CHAP. II. V. 1. The rulers, magistrates, and wealthiest of the people, devised evil in their hearts on their beds, forming their schemes of oppression and robbery during the night, and arising early to carry them into execution; having power power to overcome all opposition to their iniquities, and to bear them out in them. ( Marg . ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 2,3. 3:8-12. 7:1-4, v. 3. Ps . 36:3,4. Hos . 7:5-7.)
V. 2, 3. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 1. 3: 1-4 . Ex . 20:17. 1 Kings 21:1-16. Neh . 5:1-5. Job 24:2-12. 31:38-40. Is . 5:7-10. 10:1-4. Jer . 22:13-19. Am . 3:1-3. 8:4-10. 9:1-4. Zeph . 1:9. Jam . 5:1-6.) 'As they devise mis'chief against others; so will I devise an evil against them as a due punishment for their
sin be pardoned and subdued, we have noth- 'sin. As they have unjustly deprived others of ing to fear, at death, or in the day of judgment. 'their inheritance; so shall a conquering ene
-Capital cities and great men too often give examples of idolatry, impiety, and iniquity, which flow from them throughout whole kingdoms, and infect all the lower orders in society; and the judgments of God will follow
'my dispossess them, and carry them into cар'tivity.... The word family is equivalent to ' people . (Jer. 1:15. 8:3. 10:25.)' Lowth.
V. 4, 5. The Lord, by the Assyrians and Chaldeans, would make the whole house of Is
in the same channels, and in the same propor-rael dolefully to lament, that their portion was tion: for ringleaders in wickedness must ex- changed from prosperity in the promised land, pect to have the first or largest measure of to captivity in that of their enemies. ( Marg . punishment; and that wealth, which is obtain-land Marg . Ref . n-p.- Notes , Is . 14:3-6, ν . 4
6 * Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.
7 O thou that arty named the house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? a do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
8 Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe || with the garment from them that pass by securely, as men averse from war.
9 The women of my people have ye • cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away & my glory for ever.
10 Arise ye, hand * Or, Prophesy not as they prophesy. Heb. Drop , & c . Ez. 20:46. 21:2.
t Is. 30:10. Jer. 26:8,9,20-23.
Am. 2:12. 7:13-16. Acts 4: 17-19. 5:28,29,40-42. 7:51, 52. 1 Thes. 2:15,16.
uPs. 74:9. Ez. 3:26. Am. 8: 11-13.
Jer. 6:14,15, 8:11,12.
Jer. 2:
y 3:9. Is. 48:1,2. 58:1. 4. Matt. 3:8-10. John 8:39, 40. Rom. 2:28,29. 9:6-13.2 Tim. 3:5.
z Num. 11:23. Is. 50:2. 59:1,2. Zech. 4:6. 2 Cor. 6:12.
† Or, shortened.
a Ps. 19:7-11. 119:70,71,92,93, 99-103. Jer. 15:16. Rom, 7:13. b Ps. 15:2. 84:11. Prov. 2:7. 10:9,29. 14:2. 28:18.
depart; for this is Heb. upright. す Heb. yesterday.
c 2 Chr. 28:58. Is. 9:21.
|| Heb. over against a gar
ment.
d 2 Sam. 20:19. 2 Chr. 28.8. Ps. 55:20,21. 120:6,7. Prov. 3:29,30.
Or, wives.
e 2. Matt. 23:14. Mark 12:40. Luke 20:47.
f1 Sam. 26:19. Joel 3:6.
g Ps. 72:19. Ez. 39:21. Hab. 2:14. Zech. 2:5. 2 Cor. 3:18. 4:6.
h Deut. 4:26. 30:18. Josh. 23: 15,16. 1 Kings 9:7. 2 Kings 15:29. 17:6. 2 Chr. 7:20. 36: 20,21.
i Deut. 12:9. Ps. 95:11. Heb. 4:1-9.
Jer . 9:10,11,17-22. 14:17,18. Am . 5:1-3, v. 1, 16,17.) He would wonderfully remove their inheritance from them, and, turning away in anger, he would divide their fields to others. Nor should there be any persons appointed, to assign them by lot a portion of land among the congregation of the Lord, as had been the case in the days of Joshua, and in the years of jubilee: for they would be totally disinherited and excluded from their peculiar privileges. (Marg. Ref . q-s.- Notes , 8-10, v. 10. Deut . 32:8. Josh . 18:3-10.2 Kings 17.5,6,18-24.)
V. 6, 7. The rulers and people endeavored to silence the true prophets, that they might
not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you , even with a sore de
struction.
11 If m a man ** walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying , " I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee: I will surely gather the remnant of Israel, I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up and have passed through the gate, and are gone out
k Lev. 18:24-28. 20:22-26. Ps. 106:38. Jer. 2:2.
1 Jer. 9:19. 10:18. Ez. 36:12
14.
m 1 Kings 13:18. 22:21-23.2 Chr. 18:19-22. Is. 9:15. Jer. 14:14. 23:14,25,32. 27:14,15. 28:2,3,15. 29:21-23. Ez. 13: 3-14,22. 22:28. 2 Cor. 11:13 -15. 2 Thes. 2:8-10. 2 Pet. 2:1-3. 1 John 4:1. Rev. 16: 13,14.
** Or, walk with the wind and lie falsely.
n 3:5,11. 1 Kings 22:6, Jer. 6: 13,14. 3:10,11. 23:17. Rom. 16:18. Phil. 3:19. 2 Pet. 2:13 -19.
o Is. 30:10,11. Jer. 5:31. 2 Thes. 2:11.
p 4:6,7. Is. 11:11,&c. 27:12,13. Jer. 3:18. 31:8. Ez. 37:21,22. Hos. 1:11.
q 7:14. Jer. 23:3. 31:10. Ez. 34:11,12,22,31.
r Gen. 36:33. Is. 24:6. Am. 1: 12.
s Jer. 31:7-9. Ez. 36:37. Zech. 8:22,23. 9:14,15. 10:6-3.
t Is. 42:7,13-16. 45:1,2. 49:9, 24,25. 51:9,10. 55:4. 59:1619. Jer. 51:20-24. Dan. 2:34, 35,44. Hos. 13:14. Zech. 12: 8. 1 Cor. 15:21-26. Heb. 2: 14,15.
u Zech. 10:5-7,12. 12:3-8.
Ref . y-b.- Notes , Ps . 19:7-11. Is . 59:1,2. 2 Cor . 6:11,13. 2 Pet . 1:20,21, v . 21.)
V. 8-10. The people, who were called the worshippers of JEHOVAH, bad of late, more than ever before, risen against him and his servants as enemies: they had robbed and plundered the inoffensive and the helpless, even stripping them of their garments: they had forcibly dispossessed the women of the habitations in which they delighted; and had sold their children for slaves, depriving them finally of their liberty, country, religion, and all the privileges which God had bestowed on Israel as their "glory." ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .
no more hear their offensive and alarming pre-c-g.- Notes , 1-3. Ps . 4:2. Luke 2:25-32, υ.
dictions: and therefore the Lord would deprive them of that invaluable advantage, and let none prophesy to them, to put them to shame or bring them to repentance. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . t-x.- Notes , Is . 30:8-11. Am . 7:12-17.) 'The latter part of the sentence may 'be rendered, "Their shame shall not depart," 'or be removed from them; that is, God hath 'determined to bring that shame upon them 'which their sins deserve.' Lowth .
But did it behove those, who were called by the name of Jacob, to act as if the Spirit of God might be limited in his operations, and constrained to inspire such things as pleased them, and such alone? Were these the doings of Jacob their pious ancestor? Were these such actions as God would approve? Or were the severe messages of the prophets the Lord's doings, when the sins of the people alone had rendered them necessary? Would they not be acceptable and useful to them, if they uprightly desired to know and do the will of God?
And did not all his words, whether they alarmed, humbled, instructed, reproved, or encouraged encouraged the people, conduce to the real benefit of all who were upright in heart? ( Marg . and Marg .
32.) The Lord in anger therefore commanded them to arise, and go forth out of the land into captivity. It should no longer be their rest and quiet habitation, seeing it was polluted by their idolatry and iniquity: but it should rather be to them a place of execution, where they would be destroyed in a most tremendous manner. ( Marg . Ref . h--1.-- Notes , Lev . 18:24 --30. Deut . 4:25--28. 30:15--20. Ps . 106:3545. Heb . 4:3--11.)--Many suppose that the ravages committed by Pekah, when Israel made tremendous destruction in Judah, is referred to, as one cause of Israel's ruin. ( Note , 2 Chr . 28:5--8.)
V. 11. A man, habitually influenced by the spirit of lies, who, for the sake of wine and sensual l indulgence, would encourage the people to hope to hope for impu of every thing requisite for the gratification of impunity in sin, and abundance pe for impunity their passions; would be more welcome to them, and more congenial to their sentiments and conduct, than the holy servants of God were: and therefore they would, as a just judgment, be left to be deceived by such prophets. ( Marg . and Marg . Marg. Ref . Notes , Jer . 6:13-15. 8: 10-12. Rom . 16:17-20.)
V. 12, 13. Many expositors interpret these verses, according to the context, as a prediction of the captivity of Israel and Judah. After great numbers had perished, the remnant of them would be assembled, as a flock of sheep in Bozrah into the midst of the fold, to be thence taken out for slaughter; and the multitude of them, or that of their enemies, being large, would make a great noise and tumult.
The Assyrian , or Chaldean , commander would march before the army, to break his way into the city: and after the walls had been destroyed, the gates would be opened, by which they would go forth with their spoil and prisoners, with the king of the victorious army before them; and "the LORD himself at the head of them," prospering their undertakings, and using them as his executioners: and indeed this seems the most obvious interpretation.-Yet very respectable expositors understand the passage as a prophecy of the conversion of the Jews and Israelites to Christ.The Lord would, not only bring back the remnant of the nation from Babylon, multiply them as a flock of sheep, and turn their mourning into joyful acclamations; but he would in due time bring them into the Christian church as the sheep of his pasture.
The Lord Jesus, in the character of "The Breaker," would open their way through all obstacles, into a state of communion with God, and happiness in his favor: he would break through all hindrances, by his miraculous incarnation, his obedience and sufferings, resurrection, ascension and intercession; by "leading captivity captive," and opening the gates of heaven to all believers: and by the work of his Spirit in their hearts, breaking off the fetters of sin and Satan.
Thus he has gone before, and his people follow, "breaking," in his strength, through the hosts of their enemies, that obstruct their way to heaven. Their King has passed before them, and the Lord is at their head, and he leads them forward to share his victories and triumphs, till they enter the same everlasting mansions, and death the last enemy be destroyed. The conversion and restoration of the Jews, according to this interpretation, are especially foretold. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 4:6,7.7: 14-17. Is . 11:11—16. 27:12,13. 49-9—13. 52:11, 12. Jer . 23:5,6. 31:6-9. Ez . 37:20-23. Hos . 1: 11.
Zech. 9:11-16. 12:6-8. Heb . 2:10-15. Rev. 19:11-16.)- Bozrah . (12) Marg . Ref . r.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
The more deliberately wickedness is contrived and committed, the greater guilt is contracted: and men must give an account of all that passes in their hearts, on their beds, and in their most secret retirements. Yet many think every thing allowable that is practicable, and which for the present may be done with impunity; regardless of the woe God has deagainst suc successful plunderers and
ND I said, & Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment?
2 Who hate the good, dand love the
a 9,10. Is. 1:10. Jer. 13:15-18. 22:2,3. Hos. 5:1. Am. 4:1
b Deut. 1:13-17. 16:18. 2 Chr. 19:5-10. Ps. 14:4. 82:1-5. Jer. 5:4,5. 1 Cor. 6:5.
CI Kings 21:20. 22:6-8. Am.
5:10-14. Luke 19:14. Joha 7:7. 15:18,19,23,24. Acts 7:51, 52. Rom. 12:9. 2 Tim. 3.3. d 2 Chr. 19:2. Ps. 15:4. 139:21, 22. Prov. 28:4. John 18:40. Rom. 1:32.
whatever they will. What need, therefore, have they constantly to pray, that God would incline their hearts to do that, and that only, which is pleasing in his sight; and for the best interests of their subjects! And how earnestly should we all pray, that God would thus rule, direct, and incline the hearts of kings, and all that are in authority over their fellow men in every part of the world, especially in our own land! The unwearied diligence of wicked men, in their sinful pursuits, should shame us out of our indolence in the service of God.
When covetousness occupies the heart, violence and fraud commonly employ the hands: and while men thus oppress whole families, and rob even the remote posterity of their heritage, to enrich themselves; they forget, that the almighty God "devises evil against them," from which they will find no possible way of escape; and that an evil time is coming, when they shall no more behave themselves with haughtiness and insolence.
Then their joyful congratulations will be turned into doleful lamentations, that they are utterly spoiled, driven from their earthly portion, and excluded for ever from all share in the inheritance of "the congregation of the LORD." No wonder men of this character hate the faithful messengers of God, who would put them to shame for their sins: they have only the name of Christians, or they would not think to modify the language of the Holy Spirit by human authority, to silence those whom God commands to speak, or to teach his ministers to accommodate their doctrine to gratify their passions, or political measures.
These are not the doings of true Israelites, who are "without guile," and who love and profit by all the words of God. Such nominal Christians are in fact the worst enemies of God and his church, and often join persecution of his people with oppression of the widow and the orphan: and their polluted privileges will soon be taken from them and turn to their destruction.Teachers, who recommend self-indulgence by their doctrine and example, best suit them, and they will generally be given up to such deceivers.
But Christ's sheep "hear his voice, and follow him:" he gathers them into his fold and feeds them in his pasture; and an innumerable multitude are already collected, who are before the throne, joyfully ascribing salvation to God and to the Lamb that was slain. As he has rent the veil, and opened our way to the throne of grace; as he has burst the grave and opened the gates of heaven, and entered as our Forerunner; let us depend on him and follow him, and so break through the maxims and customs of the world, the opposition of sin and Satan, and all the difficulties in our way to glory.
And when we are called to arise, and depart out of this polluted world to our rest in heaven, heaven, we need fear no evil in passing through death and the grave; for he will be with us, and bring us both in soul and
oppressors. Indeed princes and rulers often body to his holy habitation. ( Notes , Ps . 23:4have it "in the power of their hand" to do || 6. John 10:26-31. Rev. 7:13-17.)
evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
3 Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron. 4 & Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, k as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, m that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him:
6 Therefore night shall be unto you, * that ye shall not have a vision: and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall
e Ps. 53:4. Is. 3:15. Ez. 22:27. 34:3. Am. 8:4-6. Zeph. 3:
3. Zech. 11:4,5.
f Ez. 11:6,7.
g 2:3,4. Jer. 5:31. hPs. 18:41. Prov. 1:28. 28:9.
Is. 1:15. Jer. 2:27,28. Ez. 8: 18. Zech. 7:13. Matt. 7:22, 23. Luke 13:25,26. John 9: 31. Jam. 2:13.
i Deut. 31:17,18. 32:19,20. Is. 59:1-15. Jer. 33:5.
k Is. 3:11. Rom. 2:8,9.
1 11. Is. 9:15,16. Jer. 14:14,15. 23:9-17,27,32. 28:15-17. 29:
21-23. Ez. 13:10-16. 22:25 -29. Mal. 2:8. Matt. 15:14. m 2:11. Is. 56:9-12. Ez. 13: 19. Matt. 7:15. Rom. 16:18. n Ps. 74:9. Is. 8:20-22. Jer. 1316. Ez. 13:22,23. Zech. 13: 2-4.
* Heb. from a vision. Heb. from divining. o Is. 29:10. 59:10. Jer. 15:9. Am. 8:9,10.
p Ex. 8:18,19. 9:11. 1 Sam. 9:9. Is. 44:25. 47:12-14. Dan. 2: 9-11. Zech. 13:4. 2 Tim. 3:8,9.
NOTES.