance on his enemies. Whilst men continue proud, and stubborn, and stout-hearted in their rebellion against God; they are as far from the grace of the gospel, as from the righteousness of the law.
For the salvation of a sinner begins with a broken and contrite heart, which trembles at God's word; with true repentance, submission to God's righteousness, and faith in his mercy, through the obedience unto death of our divine Surety; and this ensures reconciliation unto God, and the willing obedience of love and gratitude.
"The righteousness of God" in gratitude the The Christ is now brought now brought near; his salvation is re- vealed in his word, and communicated through his ordinances; ces; all believers partake of it, and become the glory of the Lord, who is and for ever will be magnified in them and by them. Let then the stout-hearted hearken unto him, and humble themselves before him; that he may be glorified in their salvation, and not in
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The things, from which ungodly men expect safety and happiness, will soon be torn from them, and be totally incapable of saving them from death and hell: even at present they have much more trouble than comfort from them; and they commonly become an encumbrance and a snare to those, to whom they afterwards devolve. ( Note , 2:19-21.) But happy is the || their destruction. ( Notes and P. O. 2 Thes. 1:
NOME a down, and sit in the the dust, O Off mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very
COME
virgin-daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
2 Take the mill-stones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, & make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
3 Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: "I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a
c Ps. 137:8. Jer. 50:42. 51:33. k 13:20. 14:23. 1 Sam. 2:9. Ps. Zech. 2:7.
d 14:13,14. Ps. 89:44. Hag. 2:22.
e 7-9.32:9-11. Deut. 28:56, 57. Lam. 4:5. Rev. 18:7. f Ex. 11:5. Judg. 16:21. Job 31:10. Jer. 27:7. Lam. 5:13. Matt. 24:41. Luke 17:35.
g 3:17. 20:4. Jer. 13:22,26. Ez. 16:37-39. Hos. 2:3. Mic. 1: 11. Nah. 3:5,6.
h 34:1--8.59.17,18. 63:4-6. Deut. 32:35,41-43. Ps. 94:1, 2. 137:8,9. Jer. 50:27,28. 51:4,
31:17. 46:10. Jer. 25:10. Lam. 1:1. Hab. 2:20. Zech. 2:13. Matt. 22:12,13. Jude 13. Rev. 18:21-24.
1 7. 13:19. 14:4. Dan. 2:37,38. Rev. 17:3-5,18. 18:7,16-19. m 10:6. 42:24,25. 2 Sam. 24:14. 2 Chr 28:9. Ps. 69:26. Zech. 1:15.
n 43:28. Lam. 2:2. Ez. 24:21. 28:16.
heavily laid thy yoke.
7 And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art *given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am , and none else beside me; "1 shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: "they shall come upon thee in their perfection, a for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am , and none else beside me.
NOTES.
7:12,13.
| y 13:19. Ps. 73:19. 1 Thes. 5: 3. Rev. 13:8-10.
z 13:20-22. 14:22,23. Jer. 51: 29,62-64. Rev. 18:21-23.
a 12,13. Dan. 2:2, 4:7. 5:7. Nah. 3:4. 2 Thes. 2:9,10. Rev. 9:20,21. 18:23. 21:8. 22: 15.
b 28:15, 59:4. Ps. 52:7. 62:10. c 29:15. Job 22:13,14. Ps. 10: 11. 64:5. 94:7-9. Jer. 23:24. Ez. 8:12. 9:9.
d 5:21. Ez. 28:2-6. Rom. 1: 22. 1 Cor. 1:19-21. 3:19.
* Or, caused thee to turn away.
e 8.
calamities, which would overtake numbers of her inhabitants, in the different ravages to which that devoted city would be exposed. ( Notes , 13: 14: Jer. 50: 51: Rev. 17: 18:)
V. 4. The prophet, representing Israel as a nation, or the believing Jews, in prospect of these events, interrupts his prediction, by thus exulting in the LORD of Hosts, as the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to ransom his people, and inflict vengeance on their enemies. ( Notes , 49:24-26.54:4,5. Jer . 31:10-14.)