CHAP. LXV. V.1, 2. The preceding chapters might seem to intimate, that God had treated the rfation of Israel] with undue severity: but in this he answers the supplicants, and shews them the reasons of his past conduct, as well as his gracious purposes in future, towards them, and the church in general.
The subject *is so arranged, that the Lord seems to have the wvhole nation of Israel, and all their generations at once present before him, and sometimes to address one company, and sometimes another : because they have been treated with such marked severity, for the rebellions of the nation, during the whole time, that they continued the professed people of God, and not for the sins of any one generation exclusively. St.
Paul quotesthese verses, to shew the Lord’s purpose of calling the Gentiles, and casting off the unbelieving Jews. (Note, Rom. x. 18—21.) And he here seems to mention this part of his conduct, to shew that he did not reject the nation for want of a disposition to mercy, though he acted according to his wise and holy sovereignty in the exercise of it.
The heathen nations did not seek after him, or call on him, nor were they called by his name, yet, without their solicitation, the shel of the gospel were sent among them. ‘Thus was he “* sought ‘“‘ for,” or ** made known to,” them that asked not for him; and ** he was found of them that sought him not:” for when they were pursuing their sinful projects, and devoted
| to their idols, without knowing or thinking any thing about
the God of Israel, he demanded their attention, called on them to look to him for salvation and happiness, and dis-him, as the work of his hands; nor need he hesitate to cast || posed their hearts to obey-the call: and thus he shewed to-himself unreservedly on his sovereign mercy, tobe disposed || wards them “ the unsearchable riches” of his grace.—* The
B. C. 706.
h iii. 8. Dent. HARU. bO—Iy. © Kin ss xvii. l4
3 A "people that provoketh me to nig, xvi. anger continually ‘to my face: * that te. Jer. xen, SACTificeth in gardens, and burneth incense
35. Ez. Vill, . ° 17, 1% Mat. upon * altars of brick : Kail $2-~-36. ‘ " : \ { sob.i'ti tins. 4 Which ‘remain among the graves, lev. xvii. sand lodge in the mountains, ™ which.
Jer. iii. 6. Ez.
» px, Cat swine’s flesh, " and ft broth of abo- Xx. a4, 28. 20x- minable things is in theif vessels: +o att, 5 Which say, ° Stand by thyself, come
16€—920. Mute. viii, 8 ME not near to me; for 1am holier than thou.
Vili. 97.
misvi.d.:7. Ley.” These are a smoke in my + nose, %a. X1.7 DeuL. xiv. 8. n Ex. xxiii, io fire that burneth all the day. xiv.s.s1 Bz. © Behold,‘ z¢ ¢s written before me: ‘I id td r) e t e 2 Oeypleces. i, Will not keep silence, ‘but will recompense,
39. xv. 2. even recompense, into their bosom,
Row ier? ie 7 Your “iniquities, and the iniquities ude 19.
p Prov. vi. 16, 17. x. 26. xvi. 5. Jam. iv. 6. 1 Pet.v. 5. + Or, anger. q Deut. sxcxix.
20. XXXii. T1—22. r Ex. xvii. 14. Deut. xxxii. $4. Ps. lvi. 8. Mal. iil. 16. Rev. xx. 19. s xii. 14. xiv. 12. Ps.1.9.91. ¢ Ps. Ixxix. 1@. Jer. xvi. 18. EZ xi. 21. xxii. $1. Joel iii. 4. w Bx. xx. 5. Lev. xxvi. 39. Num. Xxxii. 14. Ps. Cyi. 6, 7. Dan. ix. 8. Mutt. xxiii. 31—36.
‘Gentiles, which knew not God should seek after him, ‘ when he had moved their hearts with his Holy Spirit ;’ but the Jews had these blessings continually proposed to them ; and Christ and his apostles invited them first to accept of his salvation. Thus JEHOVAH spread forth his hands full of mercies, and earnestly exhorted them to accept of them, and he persevered in this all the day long: (Notes, Prov. i. 24-91. Matt. xxii. 37—39. Luke xix. 41—44 :) but they persisted in rebellion, and preferred their own vain devices and evil ways; their.sadducean infidelity, their pharisaical hypocrisy and traditions; and their ambition, covetousness, and iniquity, to all the blessings of the Gospel and the kingdom of the Messiah : and thus they justly merited to be cast off, and to experience all the miseries which have since overtaken them.
V. 3—7. No doubt the Lord guided the mind of his prophet, to draw the character of the Jews in such a manner, that it might serve for a reproof of the people in his own times, as well as for the warning of after ages, They were a people, who continually provoked God in the most avowed manner, even in his more immediate presence, at Jerusalem and the temple. In contempt of his law, they would sacrifice in gardens and on high places : nay, they ‘ burnt incense” also upon altars of brick or tile, or on the tops of their houses: (Notes, Ex. xx. a8—os. 2 Kings xxill. 12, 19. Jer. xix. 13.
Zeph. i. § :) though this ought to have been done by none but the priests, within the sanctuary, on the golden altar, or on their censers.—Because God had made the touch of a dead body, or grave, a ceremonial uncleanness; they chose to abe and even lodge among the toimbs,. for superstitious or idolatrous purposes; and as using witchcraft or necromancy : and, despising Wi authority, they ate swine’s flesh, and carried even,the broth made of unclean meats, or parts of the abominable sacrifices to their idols, in their vessels, perhaps {dr acceptable presents to their frierids... (Note, Lev, xi. 3-8.) These were evidences of their self-will, and preference of their own inventions to. the appointments of -God, and of their carnal enmity to him. and his holy service, Yet, at the same time they were full of a proud opinion of superior sanctity, and despised. others as unworthy to come near them. (Notes, Luke xviii. g—14.
Rev.
4
ISAIAH.
B; C. -706,
of your fathers together, saith the Lorn,
which have *burned incense upon the = lvil. 7, «Kings mountains, and -* blasphemed me upon 2 3 3; the hills: * therefore will [ measure their! 5% Srertser.
former work isto their bosom. Ma le a oe 8 | Thus saith the Lonrp, * As the te. it te new wine is found in the.cluster, and one” 1. dante. 69 saith, Destroy it not, for a blessing 2s in Mark sii.’ a. it; so will I do for my servants’ sakes, *%. xi. », 6. 9 that I may not destroy them all. b x, a~o0 ai IF g And "I will bring forth a seed out of 3s-,=3H- 3o= Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my 2)."."gwit mountains: and ‘ mine elect shall inherit %—2: ami. it, and my servants shall dwell there. wai, Zeph. ill
10 And * Sharon shall be a fold of, Ie ene
flocks, and ‘the valley of Achor a place 5 for the herds to lie down in, for my people % Ee. xaie. that have sought me. Se a "i, 17.) This hateful temper was peculiarly prevalent |
among the Pharisees, especially in the days of Christ: and, notwithstanding their hypocrisy and iniquity, they deemed themselves the only favourites of heaven, and could disdainfully say to a poor heathen, or publican, or harlot, even when penitently crying for mercy, ‘ Stand -off, ‘keep thy distance, I am holier than thou.’ These were most offensive to the Lord: even as smoke is offensive to the man, who has it continually under his nose, The nearer they approached to him, the more he abhorred them; and thus they kindled his indignation, and rendered it as ‘‘ a fire that burneth all the day.’ Their sins from age to age being written before him; he would not always keep silence, but would certainly recompense upon the generation, who crucified Christ and rejected his gospel, all the iniquities of their fathers as well as their own transgressions: (Notes, Matt, xxii. 29—96 :) and, as their posterity have ever since persisted in the same spirit of enmity tq Christ, they have inherited as a legacy this sentence denounced upon that generation.—The swine was the most common sacrifice among idolaters; and therefore more abhorred by conscientious Jews, than, any other unclean animal.—By ‘* the broth of ‘ abominable ‘‘ things,’’ many understand the kid seethed in his mother’s milk, which is repeatedly forbidden in the law. (Note, Ex.
XXIll. 19.
V. Peas In the bunch of grapes, which being unripe is at present of no value, the new wine is tontained as in embryo; and therefore the owner gives orders that it may not be destroyed, ‘* because a blessing is in it.” Thus the nation of Israel has been spared through many generations, for the sake of those believers, who shall hereafter arise from it: and the Jews have been preserved a distinct people, that all men may witness this remarkable accomplishment of ancient prophecies and promises. Had not the Lord kept this mercy in store for the remote posterity of ‘his servants,” Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he would have destroyed the whole nation by the Romans and. others, when they were cast: out of the church. Notes, vi. 19. Matt. xxiv. 21, 22. ‘Rom. xi. 22—g2.)
ut he had determined in process of time to bring a spiritual seed out. of Jacob, to, inherit the. privileges of his.true
_ should be thankiul is almost wholly forgotten!
3
B.C. 706.
ott, » 11 @ But ye are ‘they that forsake
g8i. i sa. .the Lop, * that forget my. holy moun-vi. 7. ivii. 13.
Ps. _cexxt, 13, tain, that " prepare a table for that * troop,
terrax, s. and that furnish the’ drink-offering unto
b lvii. s—10. Deut.
xxl i7erithat tnumber.
‘at. 1 Cor. x6, 42 Therefore’ will I number you to the + Q-Gaa- — sword, and ye shall all bow down to the Vill, @. x. Lev. slanahter : “because when I called, ye did
saat. co. J notanswer; when I spake, ye did not hear:
ve att ax, but ‘did evil before mine eyes, ™ and did T's wx. « choose that wherein I delighted not.
ie. Prov. i 84 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord Gop,
zech. wi. 1 Behold, "my servants shall eat,-but ye
ij shall be hungry: behold, my servants 13.1. 16.Jer.xvi. shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: be-m= ixvi. $, 4. Pray. i, @9. nu Py. xxxiv. 10. x¥xvil, 19,20, Mal. iii. 18. Luke xiy. 23,
4. xvi, uw, Qs.
type: and these privileges may he denoted by Sharon and Achor, two. distant parts of the land, feeding flocks and herds
CHAPTER LXV.
and because they are hid from mine eyes.
«BCC. “06.
hold, ° my servants shall rejotce, but Ye? Dan xia shall be ashamed : p xxiv. 14. lie, 9.
Job xx.x. 13. Ps.
14 Behold, ° my servants shall sing for 7samoweis.. joy of heart, but “ye shall cry for sorrowof ‘42. xsi.ts. Leke heart, and shall howl for +vexation of spirit. + Heb. breating.
Proy. Ne a Jer.
15 And ‘ye shall leave your name for 3*'x. sz. Zech.
Vins 1%,
a curse unto my chosen: for * the Lords !3. bi. ts, 16. Gop shall slay thee, and call ‘his ser- 34,7)! Th vants by another name: t Ixii. 2. Acts xi.
26. Rom. ix. 2. 16 ‘That " he who blesseth himself ine peso 25.9. the earth ; shall bless himself in * the God « Distuxxiis.ps
e xX) 5.1 . i. of truth; and "he that sweareth in the 5, ier. x. ‘0. nt - 17.
earth, shall swear by the God of truth : Ziv. 6. meb. vi * because the former troublesare forgotten, ¥.
» 18. Xix. 18. xlv.29—- 25.xlvini.i. Deute vi. 13. x. 90. Ps. : \xiii. V1. Jer. xii...
16. Zeph. i. 5 Rom. xiv. J1. Phileii. 11. 2 19. xi. 16. xii. 1. XxxV¥. 10. live 4. Jer. xXXi. 120 Ez. Xxxvi.@5—97 Dan. xii. 1. 11, 12. Zeph. iti. 14—20. Rev. xx 4.
‘people on earth and in heaven. Of these Canaan was a | Criminals ordered for execution, and like them they should
bow down to be slaughtered: because when Christ and his apostles called them, they would not answer, nor be obe-for their use,; when they should have returned to seek the | dient, but continued in those things, in which he could not
Lord.—It seems also evident that the nation, when converted, will be restored to their own land, and enjoy its productions as in ancient days. (Notes, Jer. xxxi. 35—40. Ez. xlviii,.) There was indeed ‘‘ a remnant, according to the «¢ election of grace,’”’ reserved when the Jews were rejected : but the events above-mentioned scem more immediately predicted. (MMaxg. Ref. Note, Rom. xi. 1---6.) ‘“ When one “«¢ findeth a good grape in a cluster, &c.” (Bp. Lowth.)
“ Can any man produce an example of the Hebrew word
Thirosh, signifying, ‘‘ one good grape?” No reasonis assigned for this translation: but it serves to hide from the reader the doctrine of election: and by the same arbitrary method of substituting in translations one word for another ; any doctrine may be concealed from the unlearned reader. Thirosh, mustum, wine, or ncw wine. It is thus translated, I believe, in every place where it is used, and it occurs nearly forty times.
V. 11, 12. The Lord here addresses the idolatrous Jews, who willingly forgot mount Zion, to offer sacrifices to a whole troop, a vast number of worthless idols; furnishing out atable and feasting together in honour of them.
Or, the words ‘* Gad” and “« Meni,” (Marg.) translated ‘‘ troop” and ‘‘ number,”’ may be names of some idols. ‘* Preparing “<¢ a table to the deamon, and filling a mixture,” (or, a drink offering of a mixed wine,) ‘* to fortune.” (Sept.)—‘ The ‘ holy. scriptures did not deigr to explain more clearly what « these objects of idolatrous worship were ; but chose rather ‘ that the memory of the knowledge of them should be ut- « terly abolished: and God be praised, that they are so totally « abolished, that we are quite at a-luss to know what, and ‘ what sort of things, they were.’ (Schimidius in Bp.
Lowth,) What perverse pains then do many learned men bestow ta bring them again to light; and to explain that which we But these abouninations are so consigned to oblivion, that the meaning of the sacred writers cannot be ascertained.—Though the Jews, in the days of Christ and in succeeding ages, did not commit gross idolatrics ; yet they manifested the same spirit of rebellion, perverscness, and enmity to God. He therefore added, that he wold number them to the sword, as
a
delight ; that is, such as he utterly abhorred.
3. Matt. xxi. 93—44-)
V. 13—15.
When the Romans were about to besiege Jerusalem, the Christians, perceiving the signals of approaching desolations, anid obeying the directions of their Lord, left the devoted city and land; but the bulk of the Nation, pertinaciously defending themselves, endured the extremest miseries. ‘Thus the Christians were well. provided: for, in all respects, and rendered abundantly joyful in the- Lord, while the Jews were perishing with hunger, and thirst ; and were howling with anguish and despair.— Nay, so great: were their obstinacy and misery, that the chosen,: or elect. servants of God could think of no more dreadful curse, to deprecate from themselves and their friends, than-the judi-. cial blindness and hardness of heart, the wickedness and. punishment of a Jew! (Notes, Jer. xxix. 21—9393.
Zech. vill. g+-15.) ¢ This may mean, changing the name of Jew ‘ into that of Christian.’ (Lowth.) Ina short time millions were slain, by one dire massacre after another; the Nation was cut off from being the people of God; and ‘© Jews” no longer was the distinguishing appellation of JEHOVAH’s worshippers, but he hath called his servants by another name, even by that of ** Christians.” (oles, 1xil. I—5. Acts xi, 25, 29.)
V.. 16. The introduction of the christian dispensation, and. the rejection of the Jews, or, Israelites, made way for the propagation of true religion among the nations, which could not so readily be done, whilst the Jews continued the peculiar people of God, and the worship of the temple was maintained. So that the events before predicted, came to pass, in order that men in every part of the earth might bless them-
(Note, 1. 1—
-selves in the name of the Ged of truth, or seek happiness
from him; and that they, might swear by his name as his worshippers, and not by. that of any idol: and the trath of the scriptures being clearly demonstrated, by the accomplishment of these prophecies, would conduce to the convic-. tion of the natigns ; lead them to regard JEHOVAH as a God of truth, worthy to be feared and trusted; and excite them to imitate his truth in their professions and engagements. (Notes, ov 23—265. 1s, &xil. 27—30. Jer. xvi. 19—22e b | .
B. C. 706.
e 431i, 16. levi. 92. 2 Pet ii 15. Rev.
17q For, behold, *Icreatenew heavens and a new earth: and >the former shall
Krai t—S.
b Jer. iin 14.
® Heb. upor the heart.
Cc xii. 4—6. xlii. 10 =~ 12. xiv. 23.
18 But ‘be ye glad and rejoice for ever ixric ois. Pim that which I create ; for, behold, I area eat sno Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her peo- Zech ix.9. Rev. pfe 4 JOY. aoe 1o And ‘I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and ° the voice of exw vev-ro, Weeping shall be no more heard in her, xexiciy kevvi, NOY the voice of crying. : f Deut iv.a0.sob 20 There ‘shall be no more thence an % infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an
giti.t. Bewviite. hondred years old; ®%but the sinner, Leimg
Rom. ii. 5--Y
16
G Ixti. 4, 5. Cant. Hii. tt. Jer. xxxii. 4\. Zeph., ii. 17. Luke xv. 38. 5.
ISAIAH.
not be remembered nor come * into mind..
21 And "they shall build: houses, and” 35; 4? 242: inhabit them ; and they shall plant vine- ing. vs. yards, and eat the fruit of them. Y ine 22 They:shall not build, and
B. C.706.. ° . 14. Rev. xx $—-5, " inhabit; they shall not plant, and another Bem make them eat; ‘for as the days of a tree are the, shell wear out.
days of my people, and mine elect shall ziti 30 one t long enjoy the work of their hands. Tals
23 They * shall not labour in vain, nor sat 'it:9 2h: bring forth for trouble ; | for they are theissi.o-ces. Sie,
seed of the blessed of the Lorn, and their 4,18. Sera
offspring with them. s.beheull tat . 24 And it shall come to pass, that ™ be- 3¢ x 7,8. Gal: fore they call I will answer ; and while ™)+#-9,r.xaaa.
they are yet speaking, I will hear. Dian. i, 20-23. 24, Luke xv. 1820. Acts iv. 31.x. 90—S@. xii, 5—16, 1 John v. If, 15,
eet escrremnnenpstgrreenmeerspenccenemn-crern sae cee en A AS “eA, CPP
‘ AMEN: so the expression,’ (‘¢ the God of truth,”) ‘ may ¢ properly be understood of Christ, who is ‘* the true God,” “ (1 John v. 20,) and called AMEN or, the Truth, (Rev. iii. ‘ 14,) probably in allusion to this place. (Compare 2Cor. ‘ i, 20;) and the words mean, that,all spiritual blessings ‘ shall be derived from him.’ (Lowth.) (Notes, 2 Cor. i. 17—20. 1 John v. 20, 21. Rev. ili. 14—16,.)—Our Lord is the only person, recorded in scripture, who used the words rendered ‘‘ Verily,” or, ** Verily, verily, I say unto you :” and the original is ** Amen, Amen.” (Notes, Matt. vi. 5. John iii. 3.)
V. 17—19. The apostles Peter and Jonn, use the expressions, ‘* new heavens and a new earth,”’ for the heavenly
state after the end of the world and the day of judgment ;-
(Notes, 2 Pet. ili, 10-19. Rev. xxi. 1—4 3) and St.
Peter says, that ‘* we look for it according to his promise,” which may refer to this very passage: yet the context requires us to interpret the words, in this place, of that state of the church on earth, which shall most resemble the world of glory, in knowledge, holiness, and felicity, and which will terminate in it. (Note, lx. 15—22.)—By the -new-creating power of God, the circumstances of the church and the character of men, shall be so altered, that it will appear as anew world; so that the former confusions, iniquities, and miseries of the human race shall be no more remembered, or renewed. (Nofe, Rev. xx. 1—6.) The servants of God are therefore commanded to rejoice in this new state of things, which he was about to create: for he would make Jerusalem, (the true church,) and all her inhabitants joyful, and a joy to all around them ; nay, he would rejoice in them, and put a final end to all their sorrows and complaints. (Notes, XXV. 6—-8. xxxv. 8—10.
Rev. vii. 13—17.)
V. 20. The approaching happy condition of the church is next described, under a variety of images, many of which we have not before met with. Longevity is here promised,
‘* that time,” children shall not generally be cut off in in-’ fancy, nor even old men till they have filled the measure of their days. Insomuch, that he shall be thought to die in his’ youth, who lives to the age of a hundred years: whilst the sinner, who lives to a hundred years of age, shall at last die accursed ; or, he that shall die at the age of a hundred years, : shall be considered as dying in his youth, as a punishment for his sins. The event alone can certainly determine whether this is meant literally, or figuratively : but it is evident, that. the universal prevalence of real Christianity would so terminate wars, murders, contention, idleness, intemperance,’ and licentiousness, as greatly to lengthen out the general term of man’s life. Many diseases, which now destroy
Hes. iz. 1114,
thousands and tens of thousands, in the prime of life, and .
communicate distempers and feeble bodies to succeeding generations, would in that case scarcely be heard of any more: and thus the human constitution would soon be much mended, and children would generally come into the world more vigorous and healthy, than they can do while vice so greatly prevails, What God may further intend in this matter we cannot determine. So
V. 2i—23. Here the outward peace of the church, and
her freedom from persecutions, seem principally intended.
Every one in those happy days shall be allowed to possess the fruit of his labours, and shall live long to enjoy it; and even to wear it out: (Note, Deut. xxviii. g32—g2:) for their days shall be as the days of atree. An oak: is supposed to be meant, which will sometimes endure a thousand years:
from the time when it is planted, till that of its total decay: -
and thus the days of God’s chosen shall be as those of the antediluvians.—But may not this refer to the thousand years,' during which Satan shall be bound up, and the prosperity of the church continue? (Notes, Rev. xx. 1—6.)—Nor will children then be the trouble of their parents, heirs of trou-’ ble themselves, or a short lived race; but their blessings shall be entailed on their offspring also.—The converted Gentiles, as well as the Israelites, will be owned as the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, “ the blessed of the Lorn,” and with their posterity inherit the blessings promised to them and their seed. (Nofes, Ixi. 7—9. Gen. xii. 1-3. Ps. cxv. 14, 15. Marg, Ref.)
V. 24, 25. (Notes, lviii. 8—19. Jer, xxix. 11—14. xxxill. g. Dan, ix. 20-23. Acts iv. 89-81. xii. 12-17.)
#
_ B.C. 706.
nm xi, G—@ xxxXv. 9 Acts ix. 1.
9 *!.,' Sc together, and the lion shall eat straw like o Gen. it. 14,15. the bullock: and ° dust shall be the ser-iev. v7 —o-pent’s meat. They *shall not hurt nor RX. 2 8. see : A p 4.219. mic. destroy in‘all ‘my holy mountain, saith att Be xt the Lorp. - ) xiv. 20, gi. Rev. xiv. I. :
- 3° CHAP. LXVI.
God regards a broken heart, more than he
The prayers of the people shall then be answered without
delay, and in the most abundant manner: for, whereas we now pray, that ‘‘ the knowledge of God may fill the earth ‘© as the waters cover the sea,” and ages pass on before our prayers are answered ; their desires in this respect shall be granted before they speak : for then ‘* the name of God will << be hallowed, his kingdom come, and his will done on ‘© earth,” in great measure, ‘‘ as it is heaven.” (Nore, Matt. vi. 9.) The malignant dispositions of sinners of every description will then be most completely mortified, and they will all become harmless, amiable, and harmonious. . (No/e, xi. 6—g.) The old serpent shall then be deprived of his
_ prey, and have the ancient sentence fully executed upon him.
(Notes, Gen. iii. 14, 15. Mic. vii. 14-17. Rev. xx. 1—3.) And thus the church. on earth shall be full of peace and happiness, like heaven. None can doubt, but this yet remains to be accomplished.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. . V. I1—10.
The Lord may say of-all, who are numbered among his people. on earth, or in heaven, that ‘‘ He was found of s¢ them, who sought him not.” When we were strangers and enemies, ‘‘ foolish and disobedient, serving divers lusts <¢ and pleasures,” he prevented us by the call of his word, and the influences of. his grace: and whenever, or in what manner soever, we were disposed to seck the Lord ; he first suggested the thought, and created the disposition, and, ‘having thus led us to seek and pray unto him, he further made himself and his ways known unto us. (Notes, xlii. 19 —17. Eph. ii. 4-10.
Tit. iii. 3—7.) Often he meets with some thoughtless profligate, or prejudiced opposer, and, as it were, says to him, ‘ Behold me, here 1 am, come to me ; ‘ Look unto me, and be saved ;’ and a speedy change takes place; Saul is found among the Christians and apostles, and a spiritual worshipper appears in the church of God: whilst others, brought uP under the gospel, to whom the Lord daily ‘‘ stretches forth his hands,” proffering salvation to them, grow more ahd more rebellious, and follow their own perverse inclinations and evil courses, in defiance of him.— Too often likewise, he. has cause to say of his professed worshippers, that they “‘ are a people, who provoke him con- ‘¢ tinually to his tace ;” and that they manifest the same ungrateful spirit, and rebellious alienation from him, and the same perverse disposition to prefer their own inventions to his ordinances, truths, and precepts, as the Jewish nation did. —-Where the power of gadliness is decayed, men become proud of the worthless form: and plausible hypocrites are of ait men most prone to louk on the ignorant, the erroneous the careless, the immoral, or profane, with disdain and loathing: nay, they contemn the humble and penitent, and say
CHAPTER L&XVI. 95 The ® wolf and the lamb shall feed |
B.C. 706. did the temple itself ; and he abhors hy-. pocritical and unbelieving sacrifices, 1—
‘4. The confusion and ruin of the persecuting Jews, 5,6. The rapid enlargement and great prosperity of the church, 7——14. The vengeance of God on ithe wicked, as connected with the still more extensive success of the gospel, and as witnessed by all his worshippers, 15—2A.
of those, in whom God delighteth, ‘¢ Stand by thyself, I am
‘¢ holier than thou!’ When knowledge, gifts, reputation, or religious performances, foster this hateful propensity, they become most injurious to the possessor: and, however he may admire himself, or be admired by others, he is as odious and displeasing unto God, as ‘* a smoke in the nose ;” and nothing more kindles, or feeds, the fire of his indignation, than such a disposition and conduct.
Let us then watch and pray against pride and self-preference: remembering that every sin, and the most secret thoughts of men’s hearts are written before God, and will assuredly be brought to light, and recompensed upon every impenitent sinner: and when nations or churches have filled up their measure of iniquity, they will be punished with temporal judgments for their own sins ; and for those of their fathers which they have imitated.— Among the various reasons, which induce the Lord to spare ungodly men, one is, that ‘‘ a blessing is in ‘¢ them.”” Some one, or more, or many, perhaps very many, shall descend from them, to form a part of his chosen flock ; and therefore he bears with them from year to year, that he may “‘ bring forth a seed out of them to inherit his: ‘* holy mountain.” All things indecd are for the sake of his chosen people: the kingdom of providence is administered, and the frame of nature is preserved, for the display of the glory of God in his church of redeemed sinners. (Notes, -1 Cor. iii. 18 —23. 2 Cor, iv. 13—18.) 3 V. 11-25. | aie In every age and nation, the Lord consigns to destruction, those, who forsake his service to follow their own lusts and devices ; and especially such as persist in doing evil in contempt of the call of his Gospel.—Sometimes he makes an evident discrimination on earth, betwixt his servants and his enemies: but this will be uniformly visible hereafter; and whilst his servants will be satisfied with his love, filled with. joy, and abound in his praise ; his enemies shall endure the extremest miseries, in the regions. of despair, where are ** weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.” That the de-~ clarations of God’s word to this effect wiil be exactly accom. plished, we may be assured, by the lung continued contempt and miseries of the Jews: for the Lord hath indeed Icft their name to be **a curse unto his chosen,” having cut them off,, and called his people by another name ; as he declared thet he would.
But when they shall be restgred to their privileges, the truth of God will be rendere | still more ecnspicu-ous: that all the earth may bless themselves in him, render him worship, and swear unto him in truth and righteotisness.. | Then the long continued troubles of the church shall ceasey, and her prosperity wili commence. But w.at a cuange will this be, when the earth shall be filluu with spiritual rcli-gion, and exact righteousness! It may well be called. ** new 1gk2 ..B. C. 706.
@1 Kings viii. 27.
ee ete v. Vi. ] e bed ty
xi. a xcix, 9. s’My throne, and the earth is my
ve at, gb xa footstool: where is the house that ye pian, vi, p_7, build unto me? and where is the place
Mai Lis mas Of My rest ¢
axvesobniv. 9 For ‘all those things hath mine oti Gen, ;,hand made, and all those things have
Hovis: |” been, saith the Lorp ; but “to'this man 4 maidoco sere Will I look, even to him that is poor and
yaiv.isit7.0f a contrite spirit, and © trembleth at
8 He ‘that ‘killeth an ox, zs as if he
18 . e 3. "Bova ix. 4. X. 3. ‘Ps, cxix. 120. 161, Prov. xxviii. 14. Hab. iii. 16- Acts ix. 6. xvi, 29 so. Phil. il, 12. f iv 1115. Prov. xy. 8. xxi. Of. Am. Vv. Qi, 22.
$,4. Lukexviti.
“ heavens and a new earth:” for as we can scarcely frame
an idea of so glorious a scene; so the inhabitants of the world in that blessed period will not bé able to form an idea of the wretched and confused state of the earth, during the long continued and general prevalence of vice and impiety. We shall not live to share this joy and gladness: but we “may mix our lamentations over the scenes which we now ‘witness, with rejoicings in the prospect of happier times: and, if believers, we shall in heaven share the joy of them when they actually arrive.
Our troubles also will soon be terminated by death, and our God will rejoice over us to do-us good for ever. (Notes, lxi. g, 10. Jer. xxxii. 399 —41. Zeph. iii. 14—17,) Even the natural evils of the world would be inconceivably diminished, if all men were true and consistent Christians: and their lives would be prolonged, and rendered more com- ‘fortable in every respect. Yet it we be prepared for heaven, -and have finished our work on earth ; we need not complain ‘ of dying too young ; for all the ends of life will be answered, ‘as much as if we had lived to be a hundred years old.
But the sinner must be miserable, whether he live to be old and to treasure up wrath, or be cut off young and cast into de- Struction: and all his planting, building, and labouring must be left to others § whilst he is driven away in his wickedness.
On the other hand, the believer may rejoice even in his temporal labours, that some, perhaps many, will be benefited by them, when he is removed to a better inheritance; where he shall Jong enjoy the gracious recompence of all his services, yea, even for éver and ever: and he may also hope that his children will be favoured after him, as ‘‘ the seed of the “< blessed of the Lonp.”—Thongh our prayers are not now alwaysansweredimmediately, yet they will beinduetime: and the more instant and fervent we arc in this respect, the fuller evidence we shall possess that the Lord regards the desires of our hearts, and sometimes grants them, before we can express them in words, or whilst we are yet speaking: so that we are employed in praise, when we meant to be pouring out our prayers, But Jet us especially pray to be changed, from wolves aad lions, into lambs and doves, and to be made harmless, gentle, and useful: then we may be assured, that ‘* God “¢ will bruise Satan under our feet shortly,” and that we shall be admitted to his holy habitation, where none shall hurt, or destroy, but all shall be love and enjoyment, for ever and
ever. - 7s | NOTES.