_Then came certain of the elders of Israel_ Men of note, that were in office and power among the Jews. “The prophet neither tells us the name nor the intention of these elders of Israel, nor the time when they came to him. But the manner wherein God speaks, gives us to understand that they came only... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the word of the Lord came unto me_ To acquaint me with the real character of these men, and what I should say to them. _These men have set up their idols in their hearts_ They are not only inclined to idolatry in their hearts, but they have actually set up idols and worshipped them. It seems, h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Say unto them_ Declare my will clearly and faithfully; _Every man of the house of Israel_ Whoever he be, rich or poor, mighty or mean; _that setteth up his idols in his heart_ That is attached in his heart to any species of idolatry; _and cometh to the prophet_ As if he were desirous to know what i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore say, Repent_ Be truly sorry for your past sins, and give proof of your sorrow by forsaking them, &c.; _and turn from your idols_ Separate yourselves from them, that they may not finally and eternally separate you from God. _And turn away your faces_ Your heart and ways; _from all your abo... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if the prophet be deceived_ Or, _seduced._ This is to be understood of the false prophets, whose practices are reproved throughout the whole foregoing chapter. _I the Lord have deceived that prophet_ I Jehovah have suffered him to be deceived; I have given him up to _strong delusions_, as a jus... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the land_, or, _when a land sinneth_, &c. The meaning of this and the following verses is, that when the inhabitants of a land have filled up the measure of their iniquities, and God ariseth to execute judgment upon them, the few righteous that are left among them shall not be able, by their p... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land_ We find it was one punishment of the inhabitants of Judea, to be infested by lions and other wild beasts. To this their neighbourhood to the deserts of Arabia exposed them; and God, at certain times, to punish them for their sins, either by causin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet, behold, therein_ In Jerusalem itself, though marked for utter ruin; in Judea, though condemned to suffer unexampled desolations; _shall be left a remnant_ That shall not be cut off by any of those sore judgments before mentioned, but shall escape and be brought forth into Chaldea, to be your c... [ Continue Reading ]