CHAP. XIII. V. 1. In the day, mentioned at the close of the foregoing chapter, ( Note , 12: 9-14.) a fountain would be opened to the rulers and people of the Jews, in which to wash away their sins. This must mean the atoning blood of Christ, connected with his sanctifying sanc grace.
It It began to flow, when from "his piereed side came forth blood and water:" ( Notes , John 19:31-37, υυ . 34,37. 1 John 5:6.) This is not like the laver, or sea of brass, in the court of the temple, which continually had need to be replenished: for it is a fountain supplied from his infinite fulness, and the infinite sufficiency of his atonement, and never diminishing, how much soever it is used.
This fountain has indeed been hitherto closed , with respect to the unbe unbelieving nation of Israel: but when "the Spirit of grace" shall humble and soften their hearts, he will also open it to their view, and lead them to wash away their guilt and pollution in it. ( Notes , 2 Cor . 3:12-16.)'He sheweth what shall be the fruit of their re'pentance, to wit, remission of sins by the blood of Christ, which shall be a continual running 'fountain, to purge them from all uncleanness.
When Christ was crucified, the blood and water, from his pierced side, were emblems of pardon through his atonement, and regeneration and sanctification by his Spirit. These blessings are outwardly represented in baptism and in the Lord's supper: but to explain this promise of either or both of them, considered as external ordinances, is palpably to mistake "the sign" for "the thing signified;" than which a more perilous and ruinous notion has scarcely ever been entertained, however it may be supported by eminent names and specious reasonings. ( Marg . Ref . b.- Notes , Ps . 51:17,10.
Ez . 36:25-27.1 Cor . 6:9-11. Tit . 2:4-7. 1 John 1:5-7. Rev. 1:4—6. 7:13-17, v . 14.) Uncleanness .] Marg . and Rej .- Note , Is . 64:6 -8. Ez . 36:17.
V. 2, 3. Idolatry had, before the captivity been the prevailing sin of the Jewish nation:
and their false prophets had been the instruments of unclean spirits, in seducing the people into that and other abominations. But they were never addicted to gross idolatry after the days of Zechariah. That thorough reformation, however, which will take place upon the conversion of Israel to Christianity, is predicted under these allusions.
Idolatry and superstition have been, and are, exceedingly prevasition many parts of the Christian church: and while this has formed one grand hindrance to the conversion of the Jews; it has also ensnared many of them, by inducing them to idolatrous compliances to escape persecution. ( Note , Deut . 28:64.) But about the time here predicted, all these antichristian abominations will be terminated; and converted Israel will watch very carefully against every appearance of such abuses.
The very names and memorials of all the idols will be abolished; and the false prophets, and the unclean spirit that inspired them, will be banished. ( Marg . Ref . d-f.Notes, Ex . 23:13. Deut . 12:2-4, v. 3. Josh. 23:7. Is . 65:11,12. Jer . 10:11. Mic . 5:10-15. Matt . 12: 43-45. Rev. 19:17-21, v. 20. 20:1-3.) And if any shall still presume to prophesy against the gospel of Christ, or to promote idolatry or superstition; even their parents will strenuously oppose them, and be the first to bring them forth to punishment, according to the law of Moses. ( Marg .
Ref . g.- Notes , Deut . 13:6-11. 18:20-22. Luke 14:25-27.2 Cor . 5:16.) - 'They 'shall treat such a one in the same manner, as 'their fathers did the true prophet, the Messias; 'shall pierce or thrust him through.' Lowth .
7 Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the Man that is my Fellow, saith the Lord of hosts; a smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: $ and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
n Deut. 32:41,42. Is. 27:1. Jer. q Is. 53:4-10. Dan. 9:24-26. 47:6. Ez. 21:4,5,9,10,28. John 1:29. 3:14-17. Acts 2: 23. 4:26-28. Rom. 3:24-26. 4:25. 5:6-10, 8:32. 2 Cor. 5:
11:4,7. Is. 40:11. Ez. 34-23,
24. 37:24, Mic. 5:2,4. John 10:10-18. Heb. 13:20. 1 Pet. 5 : 4.
p Is. 9:6. Jer. 23:5.6. Hos. 12:3
5. Matt. 1:23. 11:27. John 1:1,2. 5:17,18,23. 8:58. 10:30, 38. 14:1,9-11,23. 16:15. 17:21 -23. Phil. 2:6. Col. 1:1519. Heb. 1:6-12. Rev. 1:8, 11,17. 2:23. 21:6: 22:13-16.
21. Gal. 3:13. Col. 1:19,20. Heb. 10:5-10. 1 Pet. 1:1820. 2:24,25. 3:18. 1 John 2:2. 4:9,10. Rev. 13:8. r. Matt. 26:31,56. Mark 14:27, 50. John 16:32,
s11:7,11. Matt. 10:42. 18:10,11, 14. Luke 12:32, 17:2. John 18:8,9.
re,
and friars was here predicted; who will at length be ashamed of their distinguishing habits, and pretensions to superior sanctity and miraculous powers, and will gladly betake themselves to other employments. But perhaps it only applies to them, them, because they in many respects resemble the false prophets; who seem to have sat for the picture, the prophet drew of future deceivers.
Among those, who will disavow their being prophets, some will be found "with wounds in their hands;" which may refer to marks imprinted in their hands, as a badge of their being devoted to some idol; to the wounds, that men have often given themselves by voluntary austerities; or to some punishment which had been inflicted on them for their impostures. These they ascribe to other causes, as having been the effect of accident or correction, when at home with their friends: or, as a mark affixed to shew to what person or family they belonged. ( Marg .
Ref . k-m.- Notes , Rev. 13:13-17, υυ . 16,17. 14:9-11.)-As a most remarkable prophecy of Christ follows in the next verse, some expositors explain this also of him, and the wounds that he received in his hands when crucified. The Jews were professedly the friends of the promised Messiah, and he had acted in the most friendly manner to the nation: but they put him to death, by a blind and malevolent perversion of the law, which God by Moses had given against deceivers and false prophets.
V. 7. The prophet here enters on a new subject: he had been prophesying of more re
How far the nation of Israel may then, under mote futurity; but he returns to predict the a theocracy, be governed according to their ju- death of Christ, and shews what the conse dicial law, we cannot determine: but these ex-quence of that event would be to his people. pressions, taken from it, merely denote the "The sword" of divine justice had lain asleep, vigorous and decided measures, which will be as it were, during the long season of God's forused to suppress these abominations, accord- bearance: ( Note , Rom . 3:21-26, vv . 25,26.) but ing to the nature of the dispensation under he now commanded it to "awake," in order to which they shall live. The universal ruin of execute vengeance upon "his Shepherd,"
idolatry seems also predicted. That gross whom he had appointed to feed his flock: it 'idolatry, wherewith the world was infected, was commissioned to awake "against the 'shall now cease; and the very names of those Man," one in human nature, the Redeemer 'pagan idols shall now be forgotten.' Bp . Hall . now considered as incarnate: yet this was no 46.
The odium cast on false prophets ordinary man, much less an enemy, but "my at the predicted time, as well as the failure of Fellow," Companion, Equal, Compeer, "saith their predictions, will put them to shame; and the LORD of hosts;" even the Son of the Father, they will no longer wear rough garments, like "the Word that was with God, and was God." those of the true prophets, in order to deceive It was commissioned "to smite the Shepherd" the people. ( Marg . Ref .
Notes , 2 Kings 1:8. without sparing him; which may refer to the Matt. 3:4.) But they will disclaim the name, whole of Christ's sufferings, in which men and for fear of disgrace and punishment; declaring evil spirits were no more than the execution
that they had been brought up to other occu-ers of that wrath of God, which he_suffered
pations, about which they they meant to employ themselves: "for man hath taught me, &c." or, "man hath possessed me from my youth," that is, as his servant. Some have thought that the abolition of the several orders of the monks
for our sins: yet it seems especially to relate to his agonies in the garden, and his exclamation on the cross, when he endured unspeakable auguish from the immediate hand of the Father, who "was pleased to bruise him and to put himm
8 And it shall come to pass, that in all || through the fire, and will refine them as the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein silver is refined, and will try them as gold shall be cut off and die; " but the third shall is tried: 2 they shall call on my name, and be left therein. I will hear them: I will say, a It is my peo
9 And I will
t 11:6-9. Deut. 28:49-68. Is. 65:12-15.66:4-6,24. Ez. 5: 2-4,12. Dan. 9:27. Mal. 3: 1,2,5. 4:1-3. Matt. 3:10-12. 21:43,44. 22:7. 23.35-37.24: 21. Luke 19:41-44, 20:1618. 21:20-24. 23:28-30.1 Thes. 2:15,16. Rev. 8:7-12.
bring the third part ple; and they shall say, The LORD is my
16:19.
u 14:1,2. Is. 6:13. Jer. 30:11, Joel 2:31,32. Am. 9.8,9. Matt. 24:22. Mark 13:20. Rom. 9: 27-29. 11:1-5.
x Ps. 66:10-12. Is. 43:2. 1 Cor. 3:11-13. 1 Pet. 4:12.
to grief," till divine justice was fully satisfied. (Marg. Ref . n-r.- Notes , 11:4-14. Is . 9:6,7. 40:9-11.53:4-6,9,10. Dan . 9:24-27. Mic . 5:2 -4. John 1:1-3. Rom . 8:32-34. Heb . 13:20,21. 1 Pet . 5:1-4, v. 4. 1 John 4:9-12.) When the Shepherd should thus be smitten for the sins of the flock, "the sheep would be scattered," as the disciples were when Christ was apprehended; ( Matt . 26:31,56. Mark 14:27.) and then the Lord would "turn his hand upon the little ones," to take care of the helpless company, which would be exposed like little children to the rage of their persecutors, when their Lord was taken from them. ( Marg . Ref . s . - Notes , 11 : 7-11, υυ . 7,11. Matt . 10:40–42. 18:14. Luke
God.
white, and he is prepared to join the glorious company before the throne of God.-Pardon of sin is inseparably connected with genuine repentance; so that justifying faith is never separated from sanctifying grace. Thus men learn to love the truths, precepts, and ordinances of God, and to hate every false way. They forget or abhor their idols and iniquities; they become zealous against all impostures, by which false teachers and unclean spirits corrupt the minds of men; they "thenceforth know no man after the flesh;" Christ becomes more dear to them than sons or daughters; they will "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints;" nor will they connive
22:31-34. John 6:36-40. 16:31-33. 18:4-9.) | at their nearest relatives, who "speak lies in
-My fellow .[ עמיתי . The word rendered neigh bor , in general. ( Lev . 19:15,17. 25:14,15, &c. Heb.)
V. 8, 9. In consequence of the sin of the Jews, in rejecting and crucifying Christ, and in opposing his gospel, the Romans would be employed to go through and destroy the greatest part of them, all over the land. But a remnant, "a third part," would be preserved: and, after having passed through trials and afflictions, like a fiery furnace, till they were proved and refined; they would at length be converted, and be acknowledged as the people of God. ( Marg . Ref . t-y.- Notes , 11:4-9. 14:1-3. Is . 48:9-11.65:11-15. Jer . 30:10,11. Dan . 9:2527. Joel 2:28-32, vv. 31,32.
Mal . 3:1-4, vv . 2,3. 4:1-3. Matt . 24:21,22. Rom . 11:1-10. Heb . 10: 26-31.
Jam. 1:2-4. 1 Pet . 1:6,7. 4:12-16.) This may refer to the conversion of a remnant of the Jews, in the days of the apostles: but it seems also to predict, that the remnant of the nation, which should survive the almost extirpating destruction made of them by the Romans, after having been long preserved a distinct people, in the midst of extraordinary trials and oppressions, would at length, when "the Spirit of grace and supplications should be poured out upon them," call upon the Lord in humble faith and great fervency; and, being converted to Christianity, should be re-admitted to the privileges of his people, and taught to acknowledge him for the Lord their God, as he is revealed to sinners in Jesus Christ; and so he would own and bless them as his people. ( Marg .
Ref . z, a.- Notes , 8:7,8. 10:5-12. 12:9 -14, v. 10. Lev . 26:40-45. Deut . 4:29-31.30: 1-10. Is . 44:3-5. Jer. 30:22. 31:1,31-34. 32: 38-41. Ez . 34:23-31. Hos . 2:21-23. 3:4,5. Acts 2:14-21, v . 21. Rom . 11:25-32.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Blessed be God, he has prepared a fountain, for the most guilty and polluted; and his Gospel invites us all to wash in it and be clean. The proud and unbelieving, however, cannot discern its nature, use, or excellency. But when the heart is humbled and set against sin, the fountain is disclosed to view; and the believer daily washes in it, till his robes are made
the name of the LORD." Indeed the Christian dispensation does not require those severities, which God commanded by the judicial law of Moses: yet the prevalence of true religion will bring all delusions into neglect, expose them to censure: and it will make men ashamed and afraid to publish their false visions, or impostures, "by which they lie in wait to deceive." -Even external mortification and apparent deadness to the world, may be the cloke of ambition and hypocrisy; and "rough garments" may be used, as well as more pompous sacerdotal vestments, to awe men's minds into a blind deference to an antichristian deceiver.It is desirable that false teachers should be driven from that employment to some more useful occupation; but still more, that they should "repent, and do works mect for repent
ance." It ca can never be without benefit for us to recollect the "wounds in the hands" and feet
of the gracious Savior. Alas! how often has he been wounded in the house of his professed friends? Yea, by his real friends, his disciples, when, forgetful of their obligations, they have acted inconsistently with the honor of his gospel.
May we then ever remember the price, which it cost him "to open for us a fountain for sin and uncleanness:" may we not forget the dignity of our Shepherd, as the Compeer of the Lord of hosts; nor yet the depth of his humiliation and the intenseness of his sufferings, while smitten by the sword of divine justice, when it awoke against him, that he might be punished for our sins; nor the "love which passeth knowledge," which moved him thus to interpose in our behalf.
Thus, whilst we wash in the sacred fountain, we shall reflect with awe and gratitude on him, whose vital blood supplied the purifying stream; we shall learn to hate sin, and love, adore, and obey our Benefactor; to submit to corrections, and endure persecutions; expecting to be conformed to the Redeemer by suffering in this evil world, ai we hope to be in glory, when we arrive at tha better world above.
For while the many neglect this great salvation to their ruin, the remnant who are saved must pass "through much tribulation into the kingdom of God;" that, by these fiery trials, as well as by the purifying fountain, they may be refined like gold, and