CHAP. XII.
Jerusalem shall be made a cup of trembling, and a burdensome stone, to all ber enemies, 1-5. The Jews shall be marvellously strengthened, sarctified, and prospered, 6-8. "In that day," the pouring out of the Spirit of grace shall cause them to look, with deep repentance, on him whom they had pierced, 914.
THE THE a burden of the word of the LORD b for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and "formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, + when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. will I make Jerusa
3 And in that day
a 9:1. Lam. 2:14. Mal. 1:1. b Is. 51:22,23. Jer. SO:10,11,16. 17. 50:34. Ez. 36:5-7. Joel 3:19-21. Ob. 16,17.
Job 26:7. Ps. 102:25,26. 104: 2. 136:5,6. Is. 40:12,22. 42:5. 44:24. 45:12,18. 48:13. 51:13. Jer. 10:12. 51:15. Heb. 1:10 -12.
d Gen. 2:7. Num. 16:22. Ec. 12:7. Is. 57:16. Jer. 38:16. Ez. 18:4. Heb. 12:9.
Ps. 75:8. Is. 51:17,22. Jer. 25:15,17. 49:12. 51:7. Hab. 2:
16. Rev. 14:10. 16:19. 18:6, 20,24.
Or, slumber. Jer. 51:57. or, poison. Jer. 8:14. marg.
Or, and also against Judah shall be be, which shall be in siege against Jerusalem. 14:
14.
f 9. 2:8,9. 10:3-5. 14:2,3. Is. 60:12. 66:14-16. Ez. 38: 39: Joel 3:8-16. Ob. 18. Mic. 5:8,15. 7:15-17. Hab. 2:17. Zeph. 3:19. Hag. 2:22.
and keep out of the reach of human laws: and many cloke their oppression and avarice with hypocrisy, and bless God that they are rich; when their conduct proves them destitute both of piety and humanity. But the Lord leaves nations to rulers and teachers of this base character for their sins: and it is common for even the oppressed to copy the crimes of their oppressors, till they are given up together into the hands of their neighbors and enemies; who smite and destroy them, and there is none to pity or deliver them. Yet the good Shepherd still has and will have a flock: and he often feeds the poor in mercy, and they learn to wait on him; whilst the rich and powerful are ripening for vengeance. But he does not withdraw from favored nations those privileges, which
5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like a hearth of fire among the
g Dan. 2:34,35,44,45. Matt. 21: 44. Luke 20:18.
h 14:2,3. Mic. 4:11-13. Rev. 16:14. 17:12-14. 19:19-21. 20:8,9.
i 3,6,8,9,11. Is. 24:21. k 10:5. 14:15. Deut. 28:28. 2 Kings 6:14,18. Ps. 76:5-7. Ez. 38:4. 99:20.
1 9:8. 1 Kings 8:29. 2 Chr. 6:20,40. 7:15. Neh. 1:6. Is. 37:17. Jer. 24:6. Dan. 9:18.
Acts 17:30.
m6. Judg. 5.9. Is. 1:10,23,26, 29 10. 32:1. 60:17. Jer. 30:21. 33:26. Ez. 45:8,9.
Or, There is strength to me, and to the inhabitants, &c. 10: 6,12. Ps. 18:32,39. 20:6,7. 46: 1. 68:34,35. 118:10-14. 144 1. Is. 28:6. 41:10-16. Joel 3 16. 2 Cor. 12:9,10.
n Is. 10:16,17. Ob. 18. Rev. 20:9.
incurred, who cried out, "Not this man, but Barabbas." He may therefore continually say unto us, "A goodly price, that I am valued at by you!" and no wonder he disdains men's persons and services, and pours contempt on their treasures, when they prefer every worthless object to his immeasurable love. Thus nations and churches provoke him to withdraw his presence and to leave them in darkness; and to give them up to "bite and devour each other, till they are consumed one of another:" and if professed Christians were more generally agreed in their supreme valuation of Christ, they would not in general contend much about other matters. But when men reject his authority and salvation, they are often, in awful judgment, delivered over to follow "blind
pocrisy and enmity to him and his cause render it necessary for him to make them examples of his awful severity. When this takes place, the criminals become of all men the most infatuated, hardened, mischievous, and miserable: and when the ordinances and oracles of God are withdrawn from those who have long abused them, the very poor of the flock will remember, that "thus it was written, and thus
it must be."
V. 12-17.
shepherds," who are far more tremendous scourges, than war, famine, and pestilence all combined together. While such pageants and worthless idols deceive others to their ruin, they will themselves incur the deepest condemnation; and their usurped or abused authority, or pretended illumination, will end in deep contempt, and the darkness of misery and despair: for "if the blind lead the blind, they shall both fall into the ditch" together. ( Notes , 2 Pet . 2:17. Jude 11-13.)
NOTES.
Wilful contempt of Christ is the great cause of men's ruin, in those places which have the word of God sent to them. Alas! at how low a price do men value this precious Savior! What sums do multitudes lavish on those wholemn introduction to the following prophecy, minister to their pleasures, amusement, or dec-and shews the very great importance of it.
orations; and how they grudge the veriest trifle, where the edification of their own souls, or those of other men, is concerned! A trifling loss, to be submitted to for conscience' sake, seems a great matter: a few pieces of silver still seem to many more valuable than "the unsearchable riches of Christ!" And the contempt cast upon him, by putting such trifles in competition with him, or giving them the preference to his love and salvation, has in it a proportion of the same guilt, which the priests and rulers contracted, who bribed Judas to betray him for thirty shekels; which Judas contracted who thus sold his Lord; or which they
CHAP. XII. V. 1. This verse forms a sol
( Marg . Ref . Notes , Gen. 2:7. Num. 16:22. Is . 40:12-24, υυ. 12,22. 57:15,16. Heb . 1:10—12. 12:9-11, ν . 9.)
V. 2-5. Some expositors consider this as predicting the victories of the Maccabees over Antiochus; but that persecutor never besieged Jerusalem: 'and the language is much too 'strong to denote the successes of the Macca'bees. Bp . Newcombe. Others apply it to the success of the first preachers of the gospel in converting the nations, and to the judgments executed upon their opposers and persecutors. But, however it may be accommodated, some special events were doubtless intended by the
wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; || 9 And it shall come to pass in that
and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David, and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, do not magnify themselves against Judah.
8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the Angel of the LORD before them .
o 9:15. Ps. 149:6-9. Is. 41:15, 16. Dan. 2:34,35,44,45. Mic. 4:13. 5:58. Rev. 19:19,20, p Is. 9:20. 54:3, 2 Cor. 6:7. q 1:16. 2:4,12. 8:3-5. 14:10,11. Neh. 11: Jer. 30:18. 31:3840. Ez. 48:30-35.
г 4:6. 11:11. Is. 2:11-17, 23:9. Jer. 9:23,24. Matt. 11:25,26. Luke 1:51-53. 10:21. John 7:47-49. Rom. 3:27. 1 Cor. 1:26-31. 2 Cor. 4:7-12. Jam. 2-5. 4:6.
s Job 19:5. Ps. 35:26.38:16. 55: 12.
t 2:5. 9:8,15,16. Joel 3:16,17.
u Is. 30:26. Jer. 30:19-22. Ez. 34:23,24. Mic. 5:8. 7:16. Heb. 11:34.
day, that I will seek to destroy all the na tions that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son , and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megid
don.
* Or, abject. Heb. fallen. Is. David apart,
49:7.53:3. Jer. 27:10.
x Ps. 2:6,7. 45:6,7. 110:1,2. Is. 7:13,14. 9:6,7. Jer. 23:5,6. 33: 15,16. Ez. 37:24-26. Hos. 1: 7. 3:5. Mic. 5:2-4. Matt. 1: 23. Rom. 1:3,4. 9:5. 1 Tim. 3:16. Rev. 22:13,16.
y 3:1,2. Gen. 22:15-17.48:15, 16. Ex. 23:20,21. Josh. 5:13, 14. 2 Sam. 14:17-20. Is. 63: 9. Hos. 12:3-5. Mal. 3:1. Acts 7:30-35.
Holy Spirit; and it is probable that the grand accomplishment of it is yet to be expected. It was foretold, that God should make Jerusalem "a cup of trembling," or a stupifying poisonous draught, to all the people round about, when they would be engaged in besieging that capital and the other cities of Judah. That is, divine judgments would immediately overtake them, as the evident effect of their attempts. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . e.- Notes , Ps. 75:8. Is . 51:17-23, υυ . 17,22,23. Jer . 25:15–17. Hab . 2: 15-17. Rev. 14:9-11. 16:17-21, v . 19. 18:48.) Yea, he would make Jerusalem "a burdensome stone to all, that should burden themselves with it." This alluded to large stones, or weights, that men used to try their strength by lifting, which sometimes proving too heavy for them, bruised, or even killed
them: thus all, who attempted to injure Jeru-time predicted, "the LORD will save the tents
salem, would destroy themselves; even though all the people (or peoples ) of the earth should gather themselves against it. ( Marg . Ref . f, g. -Notes, Ez. 38: 39: Dan . 2:34,35,44,45. Joel 3: 9-17. Mic . 4:11-13. Matt . 21:40-44. Rev. 19:11-21.) For the Lord would smite their horses with terror and blindness, as well as the riders with madness, out of his attentive and watchful care over Judah: so that the rulers of Judah would cordially expect help from "the LORD of hosts, their God," by means of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, without seeking out for any foreign succors.
Or, "There is strength to me, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the LORD of hosts, their God." ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . i-m.- Notes , 6-8. 9:8,13-16. 14: 1-3,12-15. Gen. 19:11. 2 Kings 6:13-18.2 Chr . 32:5-8. Hos . 14:1-3.)-'The former part 'of this chapter... relates to an invasion made 'upon the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem, 'in the latter times of the world, probably after 'their return to, and settlement in their own 'land.... The horses and their riders shall be 'put into such confusion, as to run foul of one another. (2 Kings 6:18.) ...
The marginal read'ing (5) is to be preferred: "There is strength
'to me, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, in 'the LORD of hosts our God." God doth visi'bly interpose for our deliverance, and thereby 'encourage us to rely on his protection.' Lowth . V.6-8. These verses further confirm the supposition, that the grand accomplishment of the prophecy is yet future; and that it relates to the times, when Israel shall be converted and restored to their own land.
Then their governors will be "like fire upon a hearth," that kindles the wood laid on it; or like a torch put to a sheaf or faggot: as they will consume all those who oppose their re-establishment in their own land; and Jerusalem will be rebuilt in its ancient situation, to be their habitation, or capital city. ( Marg . Ref . n-q.- Notes , 9:13 -16. 14:10,11. Ps . 149:7-9. Jer. 30:12-18. Ez . 48:30-35.
Mic . 4:11—13, v . 7-9.)-At the of Judah first." ." The conversion of the nation will begin among the more obscure Jews, and not among their principal persons, who occupy the rank of the house of David, &c. that these may not glory over their inferiors, as if the change had been effected by their power, valor, sagacity, or influence, or assume any improper ascendency over them: or, those from whom less is expected, will be first honored as instruments of their deliverance and victories.
At the same time, even the feeblest will resem. ble David in courage, faith, and grace, and be as eminent in every thing good, as that man after God's own heart had been: while "the house of David," or their most eminent characters, will be "as God, even as the Angel of the LORD," (of whom the prophet had so often spoken,) even as Christ, to go before them, and set them an example. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . r--y.-Notes, 2:6-9. 3:1-4. 4:4-7, v. 6. Gen. 48:15,16. Is . 7:13,14. 9:6,7. 11:1-5. 63:9. Jer . 23:5,6. Mic . 5:2-6.
Luke 1:26-33. 1 Cor. 1:26-31.2 Cor . 4:7.) -This accords to the idea, which we are taught to form of the immense abundance of spiritual gifts and grace, to be conferred on the people of God, at the
family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
13 The family of the house of Levi k 2 Sam. 5:14. 7:2-4. 12:1. 11 1 Ex. 6:16-26. Num. 3: 4: Mal.
Luke 3:31.
time when this prophecy shall have its most signal accomplishment.
apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shinei apart, and their wives apart;
14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
m 2 Sam. 155. 1 Kings 1:8. 1 Chr. 3:19. 4:27, 23:7,10. 2 Chr. 29:14. the most eminent prophet in David's reign that of Levi, or the priests and ministers of re
V.9-14. God's signal interposition in be-ligion; and that of Shimei, who perhaps was
'half of Judah and Jerusalem, after their future 'restoration, having been foretold, the prophet 'proceeds to foretel their conversion to Chris'tianity.' Bp . Newcombe . ( Marg . Ref . z.- Notes , 2-5.
Ez . 38: 39: Dan. 11:40-45.)-At the time, when the Lord was about to destroy the enemies of the Jews, he intended to prepare them for that favor by "pouring upon the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem," that is, both upon the rulers and common people, "the Spirit of grace and of supplications." The Holy Spirit is infinitely gracious and merciful; he is most freely bestowed upon sinners; and he is the Author of all grace, or holiness.
He is also "the Spirit of supplications;" he shews men their ignorance, indigence, guilt, pollution, misery, and danger; he leads them to understand and believe the truths and promises of scripture; and he excites hope and spiritual desires, and thus inwardly constrains them to pour out their hearts in earnest prayer. ( Marg . Ref.a -c.- . Notes , Ps . 143: 10. Is . 32:15. Acts 2:14-21. Rom . 8:24-27. Eph . 6:18-20.
Tit . 2:4-7.) Miraculous or prophetical gifts are not mentioned in this prediction, but only spiritual grace. ( Note , Joel 2:28-32, υυ . 28,29.) Then, says the Speaker, (JEHOVAH, who alone can give the Holy Spirit, Note , John 16:7.) "they shall look on Me , whom they have pierced." ( John 19:37.) The ancestors of that generation of Jews caused Christ to be nailed to the cross, and pierced by the soldier's spear; for they employed the Romans to execute the sentence which they had denounced, exclaiming "His blood be on us, and on our children!" And their posterity have ever since been consenting to this deed by their impenitent unbelief, and the language with which they have always spoken of him. ( Note , Matt . 27:24,25.) But at the predicted
some noted scribe, might be mentioned, as representing the different orders of men among them.--A partial fulfilment of this took place, at and after the day of Pentecost, in the conversion of numbers of the Jews who had just before crucified Christ; ( Notes , Acts 2:37-41.) and it is descriptive of the conversion of sinners in every age. Yet there can be no reasonable doubt, that it is an intended prediction of the conversion of Israel, when they shall as one body embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.Some suppose Nathan the son of David to be meant; (12) but then the royal house is twice mentioned, and the prophets are unnoticed, which in the Old Testament are generally considered as a distinct order. (Marg. Ref. g -l.-Notes, Ex . 19:10--15. Joel 2:15--17.1 Cor . 7:1-5, v. 5.)
First-born. (10) What a reflection is this simile suited to excite in our minds, of the bit terness experienced in Egypt, on the sudden death of the first-born throughout the land! ( Note , Ex . 12:29,30.) And of the intenseness, in some instances, of that "godly sorrow, which worketh repentance unto salvation."--'In the 'margin of the English Bible we have, Or, of Simeon. Our translators therefore thought, 'that the Hebrew text might sometimes be 'corrected by the Greek version.' Bp . New combe . This reading , however, has been added since the time when the present translation was made; and is not found in the old copies with marginal readings; in which marginal readings I have not met with one deviation from the letters of the Hebrew text.-- Shimei . (13) Marg . Ref . m.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The word ofthe LORD, "who stretcheth forth the heavens and layeth the foundation of the him," will be a heavy burden on those against whom it is sent: but it is " for Israel," and speaks peace to all true believers. - Many have
period, they will know who this crucified Je-earth, and formeth the spirit of man within
sus was; and then they shall by faith "look to him and mourn" over him, as pierced and slain by them . This reflection will melt their hearts
into extreme sorrow and compunction; they been the attempts of wicked men to extirpate
will repent of that national sin, and of all their personal transgressions, as men are used bitterly to lament the death of an only or a firstborn son: for they will perceive that they had wickedly slain the Hope and Glory of their nation. ( Marg . Ref . d, e.- Notes , Ps . 22:1618. Is . 45:20-22. Luke 2:28--32, v. 32. John
the people of God; but they have only ruined themselves: for the church has always proved "a cup of trembling" to all her assailants, and "a burdensome stone, to those who have burdened themselves with her;" and all will assuredly be crushed or cut in pieces, who injure her, even if all the power, valor, policy, learn
1:29. Acts 3:12--16. 5:29-31. Heb . 12:2,3.) || ing, wealth, and multitude of the whole earth
This will be a general mourning of the whole people, like that which was occasioned by the death of Josiah, who was slain in the valley of Megiddon. ( Notes , 2 Kings 23:29,30. 2 Chr. 35:25--27.) 'It may be the field, where 'the battle was fought, might be called Hadad'rimmon.' Lowth. All the people shall mourn with godly sorrow, which will not only be expressed in public, but in their families and in private; and even husbands and wives will separately, in retirement, express their godly sorrow, and humble themselves before God for all their sins. And as their rulers, priests, scribes, and people, had concurred in the crucifixion of Christ; so all orders of men will concur in this humble and believing repentance. The family of David the king, that of Nathan
should combine against her. So long as the rulers and teachers of the church expect their help and "strength from the LORD of hosts their God," and use no means or instruments except such as are consecrated; his watchful eyes will ever be open to take care of them, and his arm stretched forth to protect thein and to strike their persecutors with astonish ment, blindness, or madness. But it is fa. more desirable, when the examples, labors, and conversation of ministers and Christians, render them as "an hearth of fire among the wood, or like a torch in a sheaf;" sheaf;" to kindle the flame of divine love and holy affection from heart to heart, and to diffuse the influence of piety conversion of sinners, as well as in redemp- piety to the right hand and to the left. In the
tion, the Lord will "exclude boasting," and take care that "no flesh shall glory in his pres- ence:" therefore not many mighty, noble, wealthy, or learned, are called; and he often begins among the poor and despised in fami- lies, towns, cities, and nations; and then uses them as his instruments, in the salvation of a remnant of the rich, the wise, and the honor- able; that these may not have any ground of self-preference or contempt of others, or any pretence for assuming authority over them.- The best of men have hitherto been so very far from perfection, that it is possible for a company of believers to be called forth, the weakest of whom shall exceed the most illus- trious of those who have yet been known on earth: and we are led to conclude, that this will actually be the case, in that purer state of the church which is predicted.
Then the fee- blest Christian will equal David in strength of faith, and vigor of affections, and holy courage: yet there will be rulers, teachers, and examples of such superior attainments, as to be fully qualified to go before the people in every duty and every grace. These will be "followers of God as dear children," and bear the image and possess the mind of Christ, to a degree of which in these lukewarm days we have scarcely any conception.-Before we can ex- carcely any conception on pect the peculiar protection and consolation of the Lord; we must be deeply humbled for our sins.
The beginning, progress, and perfection of our sanctification come from "the pouring out of the Spirit of grace and supplications:" wherever that is granted, fervent prayer and deep humiliation will be the never-failing ef- fects; the eyes of the mind will soon be direct- ed in faith to him, who was pierced for our sins: and while we condemn the conduct of him who betrayed, and of those who "cruci- fied the Lord of glory," we shall not exculpate ourselves.
We shall remember, that in fact our sins were the cause of the Redeemer's cru- cifixion; our unbelief has been a continuation of the crime of his crucifiers; our ingratitude and dishonorable conduct have often verged towards the guilt of "crucifying him afresh." We may therefore all "look to him, whom we have pierced," and upon our sins, as the thorns, the nails, and the spear. This will increase the poignancy of our sorrow and remorse; while we hope for mercy through that blood which we helped to shed.
When our sins are viewed in this glass, we see more cause to mourn for them, than for the loss of any earth- ly object; and we become inconsolable, save by the consolations of the blessed gospel. Such godly sorrow will not be ostentatious, but will court privacy, and pour out itself in secret; and
he pouring
the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and f the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: "and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through, when he prophesieth.
4 And it shall come to pass in that day,
e 1 Kings 22:22. Jer. 8:10-12. 23:14,15. 29:23. Ez. 13:12- 16,23. 14:9. Mic. 2:11. Matt. 7:15. 2 Cor. 11:13-15. 2 Pet. 2:1-3,15-19. 1 John 4:1,2. Rev. 19:20.
f Matt. 12:43. Rev. 16:13,14. 18:2. 20:1-3.
g Ex. 32:27,28. Deut. 13:611. 18.20. 33:9. Matt. 10:37. Luke 14:26. 2 Cor. 5:16.
it will cause us to disrelish the ordinary comforts and pleasures of lite. It is also equally needful to all orders of men in society; "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." When we are thus humbled, and yet can rejoice in the grace of the gospel; let us pray for the out-pouring of the Spirit on the benighted heathens, that with one consent they may look unto Jesus, mourn for sin, become his disciples, and partake of his grace and salvation; and especially on Israel, in all his dispersions, whose conversion and restoration shall be "as life from the dead," to all the nations upon earth. ( Note , Rom . 11:11-15.)
NOTES.