Now gather thyself in troops, namely, in order to resist the enemy, O DAUGHTER OF TROOPS, Jerusalem herself being so designated as the type of the Church Militant; HE HATH LAID SIEGE AGAINST US, rather, impersonal, "siege is laid against us," by the enemies which never rest; THEY SHALL SMITE THE JUD... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PERSON AND THE RULE OF MESSIAH. Having described the conditions and circumstances under which the period of Messianic glory would be established, the prophet now turns to the direct prediction concerning the person and the work of the coming Redeemer.... [ Continue Reading ]
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, the little city of Judah south of Jerusalem being addressed with impressive solemnity, THOUGH THOU BE LITTLE AMONG THE THOUSANDS OF JUDAH, among the districts of the country containing a thousand families, the town being of little importance over against the mighty Jeru... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore, because Israel, the people of the Lord, is to be redeemed not by his own power, but by the gracious gift of the Messiah, WILL HE GIVE THEM UP, the Lord giving the covenant nation into the hands of the enemy, UNTIL THE TIME THAT SHE WHICH TRAVAILETH HATH BROUGHT FORTH, until the Messiah wo... [ Continue Reading ]
And He shall stand and feed, both ruling and nourishing, as the Governor and Shepherd of His people, IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD, He Himself being the mighty God, Isaiah 9:6, IN THE MAJESTY OF THE NAME OF THE LORD, HIS GOD, which was communicated to Him even in His state of humiliation; AND THEY SHA... [ Continue Reading ]
And this Man shall be the Peace, the name rightly applied to the Messiah by Paul in the wonderful passage describing the effect of His redemption for all mankind, Ephesians 2:14. Cf Isaiah 9:6. WHEN THE ASSYRIAN SHALL COME INTO OUR LAND, AND WHEN HE SHALL TREAD IN OUR PALACES, THEN SHALL WE RAISE AG... [ Continue Reading ]
And they shall waste the land of Assyria, representative of all the hosts which rise up against the Lord, WITH THE SWORD AND THE LAND OF NIMROD, who was the founder of the first great world monarchy, IN THE ENTRANCES THEREOF, or, "with his gates," the overthrow of the gates signifying the capture of... [ Continue Reading ]
And the remnant of Jacob, the spiritual Israel, SHALL BE IN THE MIDST OF MANY PEOPLE, literally, "in the midst of the abundance of the nations,". AS A DEW FROM THE LORD, with its refreshing power, AS THE SHOWERS UPON THE GRASS, with their life-giving strength, THAT TARRIETH NOT FOR MAN NOR WAITETH F... [ Continue Reading ]
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people, like a true city of the Lord, Psalms 46, AS A LION AMONG THE BEASTS OF THE FOREST, to whom they must yield without question, AS A YOUNG LION AMONG THE FLOCKS OF SHEEP, his superiority being evident in every way, WHO, I... [ Continue Reading ]
Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, or, "High be thine hand above thine oppressors,". AND ALL THINE ENEMIES SHALL BE CUT OFF. Cf Isaiah 9:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, at the time of Messiah's reign, THAT I WILL CUT OFF THY HORSES OUT OF THE MIDST OF THEE, ordinarily, the confidence of men, AND I WILL DESTROY THY CHARIOTS;... [ Continue Reading ]
and I will cut off the cities of thy land and throw down all thy strongholds, the fortresses and citadels which the pride of men erects;... [ Continue Reading ]
and I will cut off witchcrafts, divinations by means of rods, drinking-cups, and other means, OUT OF THINE HAND; AND THOU SHALT HAVE NO MORE SOOTHSAYERS, those who observed sky and clouds and made use of all kinds of sorcery and magic.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy graven images also will I cut off and thy standing images, those cast from metal, OUT OF THE MIDST OF THEE; AND THOU SHALT NO MORE WORSHIP THE WORK OF THINE HANDS.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will pluck up thy groves, those devoted to idolatrous purposes, OUT OF THE MIDST OF THEE; SO WILL I DESTROY THY CITIES, namely, as fortresses and centers of warlike activity. All this is descriptive of the power which the Messiah exerts upon the hearts of the believers in weaning their hearts... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard, rather, "who have not heard," who refuse to accept the rule of the Messiah. Concerning the progress of prophecy as evident from this Chapter it is well to remember the words of one commentator: "The promise... [ Continue Reading ]