_The burden of Egypt_ THE PROPHECIES CONCERNING EGYPT The kingdom to which all the three prophecies (chaps. 18, 19, 20) refer is the same, namely, the Egypto-Ethiopian kingdom; but it is so dealt with that chap. 18 refers to the ruling people, chap. 19 to the ruled people, and chap. 20 embraces t... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians_ DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN CIVIL STRIFE This method of administration, we say, obtains and prevails in all ages. This is the meaning of many a controversy, of many a quarrel, of many a dissension, in cabinets, in families, in nations. Men are surprise... [ Continue Reading ]
_How say ye. .. I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?_ ON THE PRIDE OF BIRTH The charge which the prophet makes upon the Egyptian nobles may, with some justice, be extended to those in modern times who are perpetually reminding the world, directly or indirectly, of the dignity of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The language of Canaan_ CONVERTING GRACE Converting grace by changing the heart, changeth the language; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (_M. Henry._) THE LANGUAGE OF CANAAN 1. To speak the language of Canaan is to discourse on sacred subjects in a manner peculiar to tho... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall send them a Saviour and a great one_ A SAVIOUR AND A GREAT ONE The literal coincidences between the promise of a “saviour” and a “great one,” and the titles of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy the Saviour are noticeable and interesting. (_Sir E. Strachey, Bart._) ALEXANDER THE GREAT Ale... [ Continue Reading ]
_In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria_ ISRAEL, EGYPT, AND ASSYRIA Israel is no longer alone God’s people, God’s creation, God’s inheritance, but Egypt and Assyria are each a third sharer with Israel. In order to express this, Israel’s three names of honour are mixed t... [ Continue Reading ]