A MAN WITH A MEASURING LINE IN HIS HAND - Probably the Angel of the Lord, of whom Ezekiel has a like vision. Jerome: “He who before, when he lift up his eyes, had seen in the four horns things mournful, now again lifts up his eves to see a man, of whom it is written, “Behold a man whose name is the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ANGEL THAT TALKED WITH ME WENT FORTH - Probably to receive the explanation which was given him for Zechariah; and another angel, a higher angel, since he gives him a commission, “went forth to meet him,” being (it seems probable) instructed by the Angel of the Lord, who laid down the future dime... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAID UNTO HIM, RUN, SPEAK UNTO THIS YOUNG MAN - The prophet himself, who was to report to his people what he heard. Jeremiah says, “I am a youth” Jeremiah 1:6; and, “the young man,” “the young prophet,” carried the prophetic message from Elisha to Jehu. “Youth,’” common as our English term in re... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I, MYSELF IN MY OWN BEING, WILL BE TO HER A WALL OF FIRE - Not protection only, an inner circle around her, however near an enemy might press in upon her, but destructive to her enemies. Isaiah says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise in judgme... [ Continue Reading ]
HO! HO! AND FLEE - Such being the safety and glory in store for God’s people in Jerusalem, He who had so provided it, the Angel of the Lord, bids His people everywhere to come to it, saving themselves also from the peril which was to come on Babylon. So Isaiah bade them, “Go ye forth of Babylon; fle... [ Continue Reading ]
DWELLEST WITH THE DAUGHTER OF BABYLON - The unusual idiom is perhaps chosen as expressive of God’s tenderness, even to the people who were to be destroyed, from which Israel was to escape.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE GLORY - Jonathan: “Which it is promised to bring upon you.” This being the usual construction, the words involve a great course of God’s dealing, of first showing favor to those who will receive favor, then abandoning or punishing the rest; as, when the eight souls had been received into t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR BEHOLD I WILL SHAKE MY HAND AGAINST THEM - As God promised of old against the enemies of His people , and they shall be a spoil to those who served them habitually. AND YE SHALL KNOW THAT THE LORD OF HOSTS HATH SENT ME - Theodoret: “He was sent, not as God, but as Man. For as God He is equal to... [ Continue Reading ]
SING AND REJOICE, O DAUGHTER OF ZION - It is a great jubilee of joy, to which Zion is invited. Thrice beside is she invited with this same word, and all for the restored or renewed Presence of God. “Cry aloud for joy, thou barren which bare not” Isaiah 54:1, as here, on the coming in of the Gentiles... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY NATIONS SHALL JOIN THEMSELVES - cleaving to Him by a close union. Isaiah had so spoken of single proselytes Isaiah 56:3; Jeremiah had used the word of Israel’s self-exhortation after the return from Babylon; “going and weeping,” they shall go and seek the Lord their God, saying, “Come and l... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SHALL INHERIT JUDAH HIS PORTION - The inheritance of the Lord is the title which God commonly gave to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 9:26, Deuteronomy 9:29; 1 Samuel 26:19; 2Sa 14:16; 2 Samuel 20:19; 2 Samuel 21:3; 1 Kings 8:51;... [ Continue Reading ]
BE SILENT - Literally, “hush all flesh, before the Lord” (see at Habakkuk 2:20, p. 207); man in his weakness Genesis 6:3; 2 Chronicles 32:8; Job 10:4; Psalms 56:4; Psalms 78:39; Isaiah 31:3; Jeremiah 17:5, “flesh and blood” in the language of the New Testament... [ Continue Reading ]