_THE GLORIOUS GOD WILL BE SERVED IN HUMBLE SINCERITY: HE COMFORTETH THE HUMBLE WITH THE MARVELLOUS GENERATION, AND WITH THE GRACIOUS BENEFITS OF THE CHURCH. GOD'S SEVERE JUDGMENTS AGAINST THE WICKED. THE GENTILES SHALL HAVE A HOLY CHURCH, AND SEE THE DAMNATION OF THE WICKED._ _Before Christ 698._... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD, &C.— God here makes use of a sublime discourse, suitable to his Majesty, to reach the genuine sense whereof we must consider it as directed to the hypocrites, who supposed the care of the temple and sacrifice to be the principal and most acceptable part of worship in the sight o... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT KILLETH AN OX, &C.— God here shews, that the external ritual worship offered to him by hypocrites and wicked persons, void of faith and holiness, was no more estimable in his sight, than the material temple above spoken of; but that he was as much offended by the ritual worship of the impure... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, &C.— _Hear,_ &c. _your brethren who hated you, who cast you out, say, Jehovah shall be glorified for,_ of _on account of, my name: but we shall see your joy,_ &c. Vitringa supposes that the apostles and followers of Christ, the seed of the first church, who were to constit... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE SHE TRAVAILED, &C.— Another consolatory argument is here urged, to those who _reverence the word of Jehovah,_ who form the _true Sion,_ taken from the sudden and wonderful increase of the church among the Gentiles, superior to all human thoughts and expectation; for from the 9th and 11th vers... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY MILK OUT, &C.— _That ye may draw forth the delicious nourishment from her abundant stores._ Lowth.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHELD, &C.— _Behold, I will diffuse peace over her like the river_ [_Euphrates_], _and the glory of the Gentiles as the flowing Nile: Ye shall suck, ye shall be carried at her side,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN YE SEE THIS, &C.— When the true believers, at the time of this distinguished mercy of God to his church, should observe his favour to them, and his punishment of their enemies, full of joy they should triumph in the salvation of Jehovah; their _understanding_ of the divine will, their _fait... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, BEHOLD, &C.— This passage is wholly figurative, exhibiting God, as about to take vengeance upon the enemies of his church, under the figure of a commander and warrior, as well as of a judge, armed at all points, severely to take vengeance upon those who have provoked his indignation. See chap.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT SANCTIFY THEMSELVES— These verses specify the cause of the extreme severity denounced in those preceding, and are to be understood figuratively, like the expressions used in Isaiah 66:3 and in ch. Isaiah 65:3; Isaiah 65:11. אחד אחר _achar achad, Behind one tree,_ may be rendered, _After He... [ Continue Reading ]
IT SHALL COME, THAT I WILL GATHER, &C.— The prophet here describes the manner of converting the Gentiles, after the rejection of the greater part of the Jews. Vitringa thinks that this alludes to the first calling of the Gentiles, and that St. Paul manifestly refers to this passage, in his epistle t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS THE NEW HEAVENS, &C.— This conclusion connects not only with the preceding period, but with the argument of the two former sections, as well as with the whole book, with respect to its principal scope. For, what scope and end, not only of this book, but of the whole prophetic word, can be fix... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS— The meaning is, that in consequence of the creating and perfecting of these new heavens and new earth; that is to say, of establishing this new and spiritual oeconomy; all men at length throughout the world, acknowledging and embracing the true religion, should with great... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL GO FORTH— We have here the end of all transgressors, of incredulous Jews, and apostate Christians, like them obstinate in unbelief or apostacy, and hardened in spiritual death, to begin in this world, and to continue for ever. The prophet here speaks of the punishment of sinners, who... [ Continue Reading ]