_THE CHURCH, COMPLAINING OF HER SMALL NUMBER, AND THE GENERAL CORRUPTION, PUTTETH HER CONFIDENCE NOT IN MAN, BUT IN GOD. SHE TRIUMPHETH OVER HER ENEMIES. GOD COMFORTETH HER BY PROMISES, BY CONFUSION OF THE ENEMIES, AND BY HIS MERCIES._ _Before Christ 710._... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM AS WHEN THEY HAVE GATHERED— _For I am like to those who are about to gather the summer fruits, and to him who is about to pluck the vintage: there are no grapes which I can eat, nor first-fruits which my soul desireth._ Houbigant; who supposes, that the prophet here introduces our Saviour s... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY MAY DO EVIL WITH BOTH HANDS EARNESTLY— _Their hands are prepared for evil, not for good: the prince asketh, and the judge demandeth for him. He who is great openly avows the wickedness of his soul, and they detest him._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOST UPRIGHT IS SHARPER THAN A THORN-HEDGE— Rauwolff tells us, that about Tripoli there are abundance of vineyards and fine gardens, inclosed for the most part with hedges; between which gardens, run several roads and pleasant shady walks. The hedges, he says, chiefly consist of the _rhamnus, pa... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I WILL LOOK UNTO THE LORD— The same divine Person, says Houbigant, goes on to speak, who said in the Gospel, _A man's enemies are those of his own household;_ and who clearly foretels here both his passion and resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HIM— _Because I am about to be his victim,_ or _sacrifice for sin._ Nothing is more common in the sacred Scripture, than to denote the _expiation of sin_ by the word חטא _cheit._ See Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DAY, &C.— _In the day that thy walls shall be rebuilt, that day shall remove from thee the decree_ or _judgment;_ that is to say, thine established laws; the laws of thy kingdom and temple. That threats, not promises, are contained in this passage, will appear probable to the reader who atten... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY, &C.— _That day shall bring thine enemies, as from Assyria, so also from Egypt; as from Egypt, so also from the river,_ &c. The Roman forces came against the Jews, both from Egypt, and from the countries of the East, which were formerly subject to the Assyrians. Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTWITHSTANDING, THE LAND SHALL BE DESOLATE— _And the land shall be laid waste, with its inhabitants; this shall be the fruit of their doings._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
FEED THY PEOPLE— These are the words of the prophet to the same divine Person who had said that he should _arise_ after he had _fallen,_ Micah 7:8 considering whom as a shepherd, he prays him to feed his flock in fertile pastures; for this is meant by Bashan, Gilead, and Carmel. The prophet, therefo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NATIONS SHALL SEE— The prophet speaks here, to the end of the chapter; foretelling the miracles of the rising church, and the pardon of sins to be given by the Lord Jesus Christ. See Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THOU WILT CAST ALL THEIR SINS, &C.— Houbigant very properly joins the preceding clauses in this verse to the 18th, because the words pass into the second person, which continues to be used in the 20th verse. The whole is a beautiful prediction of gospel grace and mercy. REFLECTIONS.—1st, The pr... [ Continue Reading ]