CHAP. IX.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, ana Predictions of deliverance and joy to the people of God, through not increased the joy: hthey joy before
the incarnation, salvation, and kingdom, of Christ, 1-7: of dreadful vengeance on Israel, for their pride, hypocrisy, and impenitent wickedness, and through the success of their enemies, and their own furious contentions, 8-21.
in Galilee of the nations.
thee according to the joy in harvest, k ana as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 + For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor, as in the day
Midian.
5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with p burning
and fuel of fire.
g 26:15.49:20-22. Neh. 9:23. Ps. 107:38. Hos. 4:7. Zech. 2: 11. 8:23. 10:8.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell fin the land of the shadow of death, upon them Or, to him increased the joy.
hath the light shined.
and so trust his promises, as to obey his precepts. In all this, neither obscurity, nor any thing dubious, can be found: but those who speak contrary to this word, and attempt to establish ought in opposition on to it, are evidently infatuated and "blinded by the god of this world:" and all the miseries, which ever were felt or witnessed on earth, are as nothing, compared with that anguish, despair, and blasphemy which will shortly overwhelm them. Then will they fret themselves, and curse those who have led them into their delusions; and, looking round on every side for help, but in vain, they shall be driven into "the blackness of darkness for ever." May the Lord preserve us from this condemnation!
NOTES.
h 12:1. 25:9. 35:2,10.54:1. 55:12. 61:7,10. 65:18. 66:10. Ps. 4:7. 126:5,6. Jer. 31:7,12-14. Acts 8:8. Phil. 4:4. 1 Pet. 1:8.
i 16:9,10.
k Judg. 5:30. 1 Sam. 30:16. 2 Chr. 20:25-28. Ps. 119:162. Luke 11:22.
Or, When thou brakest. 1 14:25. 47:6. Gen. 27:40. Lev. 26:13. Jer. 30.8. Nah. 1:13.
'ise to those parts: ... whereas the contrary is 'rather suggeste suggested in the usual translation of 'the words. Lowth .
V. 2. When Israel forsook "the law and the testimony" of God, the nation was left in darkness and ignorance, wickedness and misery; as "in the land of the shadow of death," a shadow of the state of the wicked in another world. But when Christ came, "a great light shined upon them," to shew them the path of truth, comfort, and holiness. ( Marg . Ref. Notes , 60:1-3. Matt . 4:12-17, v . 16. Luke 1: 76-79. John 12:34-36. Acts 26:18-20.)
V. 3. The nation of Israel had been immensely multiplied, notwithstanding all calamities: yet in general their joy was not increased, because of their sins. But when this light arose, believers rejoiced before God with holy joy; as men rejoice when they reap the harvest, after the toil of cultivation and the patience of waiting for it; or when they divide the spoil, after the perils of the battle. ( Marg .
Ref .- Note , 53:9-12.) 'When thou shalt thus graciously visit thy people, howsoever the 'nation shall not be greater than it now is, yet the joy of it shall be more: as now contrarily, the people are more, but the joy is not more. Bp . Hall . The prophet notes it to be a reli'gious joy; because it is said to be before God, that is in his presence, and with a grateful ac'knowledgment of his benefits. ( Deut . 12:12.)' Lowth .
Several manuscripts read, (as the margin also does,) "Thou hast to him ," (or to the nation, to Israel,) "increased the joy:" which seems to denote, that the events predicted would be the source of greater joy to all true Israelites, the substance of the nation, ( Note , 6:13.) than any of their former deliverances; though at the same time, the unbelieving Jews, who constituted the bulk of the nation, would be driven into darkness: as they accordingly were, both as to their outward miseries, and their dark and blinded state in respect of spiritual concerns.
CHAP. IX. V. 1. The connexion of this verse, with those which precede and follow it, is attended with great difficulty; and its meaning, as it stands in our translation, very perplexed. It probably should be rendered, "But there shall not hereafter be darkness in the land which was distressed: in the former time he debased the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali: but in the latter time he hath made it glorious; even the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations." Bp . Lowth.
The kings of Assyria first ravaged those countries, which lay on the coasts of the sea of Tiberias, and on the northern part of Jordan, called "Galilee of the Gentiles," as bordering on the Gentiles, or long occupied by them: (1 Kings 9:11. Note, 2 Kings 15:29.) and that region was first favored and honored with the preaching of the gospel by Christ and his apostles. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , John 1:4346.2:1-11.( The word )הכביד( rendered "more grievously afflict," may mean, and indeed more properly signifies, made glorious: and this gives a clear sense to the passage.
Whatever judgments came upon unbelievers, or the nation in general, mercy was reserved for Israel, which would be first communicated to those parts of the land, which had been first ruined. And this event seems to have been exclusively predicted, according to St. Matthew's interpretation of it. ( Note , Matt . 4:1217.) To make the Hebrew text correspond 'with the sense of it given by the Evangelist, 'we must understand it as a comfortable prom-ed. By the gospel of Christ and the pouring
V. 4, 5. The Jews were successively delivered from the burdensome and galling yoke of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Persians, and Macedonians: but these deliverances were only a shadow of redemption from the yoke of Satan; and that redemption seems here especially predicted, as if already accomplish
6 For unto us a Child is born, unto 7 Of the increase of his government us a Son is given: and the government and peace there shall be no end, upon the
shall be upon his shoulder: and this name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, * The mighty God, The everlasting Father, * the Prince of peace.
Col. 2:3.
x 45:24,25. Ps. 45:3,6.50:1. Jer. 23:5,6. John 1:1,2. Acts 20:28. Rom. 9:5. Tit. 2:13. 1 John 5: 20.
y 8:18. 53:10. Prov. 8:23. Heb. 2:13,14.
z 11:6-9. 53:5. Ps. 72:3,7. 85: 10. Dan. 9:24,25. Mic. 5:4,5. Luke 2:14. John 14:27. Acts 10:36. Rom. 5:1-10. 2 Cor. 5: 19. Eph. 2:14-18. Col. 1:20, 21. Heb. 7:2,3. 13:20.
out of his Spirit, the Lord brake the yoke from off his people, and delivered them from the heavy burden, hard drudgery, and cruel treatment, of that insolent oppressor; as in the day when he delivered Israel from the Midianites by Gideon. ( Notes , 10:24-27. 14:24-27.61: 1-3.
Judg . 7:16-25.) Those battles, by which successful warriors rescued nations from oppression, were attended "with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood;" but the redemption, here predicted, would be "with burning, and fuel of fire:" the influences of the Spirit are like purifying fire; sharp afflictions, as a fiery trial, refine believers as gold in the furnace: and the predicted events were attended with most tremendous vengeance upon the unbelieving Jewish nation; as they will be finally on all unbelievers. (Notes, 2 Thes . 1:5-10.
Rev. 20:11-15.) -Some explain the fifth verse of the burning of the weapons of war, the accoutrements of warriors, and the garments rolled in blood. under the reign of the Prince of peace. ( Notes , Ps . 46:8,9. Ez . 39:8-10.)
V. 6, 7. The connexion of this illustrious prophecy with the preceding verse assures us, that it was the immediate scope of the Holy Spirit in the whole passage, to point out the coming and kingdom of Christ. The prophet spake of the pr predicted blessings, as if already communicated.
"Unto us ," says he, "a Child is born." Angels say, "Unto you ;" (Note, Luke 2:8-14, v. 11.) but this Child was born for the benefit of us men, of us sinners, of us believers, of all believers from the beginning to the end of the world.- "Unto us a Son is given." The only begotten Son of God is given to us, and for us, to become the Son of man; that he might be our Surety, Sacrifice, Advocate, and Salvation: he was given by the Father, and he gave himself.--"And the government shall be on his shoulder." ( Marg . Ref . s.--Notes, 22: 20-25.
Rev. 3:7.) The Redeemer rules, not only over his people, but over all worlds as Mediator, for their benefit; and he is able to support the weight of this universal and absolute authority. ( Notes , Matt . 28:18. Eph . 1: 15-23, v. 22.
Phil . 2:9--11.) "His name shall be called WONDERFUL:" he is wonderful in his person, as 1MMANUEL, God and man, "God manifest in the flesh;" in his love and mercy; in his hatred of sin, and righteous regard to the holy law; in his compassion to the vilest and worst of sinners; in his majesty and humiliation; in his perfect righteousness, and willing sufferings; and in the method which he took to baffle Satan, overcome death, reconcile divine justice and mercy, and establish his kingdom by dying on the cross. In every part of his character and work, he may justly VOL. IV.
throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even for ever . The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
8 The Lord d sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
9 And all the people shall know, feven
a 2 Sam. 7:16. Ps. 2:8. 72:8- 11.89:35-37. Jer. 33:15-21. Dan. 2:35,44. 7:14,27. Luke 1: 32,33. 1 Cor. 15:24-28.
b 11:3-5. 32:1,2. Ps. 45:4-6. 72:1-3,7. Heb. 1:8. Rev. 19:
11.
с 37:32. 59:16,17. 63:4-6. Ez.
36:21-23.
d 7:7,8. 8:4-8 Mic. 1:1-9 Zech. 1:6. 5:1-4. Matt. 24:35 e 26:11. 1 Kings 22:25. Job 21 19,20. Jer. 30:24. 44:28,29. Ez 7:9,27. 50:19. 33:33.
f 7:9. 10:9-11.
"be called Wonderful;" and also, in that his glory is incomprehensible, "for no man knoweth the Son but the Father." ( Notes , Gen. 32: 29,30. Judg . 13:18--22. Matt . 11:27.)--He should also be called "Counsellor:" the Word and Wisdom of God came forth from him, to make known his perfections, truths, and will; to be made wisdom to us; and to be our infallible Counsellor in all difficulties and perplexities; so that they, who depend on his guidance, and pray for his Spirit, are led "in the midst of the paths of judgment." ( Notes , Zech. 6:12,13. John 1:18. Eph . 3:9-12.
Col. 2:1-4,8--10.) For "this Child born" is indeed "the mighty God," one with and equal to the Father, according Trinity in Unity: he possesses all divine atther, according to the sacred mystery of the tributes, and exercises them through his human nature: and thus is he "mighty" to save his people, and to vanquish and destroy all enemies. ( Marg .
Ref . x.- Note , 1 Tim . 3:16.) -He is also "the everlasting Father:" "the second Adam, the Lord from heaven," "the everlasting Father" of the whole church, which derives its spiritual being and life from him, as the whole race of men derive their existence from the first Adam.
He is "become to all them that obey him, the Author of eternal salvation:" ( Heb . 5:9.) 'the Author of 'eternity, by whom the church and every 'member of it, shall... have immortal life." (Note, 1 Cor . 15:45--49.) "The Septuagint ren'der the words Πατηρ μελλοντος αιώνος, “The Fa'ther of the world to come;" and the Vulgar 'Latin follow this translation; which since the 'Hebrew words admit of it, I can't but have a 'particular regard for: because I am per'suaded it is from the authority of this text, that 'the kingdom of the Messias is called in the 'New Testament, by the title of μελλων αιων, " The age, or world to come." (Matt. 12:32.
' Heb . 2:5. 6:5.)' Lowth . And as he has loved his church "with an everlasting love;" so he will for ever live to bless it, being "the Prince of peace:" the great Author of reconciliation to God; the Giver of peace in the heart and conscience; the Prince, who commands all his subjects to live at peace with each other, and inclines them to follow peace with all men. (Marg. Ref . z.--Notes, Jer. 23:5,6.
Heb . 7:13.)--"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." When his kingdom is truly set up in the heart, the efficacy of it shall endure and increase for ever: as it is set up on earth, it shall continue to diffuse its influence, till his authority be universally submitted to, and produce universal harmony; so that men shall "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; [41
Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and *jom his enemies together;
12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with topen mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched
out still.
13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.
1 Deut. 31:17. Ps. 79:7. 129:3-6. Jer. 10:25.
↑ Heb. whole mouth.
m 17,21. 5:25. 10:4. Jer. 4:8. n 1:5 26:11. 57:17. 2 Chr. 28:22. Job 36:13. Jer. 5:3. 31:18-20. Ez. 24:13. Hos. 5:15. 7:10,16. o 31:1. Deut. 4:29. Jer. 29:1113. 50:4,5. Hos. 3:4,5.
neither shall they learn war any more;" ( Notes , 2:2--5. Rev. 20:1--6.) yet even this shall be increased, and perfect in heaven for ever.-He shall reign "upon reign "upon the throne of David, to order it and establish it... from henceforth even for ever." (Note, Luke 1:26--33.) He rules in
14 Therefore the LORD will cut off
from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
15 The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: * for every one is an hypocrite and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh "folly.
p 3:2,3. 19:15. 2 Kings 17:6-20.
For
1-3. 1 John 4:1. Rev. 19:20. Or, they that call them blessed.
Hos. 1:4,6,9. 4:5.5:12-14. 8:8. 9:11-17. 13:3. Am. 2:14-16. t 3:12. Matt. 15:14. 23:16,&c.
3:12. 5:2,3. 6:11. 7:8,9,17. 9:19. Mic. 1:6-8.
q 10:17. 30:13. Hos. 10:15. Rev. 18:8,10,17,
r 3:5. 5:13. 1 Sam. 9:6.
s 28:17. 29:10. 1 Kings 13:18. 22: 22-24. Jer. 5:31. 14:14,15. 23: 9,14,15,25-27. 27:9,10,14,15. 28:15,16. 29:31,32. Ez. 13.116,19,22. Hos. 9:8. Mal. 2:9. Matt. 7:15. 24:24. 2 Cor. 11: 13-15. Gal. 1:8,9. 2 Thes. 2: 9-12. 2 Tim. 4:2,3. 2 Pet. 2:
lently
le 'side, or the other, patched on to them. Those lently torn asunder, have been, on the one 'relate principally to the kingdom of Judah; this is addressed exclusively to the kingdom 'of Israel.' Bp . Lowth . The Lord had, in the law of Moses, and by the ministry of the proph
perfect wisdom and equity; he requires right-ets, denounced dreadful threatenings on those
eousness of his subjects, and teaches them to do judgment: he justifies and sanctifies them, and at length will present them faultless before his Father's throne. And, though his mediatorial kingdom, as he reigns in human nature over all worlds, to fulfil his gracious undertakings, will then terminate, "that God may be all in all;" yet his special relation to his people, as their Lord and King, will endure for ever. ( Notes , Dan . 2:44,45. 7:13,14. 1 Cor . 15:20--28.)--These predictions implied most stupendous interpositions of the Lord, in the belhalf of his people; and the complete performance of them would be attended with immense difficulties: yet the "zeal of the LORD," for the glory of his own justice, truth, and love, and of his holy law and service, would ensure the event; and his power, as the LORD of hosts, would render the whole perfectly easy. ( Note , 2 Kings 19:30,31.)-The exact coincidence of this prophecy with the doctrine
of the posterity of Jacob, who should renounce his worship; and this word "lighted," or was about to have its full effect, on the people of Israel. Then the Ephraimites, (the kingdom of the ten tribes,) and the citizens of Samaria, would know the truth of JEHOVAH'S word, and the power of his wrath. For under the more gentle rebukes, by the first inroads of the Assyrian kings, they continued proud and stouthearted, and despised the judgments of God; boasting that they would rebuild their ruined cities and palaces, in a far more magnificent manner, and with more durable materials. Butindeed he was about to visit them with more dreadful vengeance: for the king of Assyria, the adversary of Rezin, would shortly subjugate Syria; and then, under the command of the conqueror, the Syrians would appear as enemies to Israel: and whilst these combined forces met them from the east, the Philistines would also attack them from the west, and cut
of the New Testament, in the literal interpre-off those who attempted to flee. Thus they
tation of each, shews evidently, that Jewish prophets and Christian teachers had precisely the same view of the person and salvation of the Messiah: and not only tends to demonstrate the divine authority of the scriptures, in opposition to avowed infidels of every name; but to assure us of the doctrines intended to be taught by them, that we may be fortified against the subtle attempts of more covert enemies to explain them away.
would devour Israel with open mouth, as the wolf does the helpless lamb; or, in every corner , as the clause may be rendered: yet even this would not appease the Lord's anger, or prevent his continuing to execute vengeance upon them. ( Note , 5:24,25.)-Some expositors, by a change in the text, on the authority of certain manuscripts, suppose that the princes , not the enemies , of Rezin are meant: but in fact the desolations of Israel were principally made by the Assyrians, after they had subverted the kingdom of Syria, and we do not any where read, that either Rezin, or his princes, invaded the kingdom of Israel. ( Notes , 7:59.8:6-8.2 Kings 15:19,20,29. 17:1-6. 18:9
V. 8-12. This whole passage,' (to the fourth verse of the next chapter,) 'reduced to 'its proper and entire form, and healed of the 'dislocation, which it suffers, by the absurd di'vision of the chapters, makes a distinct proph'ecy and a just poem, remarkable for the regu-12.) 'larity of its disposition, and the elegance of its 'plan. It has no relation to the preceding or the following prophecy; though the parts, vio
Shall know, &c. (9) 'With briers and thorns 'Gideon taught the men of Succoth; '16.) or, as the margin reads, "made them to Succoth; ( Judg . 8:
all this his anger is not turned away, but his shall be as the fuel of the fire: no mar hand is stretched out still.
18 For a wickedness burneth as the fire: bit shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up
of smoke.
shall spare his brother.
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry: and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied they shall eat every man the flesh of his
own arm:
19 Through the wrath of the LORD OF 21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, hosts is the land darkened, and the people
'know" what they had deserved.' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . )
Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
rious would their contentions be; and yet, when occasion offered, the most enraged par
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-7.
V.13-17. The Israelites did not at all re-ties would unite to harass the kingdom of Jupent of their sins, or return to the worship of dah. ( Marg . Ref . Note , Gal . 5:13-15.) the Lord, when he punished them; nor did they seek help and protection protection from his power. He was therefore determined to cut off every order and description of men from the land; even "the head and the tail," as from the body of an animal; even the stoutest branch from a tree, and the rush which grows in poor or marshy lands. By "the head," the elders and nobles of the land were intended; and their false prophets were "the tail," the most worthless and contemptible part of the body politic. ( Notes , 29:9-12.56:9-12. Jer . 23:16-30. Ez . 13:1-16. Mal . 2:4-9. Rev. 19:17-21.) For
both their rulers and teachers had flattered the people in sin, and grievously misled them to their destruction: ( Marg . -Note , 3:12-15.) and they were become so wretchedly corrupt, that every one was either profane, or a hypocrite in his religion, and an evil-doer in his dealings, and deceitful in his conversation: so that God could no longer take pleasure in any of them, neither would he have mercy even on orphans and widows, seeing even they were involved in the general guilt and condemnation; nor would any judgments short of utter ruin appease his wrath, or terminate the execution of his vengeance. The leaders , &c. (16) 'When the blind lead the blind, both fall into 'the ditch. The margin reads, They that call 'this people blessed. Lowth . (3:12.)
The Lord sometimes visits with his choicest mercies those places which have experienced his severest vengeance: and the gospel, faithfully preached, is an abundant counterbalance for all the temporal vexations, to which any nation can be exposed. Wretched is the state of fallen man without this blessed word of salvation. Men "walk on still in darkness," yea, in the way to final darkness and hopeless misery. Such must have been the dreary con
dition of the whole human race, ever since the entrance of sin, had it not been for the promised Savior, who, "in the fulness of time," "came a Light into the world," "to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of his people." Blessed be God, this "Sun of Righteousness" has risen on our land, and still shines around us with glorious splendor: yet numbers prefer darkness, and choose to continue "in the land of the shadow of death," that they may have no disturbance in their sinful pursuits. ( Notes , Job 24:13-17.
John 1:4,5. 3:19-21.) Yea, many who glory of living in this enlightened age, and even of being its luminaries, hate this heavenly light, and prefer to it their own proud imaginations and vague conjectures! But let us remember that this light is intended "to guide our feet into the ways of peace:" and let us earnestly pray that it may shine into our hearts, and make us wise unto salvation. Then indeed the multiplying of believers will "increase our joy" in the Lord.
This will far exceed "the joy of harvest," or of "those who divide the spoil;" ( Note , Ps . 4:6-8.) and abundantly recompense us for all our godly sorrow, self-denial, diligence, losses, and per
V. 18-21. The wickedness of the nation, like a fire for a time smothered up, would at length burst forth into a universal conflagration, causing all their glory to vanish, as the columns of smoke ascend and are dissipated. ( Notes , 27:2-6. 33:10-13. Ex . 15:6-8. Deut . 32:22. Job 31:9-12. Ez . 20:45-48. Mal . 4:1. Luke 23:26-31. Acts 2:14-21.) For their sins rendered them fuel for the wrath of God, and this would darken all their hopes and prosper-secutions for the Lord's sake: for if he has
delivered us from the slavery of sin and Satan, he will at length rescue us from the yoke and scourge of every oppressor. Our chief conflict must be with our own sins; and in this warfare we may hope to obtain more splendid victories, than any conqueror ever did in his bloody contests: for the influences of divine grace will daily weaken our lusts; even fiery trials and afflictions shall concur in securing our victory; and every advantage over the enemy will be an earnest of our eternal triumphs, when made "more than conquerors through him who loved us."-But all our hopes and joys originate from the incarnate
ity: and, whilst his judgments, and their enemies, straitened them on every side, they would be so infatuated as to destroy each other without mercy.
In their extreme necessity they would plunder and devour one another; snatching on every side for sustenance, yet consumed by unsatisfied hunger, till they were ready to tear their own flesh, or to destroy their nearest relations, as both Manasseh and Ephraim were descended from Joseph. ( Note , 49:22-26.)-When they thus preyed on their nearest relations, from whom help might have been expected; they, figuratively, "ate every man the flesh of his own arm." ( Jer . 19:9.) But the more they were wasted, the more fu- || Redeemer: "for us men and for our salvation' The words of terror which God has spoken will as surely be accomplished, as those of his love; and they often "light" with dreadful efficacy upon his professing people: for they, who will not trust and serve him as a God of mercy, must know him as a "God to whom vengeance belongeth." That pride and stoutness of heart, which render numbers fearless of consequences, and induce them to despise rebukes and warnings, and to flatter themselves, and each other, with the hopes of impunity and prosperity in sin, will hasten and aggravate their destruction: and unless the afflicted "turn to him that smiteth them," and humbly seek his mercy, "his anger will not be turned away, but his hand will be stretched out still;" and temporal calamities will only prove an earnest of eternal misery.
Even "the ancient and honorable" will thus perish, if they continue in sin: but the false teachers, who for filthy lucre's sake promise them peace, will be marked with peculiar contempt and detest-might ation. Yet how common is it for "the leaders of the people to cause them to err," and for "the blind to lead the blind," and to speak
he became "a Child born, a Son given," that he might be "the propitiation for our sins:" for us he obeyed, suffered, and died; for us he arose, ascended, reigns, and intercedes; in our behalf, "all power is given to him in heaven and earth." "Let us adore the wonders of his person, character, and love; and learn in every thing to seek and follow his "counsel," as well as to obey his command. (Notes, Prov . 1:1931.
Rev. 3:17-19.) We may indeed safely intrust our souls in his hand, for he is "the mighty God," and if, from him as "the everlasting Father," we receive spiritual life, and bear his image, and are "counted to him for a generation;" we shall certainly enjoy that peace which he made and bestows; and shall learn, as the subjects of "the Prince of Peace," to be peaceable and peace-makers, and to seek the peace of the church and of the world.
Let us then pray without ceasing, that his government and peace may increase in our hearts; and rapidly diffuse their benign influence in the world, until they prevail against all opposition, and make all things subject unto them. No doubt, this will ere long be the case: for "the zeal of the LORD of hosts will surely perform" whatever relates to the execution of his purposes, the ruin of his enemies, the prevalence of his cause, and the salvation of his people.
V. 8-21.
peace and blessedness to themselves, and to each other; till they fall together into the pit of destruction! (Notes, Deut. 29:19,20.
Jer . 6: 13-15.)-The righteous Lord can take no pleasure in the workers of iniquity, however they may be distinguished: if those, who are young in years, be old in wickedness, they may expect the more speedy punishment: nor will he spare the impenitent, however otherwise entitled to commiseration.- mmiseration.-Hypocrisy, or impiety, is commonly connected with dishonesty and deceitful insinuation; and when these become general, they mark a people ripe for destruction: for this is a fire which will consume all before it.
The vengeance of God is frequently executed on men by means of their own iniquities: and in times of public calamity, the rich and noble are only distinguished from the poor, as the lofty cedars are from the briers and thorns, when the whole forest is destroyed by one general conflagration.
But all that can be suffered on earth, from the anger of the Lord, is but a shadow of the wrath to come: and the enraged and furious discord to which men have sometimes been given up, when suffering for their sins, to the increase of their own and each other's torment, suggests to the mind a horrid idea of the misery of the wicked in another world; when, bereft of all hope and comfort, and enduring the fiery wrath of God, every one will be tormented by his own conscience, and express without restraint all his malignant passions; and so enhance the anguish and vexation of his fellowsufferers.
Blessed be God for "Jesus Christ, who delivereth us from the wrath to come!"
NOTES.