_GOD EXPOSTULATETH WITH HIS PEOPLE ABOUT HIS MERCIES TO THE CHURCH, ABOUT HIS PROMISES, AND ABOUT THE VANITY OF IDOLS._ _Before Christ 712._ THE disputation against idolatry is continued from the preceding section, and here consists of a two-fold instance: in the former of which, we have, first, t... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP SILENCE, &C.— This whole section, connected with that preceding, makes the fourth part of the discourse. The prophet, having in view the subversion of idolatry under the Messiah, had in the former section, from Isaiah 41:18 argued against idolatry, from the essence and nature of God, the Suprem... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO RAISED UP THE RIGHTEOUS MAN, &C.— _Who hath raised up the righteous man from the east; hath called him to attend his steps? Hath subdued nations at his presence; and given him dominion over kings? Hath made them like the dust before his sword; and like the driven stubble before his bow? He pursu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ISLES SAW IT, &C.— Bishop Lowth renders the 7th verse, _The carver encouraged the smith; he that smootheth with the hammer, him that smiteth on the anvil; saying of the solder, it is good: and he fixeth the idol with nails, that it shall not move._ We have here the consequence of raising up this... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, ISRAEL, &C.— The prophet here subjoins to his reproof of the nations, a consolation to the people of God, drawn from the same argument, as also he had done in the preceding section. See the analysis of this chapter. In order fully to understand this consolation, it is necessary to observe,... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR NOT, THOU WORM JACOB— We have here a new consolatory exhortation; which I refer, says Vitringa, to the people of Christ, mean, afflicted, despised, such as they were at the very commencement of the kingdom of Christ among the Jews. The disposition of the prophet's discourse leads us to this; fo... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE POOR AND NEEDY SEEK WATER— Here, according to my hypothesis, says Vitringa, is described the state of the afflicted Christian church, after its happy beginning; particularly under Nero, who was the first public persecutor of the Christians. After the Israelites had departed from Egypt, and... [ Continue Reading ]
PRODUCE YOUR CAUSE— The prophet here returns to that part whence he had digressed, and makes a similar address to that in the first verse, to which we refer.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM BRING THEM FORTH— God, teaching his people the right method of disputing against idolaters, draws an argument, and urges it strongly, from the certain prediction of future contingencies of great moment, in their connection and order, and in their coherence with former and latter things. He... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE RAISED UP ONE FROM THE NORTH— The prophet changes his general argument into a particular one; repeating and urging more strongly the example of Cyrus, which he produced at the beginning of this discourse. Cyrus is said _to be raised up from the north,_ as he came with his army from Media, whi... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THEY ARE ALL VANITY—CONFUSION— _Behold, as to all them they are vanity—vanity._ This verse contains the conclusion of the whole disputation; collecting from what has gone before, that the idols from whom the Chaldees and others sought the knowledge of future events, were false and vain; neit... [ Continue Reading ]