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and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

d

thee, and *purely "purge away thy dross,
and take away all thy tin:
26 And I will restore thy judges as at 29 For they shall be ashamed of a the
the first, and thy counsellors as at the be-oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall
ginning: afterward thou shalt be called, be confounded for the gardens that ye
The city of righteousness, the faithful have chosen.

city.

g

30 For 'ye shall be as an oak whose 27 Zion shall be redeemed with judg-leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no ment, and ther converts with righteous

ness.

28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together,

*Heb. according to pureness.
u 22. 4:4. 6:11-13. Jer. 6:29, 9:
7. Ez. 20.32. Zeph. 3:11.
Mal. 3:3. Matt. 3:12.
x 32:1,2. 60:17:18. Num. 12:3.
16:15. 1 Sam. 12:2-5. Jer.
33.7,15-17. Ez. 34:23,24. 37:
24,25. 45:8.

y 21. 60:21. 62:1. Jer. 31:23.
Zeph. 3:9,13. Zech. 8:8. Rev.

21:27.

z 5:16. 45:21-25. Rom. 3:24-
26. 11:26,27. 2 Cor. 5:21. Eph.
1:7,8. Tit. 2:14. 1 Pet. 1:18,19.
† Or, they that return of her.
a Job 31:3. Ps. 1:6. 5.6. 37:38.
73:27. 92:9. 104:35. Prov. 29:1.
1 Thes. 5:3. 2 Thes. 1:8,9. 2
Pet. 3.7. Rev. 21:8.
‡ Heb. breaking.

'forbidden.' Bp. Lowth. 5:22. Prov. 23:30.
Cant. 8:2.)-Wine mixed with water would
therefore convey the idea of wine, debased and
become worthless. The Septuagint renders
the clause; "Thy vintners (ano) mix thy
'wine with water.' The apostle uses a word
from the same root (Kannλevovres) in speaking of
those who corrupt the gospel by base mix-
tures. (Note, 2 Cor. 2:14-17.)

water.

31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

1

b 30:13,14. 50:11. 65:11,12.
Sam. 12:25. 1 Kings 9.6-9.
1 Chr. 28.9. Zeph. 1:4-6.
c 30:22. 31:7. 45:16. Ez. 16:63.
36:31. Hos. 14:3,8. Rom. 6:21.
d 57:5. marg. Ez. 6:13. Hos.

4:13.

e 65:3. 66:17. Jer. 2:20. 3:6.
f 5:6. Jer. 17:5,6. Ez. 17:9:10,
24. Matt. 21:19,20.

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indeed most fully accord to the meaning of this energetic language. Yet there is reason to expect a more literal and exact accomplishment of the prophecy, in respect of Israel as a nation, and the city Jerusalem, in the latter days. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Jer. 31:2326,35—40. Ez. 34:23–31. 37:24–28. 39:23—29. Hos. 3:4,5.)

V. 28-31. The ruin of apostates, and of V. 25-27. The Lord did not mean so to de- all the wicked, must accompany, the purity stroy a hypocritical and wicked nation, as to and prosperity of the true church; and will leave no remnant: but he foretold for the en- come upon them suddenly, at once, and on all couragement of the pious few, that "he would of them together, so that they cannot help turn his hand upon Zion" to cleanse her, and each other. The idols, and the groves or garon the incorrigible to punish them. (Ps. 81: dens, which the Jews preferred to the worship 14. Zech. 13:7. Heb.) His most tremendous of JEHOVAH at his temple, would shortly turn judgments should be as the fire of a purifying to their confusion. (Marg. Ref.-Note, 66:15 furnace, to separate all dross and alloy of base-18.)-The word, rendered "oaks," probably metal from her silver; to destroy hypocrites means some trees of the ever-green species: from among her worshippers, and to make be- and it was predicted that the wicked Jews lievers more holy and spiritual. (Notes, 21—should become as one of them, when being 24. Zech. 13:8,9. 1 Pet. 1:6,7. 4:12-19.) Then blasted by excessive heat, all its leaves fade at judges and counsellors, like the judges raised once; and as a garden without water, which up to reform and deliver Israel, or rather like in those hot countries must very soon be utDavid and other pious princes and rulers, in terly burnt up. Nay, the most potent of them her first and best days, should be raised up, would become "as tow, and his work," (marg.) under whom so blessed a change should take "as a spark to set fire to it;" and thus they place, that Jerusalem should be called, "The should burn together without being quenched. city of righteousness, the faithful metropolis.' ." This may describe the wretched state of the For Zion and her worshippers should be re- Jewish nation, especially when Jerusalem was deemed from enemies and iniquities; and new taken by the Chaldeans; and the destruction converts added to her, by the righteous judg- of the idols with the idolaters, so that the naments which had been foretold. (Note, Zech. tion never afterwards relapsed into gross idol12:6-8.)-When God shall redeem Zion, and atry.-Then both the framers of idolatry, and 'restore those that truly turn to him, he will their devices shall perish together, however 'make a remarkable discrimination between 'supported by secular power, or recommended 'the righteous and the wicked; God's judg-by worldly grandeur.' Lowth.-The ruin of 'ments will be visible in punishing the latter, antichristian, as well as pagan, idolatry, atand his mercy in saving the former.' Lowth. tended with dreadful judgments on the incor-The display of the divine justice, as well as rigible idolaters, seems also predicted: but the mercy, in the way of the sinner's salvation, language most emphatically describes the seems also to be referred to.-The calamities state of the wicked in another world; when of Ahaz, Sennacherib's invasion, the distress all their idolized possessions, vain confidences, which it occasioned, its surprising event, and superstitions, hypocritical and ostentatious Hezekiah's reformation, were accomplish-works and services, as well as their wicked ments of this prediction: and so were the Baby- works, will terminate in confusion and anlonish captivity, the redemption of the captive guish, and aggravate their tremendous doom. Jews, and their consequent adherence to the (Marg. Ref.) worship of JEHOVAH-The redemption of the spiritual Zion, by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by his powerful grace; her repeated deliverances by his righteous judgments on her enemies; her prosperity and increase under his government; and her comparative purity on earth, and perfect purity in heaven; VOL IV

2

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-9.

The varied, persevering, and suitable methods, which the Lord, by his ministers, employs to check the progress of impiety and iniquity, to bring sinners to repentance, and to retain

(9

"

his people in his worship and service; when "wounds and bruises," under which the reunsuccessful, eventually demonstrate the pow-ligion of the land lies gasping, "have not been er of man's depravity, leave sinners more in- closed, nor bound up, nor mollified with ointexcusable in their crimes, and tend to manifest ment.' While we seem to prosper in our civil the justice of God in their punishment. We estate, "the daughter of Zion," the cause of should therefore seek his grace to render every the gospel, is left as a cottage in a vineyard, means effectual to ourselves and others, with and "as a besieged city," against which the earnestness proportioned to the number of our hosts of aliens encamp on every side, with peculiar advantages: else the gospel of Christ proud menaces and boastings, as if they were will become "a savor of death to us;" and the about to swallow her up. "Except the LORD heavens and the earth will declare his right- of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, cousness in our condemnation.-Man, each we should have become like Sodom and Goman, owes his reasonable powers and valua- morrah," in wickedness and in desolation: and ble distinctions, to his Maker's goodness: he doubtless the inhabitants of those cities will is upheld by his power, and feasted by his rise up in judgment, and condemn numbers in bounty, and treated as a favored child; yet he Britain, who are daring in their iniquity amidst alone, as a monster of ingratitude, spurns the so many superior advantages. (Note, Matt. 11: authority of his gracious Friend and Father, 20-24.)-How dreadful then must be the deand behaves towards him with contempt and pravity of human nature, which grows so exeninity! The dull ox and ass, (as well as the ceedingly wicked, under the most suitable more sagacious animals,) whilst they express means of becoming holy! Surely in this respect a kind of gratitude to the hand which feeds too it may be said, "the whole head is sick, and them, judge and condemn the human race, the whole heart faint!" This evil nature is in who know not the truths, perfections, or will every one of us: and no physician or medicine, of their Creator, or who do not consider their but Jesus and his sanctifying Spirit, can refolly and criminality in rebelling against him. store us to spiritual health. Let us then, by Where then is the man, who can justify him-faith and constant prayer, put our distemperself before God, or even at the bar of his own ed souls into his bands, that "the wounds, conscience? If we were appointed to judge bruises, and putrefying sores" may be molliour own cause, and had matters fairly stated fied and bound up, and closed by his healing before us, and no part of the evidence sup-care. Thus alone can our ruin be prevented, pressed; we should almost be constrained to and holiness and happiness be restored to our take his part against ourselves: no wonder souls. Blessed be God, there is a renmant, then, that at last "every mouth will be stopped, we trust a greatly increasing remnant, (may and all the world become guilty before God." he increase it more and more,) of true believ(Note, Rom. 3:19,20.)-But the rebellion and ers, for whose sake, and in answer to whose ingratitude of those, who are favored with his prayers, the Lord has hitherto spared us; and oracles and ordinances, are peculiarly aggra- whose examples and endeavors may yet prevated; and the impiety and wickedness of na- vail to revive the power of godliness throughtions professing Christianity display a sottish-out our land. To them let us cordially attach ness, and a contempt of God, equally aston- ourselves, and join our prayers and endeavors ishing and detestable. With what justice and with theirs. Nor should we despair, even if propriety, then, might JEHOVAH address this we saw the rulers and inhabitants of the land favored land, as he did Judah of old, "Ah, generally like those of Sodom. The cause is sinful nation! a people laden with iniquity!" not lost, whilst any witnesses for the truth reOur degenerating, from the faith, zeal, piety,main, to preach, and write, and protest, and purity, and patience, which marked our na-pray, against prevailing impiety and infidelity; tional character, during the progress of the or to oppose a holy example to the torrent of reformation; into open infidelity, impiety, and iniquity and licentiousness. (P. O. Ps. 11:) licentiousness, fraud, and perjury, marks us to be "a people laden with iniquity." The early Many are apt to think, that none except inproficiency of large multitudes of our youth in fidels and profligates are in danger of impendvice and irreligion, and in tempting others to ing vengeance: but, in fact, hypocrites are at wickedness, mark them to be "children that least as deeply criminal as they. Indeed "the are corrupters." In short, as a nation, we form of godliness" has very generally been have generally "forsaken the LORD, pro- thrown aside among us, as an useless encumvoked the Holy One of Israel to anger," and brance. Yet it may be feared, that there are are estranged from him. The patience of God many, who attend places of public worship, has indeed hitherto preserved us from propor-nay, contribute largely to the expense of buildtionable calamities: we hope that it is not be-ing and supporting them; who hear, or even cause he has given us up as incorrigible; "see-preach, many sermons; who zealously profess ing we revolt more and more" in the midst and dispute about the great truths of the gosboth of judgments and mercies. But though it cannot be said, "Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire, your land strangers devour it in your presence;" yet, were it not for a few honorable exceptions, it might be said, as to our religious character, "The whole head is sick, the whole heart is faint." The malignant distemper also breaks forth in every part, and pervades with dire progress, all orders and ranks of men: an inpious and infidel contempt of the word and ordinances of God, appears every day more avowed: nay, even those who are maintained influence, to promote the cause of true Chistianity, often stand forth in the opposite ph lanx, or by their doctrines and examples betray her cause, nor does any one call them to account for so doing! So that the

V. 10-20.

pel; who are found stated communicants at
the Lord's table, and even offer many prayers
with apparent devotion; to whom the Lord
may justly say, "To what purpose are all these
'services? I can have no delight in them, nor
'you any profit from them. Who has required
persons of your character and allowed habit-
'ual conduct, to appear before me, and tread
'my courts? I am wearied with and even loathe
'your worship, your sacraments, your costly
'and ostentatious services: affront me no more
with your hateful and disgusting devotions,
which are merely the cloke of injustice and
'impenitency. I will hear none of your hypo-
'critical prayers; and your public fasts and
'solemn meetings are iniquity; for "your hands
are full of blood," of fraud, oppression, and
'open or secret licentiousness.Let us then

CHAP. II.

in the days of the Messiah, 1-5; of the rejection of the Jews

f Come ye, and let us go up to the mounPredictions of the establishment, extent, and peace of the church,tain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

for their iniquities and idolatries, 69; and of divine judgthem of idolatry, and cause them to cease from confidence in

ments, which would be employed to humble their pride, cure man, 10-22.

THE

HE word that Isaiah the son of Amoz
saw concerning Judah and Jeru-

salem.

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h

k

4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any

more.

1

Jer. 31:6. 50:4,5. Zech. 8:20—|i

23.

g Deut. 6:1. Ps. 25:8,9. Matt.
7:24. Luke 11:28. John 7:17.
Acts 10:33. Jam. 1:25.

11:3,4. 1 Sam. 2:10. Ps. 82:8.

96:13. 110.6. John 16:8-11. Acts 17:31. Rev. 19:11.

k 9:7. 11:6-9. Ps. 46:9. Hos. 2:
18. Joel 3:10. Mic. 4:3. Zech.
9:10.

b 51.4,5. Ps. 110:2. Luke 24:47.
Acts 1:8. 13:46-48. Rom. 10:† Or, scythes.
1 60:17,18. Ps. 72:3-7.

13.

"judge ourselves, that we be not judged of the tience, and purity; could they, I say, arise from Lord." Without a contrite and upright heart, the dead, and survey the whole of the professGod will accept no sacrifice from us: if we ing church of Christ; and observe the ambiallow ourselves in secret iniquity, or forbidden tion, magnificence, avarice, luxury, carnal indulgence; or if we reject the salvation of policy, and sloth, of numbers who appear as Christ; our very prayers will be an abomina- its rulers and teachers; surely they would extion. Nor can any national regard to the ex- claim with grief and astonishment, far greater ternals of religion avert national judgments, than that of the prophet, "How is the faithful so long as murder, and cruel oppression are city become an harlot! It was full of judgsanctioned by law, or permitted to be perpe- ment, righteousness lodged in it, but now-" trated with impunity.-But, blessed be God, (P. O. Rev. 18:9-19.)-Alas! the silver is genthere is a "fountain opened for sin and for un-erally become dross, and the wine mixed cleanness," in which the most deeply criminal with water, and horrible abuses almost every may wash and be made clean. To this sin- where prevail. For whilst men are seeking ners, of every order in society, are directed by "every one his gain from his quarter," "loving the ministers of religion, with plain and ener- || gifts and following after rewards;" no wonder getic warnings and exhortations. By the grace that piety, justice, and mercy are little attendof the gospel, the most enslaved sinner mayed to. (Note, 56:9-12.) But we must leave "put away the evil of his doings from before the eyes of the LORD:" he may be enabled "to cease to do evil, and may learn to do well;" and may also find pardon and acceptance by faith in Jesus Christ. And when "faith worketh by love" of God and man, and he seeks "to do judgment, to relieve the oppressed," and to patronise the fatherless and widow, according to his station in society: this change of temper and conduct will prove him interested in all the blessings of salvation. Well then may JEHOVAH call upon us to draw near to him, that he may "reason with us;" for all his dispensations are most righteous and most reasonable. But his condescension in allowing us to reason with him cannot be sufficiently expressed; for all our conduct, and all our jections, are absurd and unreasonable in the extreme. What can be more rational, than every precept of his holy law? What more reasonable, than his call to repent and believe his gospel? If we he "willing and obedient," our sins, though of crimson and scarlet hue, will become as snow, or wool; and every bless-in: ing will be communicated: but if we continue to refuse and rebel, we must be consumed by his righteous vengeance; "for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." O Lord, incline every one of our hearts to accept of thy mercy, and to live to thy glory.'

V. 21-31.

the impenitent to the judgment of "the Mighty One of Israel," who will certainly "ease hin of his adversaries, and avenge him of his enemies." And, whilst we are careful not to be found among them, let us rejoice in the prophetic assurance, that he will purely purge his church from all her dross and alloy, and furnish her with rulers and teachers, like the holy apostles and martyrs of old, that she may be called "the City of righteousness, the Faithful City." Let us pray for the hastening of those blessed times, when Zion shall be redeemed from her spiritual bondage, by the Lord's righteous judgments on every antichristian opposer; and enlarged by converts innumerable, adorned with the robe of the Redeen er's ob-righteousness, and walking in all holy obedi ence before him. But believers may expect still more glorious days at the end of the world; at the very time when all transgressors who forsake the Lord shall be confounded and consumed, and shall be ashamed of all those things, which here they desired and rejoiced

Could those, who saw the Christian church, in those pure times, when "great grace was upon all" the multitude of believers; and rulers and teachers were distinguished chiefly by their humility, disinterestedness, simplicity, pa

||

when sinners will become, not only as the withered tree and the parched garden, but even the mightiest of them as tow, and their most splendid performances as fire, and "they shall burn together and none shall quench them."

NOTES.

CHAP. II. V. 1. This chapter and the two following form one distinct prophecy, or message from God to the Jews, which probably was delivered about the close of Uzziah's reign.

m

r

5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let|| gold, neither is there any end of their us walk in the light of the LORD. treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: 8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: 9 And the mean man boweth down, himself: and the great man humbleth therefore forgive them not.

6 ¶ Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people, the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, P and they † please themselves in the children of strangers.

7 Their land also is full of silver and

m 3. 50. 10,11. 60:1.19. Ps. 29.15. Luke 1:79. John 12:35,36. Rom. 13.12-14. Eph. 5:8. 1 Thes. 5:5,6. 1 John 1:7. Rev. 21:29,24.

n Deut. 31:16,17. 2 Chr. 15:2. 24 0. Lam. 5:20. Rom. 11:1, 2,20.

*Or, more than the east. Num. 23:7.

o 8:19. 47:12,13.

Ex. 22:18.

Lev. 19:31. 20:6. Deut. 18:10
-14. 1 Chr. 10:13.

p Ex. 34:16. Num. 25:1,2.
Deut. 21:11-13. 1 Kings 11:
1,2. Ps. 106:35. Jer. 10:2.
† Or, abound with, &c.

q Deut. 17:17. 1 Kings 10:21-
27. 2 Chr. 9:20-25. Jer. 5:27,
28. Jam. 5:1-3. Rev. 18:3,11
-17.

X

10 Enter into the rock, and hide

r 30:16. 31:1. Deut. 17:16.
Kings 4:26. 10:26. Ps. 20:7.
Hos. 14:3.

8 57:5. Chr. 27:2. 28:2--4,23
-25.33:3-7. Jer. 2:28. 11:13.
Ez. 16:23-25. Hos. 12:11.
Acts 17:16.

t 37:19. 44:15-20. Deut. 4:28.
Ps. 115:4-8. Hos. 8:6. 13:2.

1

14:3. Rev. 9:20.

u 5:15. Ps. 49:2.

Jer. 5:4,5.

Rom. 3:23. Rev. 6:15-17.

x 57:9. Col. 2:18,23.

y 27:11. Josh. 24:19. Jer. 18: 23. Mark 3:29.

z 19-21. 10:3. 42:22. Judg. 6:1, 2. Job 30:5,6. Hos. 10:8. Luke 23:30. Rev. 6:15,16.

V. 2-5. (Notes, Mic. 4:1-5.) "The last Rev. 20:4--6.) There needs no other proof, days," or, "the latter days," signify the times that the grand accomplishment of this prophof the Messiah, by the common consent of ex-ecy is reserved for some future period, than positors, without excepting even those of the the consideration, that nothing in any measure Jews: and generally the later period of those answerable to such forcible expressions, has times. (Marg. Ref. c.-Notes, Jer. 48:47. 1 yet occurred on earth.-The prophet closes Tim. 4:1-5. 2 Pet. 3:1-4.)-As Solomon's his prediction, by exhorting his people to avail temple, the centre of Israel's worship, was themselves of their advantages, and not to replaced upon a mountain, to which the people ject the gospel when preached to them: for resorted with their sacrifices from distant these prophecies were intended to instruct fuplaces; so the church of Christ, and its insti- ture generations.-"This prophecy will not retuted worship, are represented as a temple 'ceive its utmost completion, till the destrucbuilt upon a mountain. (Notes, Ez. 40:2. Dan. tion of the four monarchies, (Dan. 2:35.) and 2:34,35,44,45.) The establishment of his reli- 'the fulness of the Jews and Gentiles are come gion, by the abrogation of the Mosaic dispen- 'into the church. (Mic. 4:) Yet both these sation, and on the ruins of idolatry; and the prophecies may be partly fulfilled in the seradvancement of his kingdom above all the 'eral advances which Christ's kingdom makes kingdoms of the earth, are here predicted, un- 'in the world, who is described as "going forth der the emblem "of the mountain of the 'conquering and to conquer." Rev. 6:2. LORD's house being established on the top of Lowth.-"This seems to have been a maxim in the mountains, and exalted above the hills." interpreting prophecies, received among the The calling of the Gentiles, the success of the || Jews before Christ's time; that wherever they gospel in the apostles' days, and especially observed an imperfect completion of a prophthat far more extensive propagation of it which 'ecy in an historical event, which no way anis yet to come, are predicted under the image 'swered the lofty expressions and extensive of "all nations flowing to this mountain of the promises, which the natural sense of the text Lord's house," as all rivers flow into the ocean. 'imported, there they supposed the times of The earnestness of each new convert to bring the Messiah to be ultimately intended, "in others with him, to the knowledge of Christ, whom all the promises of God are yea, and and to a life of holiness, is expressed, by the "amen." To prevent any misunderstanding, it people inviting one another to "go up to the may be proper likewise to take notice, that house" of God, to be instructed in his ways. this mystical sense of the prophecies is now (Notes, 66:19-23. Jer. 31:6,7. Zech. 8:20--23.) and then, but not so fitly, called a secondary When apostles and evangelists, of the Jewish sense: not as if it were less principally intendnation, went forth to preach the gospel to the 'ed by the prophets; but rather with respect to Gentiles, "a law went forth out of Zion, and the time, because it is the last or ultimate the word of God from Jerusalem:" for Christ completion of their predictions.' Ibid.-The is a Prince as well as a Savior, and his word times of the Messiah are the times, which incontains precepts to be obeyed, as well as tervene between his coming and the end of truths to be believed. (Note, 1 Thes. 4:1-5.)|| the world.-Whether the restoration of Israel By the establishment of the gospel, the Lord to their own land, and of Jerusalem to its prisbecomes Judge among the nations, who will-tine glory, of being the capital city of the reli ingly submit to his authority, and make him the arbiter of their differences: and by his rebukes and convictions, the instructions that he gives, and the grace which he bestows, he promotes peace as well as purity. If all men were consistent Christians, there could be no war: as far as Christianity has prevailed on earth, wars have been conducted with far greater humanity, than before: as far as it prevails in our hearts it disposes us to peace and love: and we may assuredly expect, ere long, such a general promulgation of the gospel, as will literally fulfil the terms of this prophecy, in the universal prevalence of peace and industry; and then war shall never more be either a science, or an occupation. (Notes, 9:6,7, v. 7. 11:6-9. Ps. 72:3-7. Luke 2:8-14, v. 14.

gious world, be intended, events will shew;
but certainly something far beyond the crush-
ing of the opposing powers is meant, by men's
"learning war no more. (Notes, Ex. 38: 39:
Rev. 19:11--21. 20:1--6.) The prophet ad-
'dresses himself to those Jews of later times,
'that should live, when the glad tidings of the
gospel were published, and exhorts them to
make use of those means of grace, which God
'would so plentifully afford them; and not con-
'tinue stubborn or refractory, as their forefa-
'thers had done.' Lowth.

Shall beat their swords, &c. (4) The prophet Joel has reversed the figurative language, in predicting the wars, by which the millennium will be introduced. (Note, Joel 3:9-17, v. 10.)

V.6-9. The prophet was led, from the view

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thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD,
and for the glory of his majesty.

11 The lofty looks of man shall be
humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall
be bowed down, and the LORD alone
shall be exalted "in that day.

12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low;

13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

14 And "upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,

a 6:3-5. Job 31:23. 37:22-24.

Ps. 90:11. Jer. 10.7,10. Luke
12:5. Rev. 15:3,4.

b 17. 5:15. 13:11. 24:21. Job 40:
10-12. Ps. 18:27. Jer. 50.31,
32. Mal. 4:1. Luke 18:14. 1
Pet. 5:5.

e 5:16. 12:4. Jer. 9:24. 1 Cor. 1:
29-31. 2 Cor. 10:17.

d 4:1. 11:10,11. 12:1,4. 24:21. 25:
9. 25:1. 27:1,2,12,13. 28:5. 29:
18. 52:6. Jer. 30:7,8. Ez. 38:
14,19. 39:11,22. Hos. 2:16,18,

21. Joel 3:18. Am. 9:11. Ob.
8. Mic. 4.6. 5:10. 7:11,12.
Zeph. 3:11,16. Zech. 9:16.

e 13:6,9. Jer. 46:10. Ez. 13:5.
Am. 5:18. Mal. 4:5. 1 Cor. 5:
5. 1 Thes. 5:2.

f 23.9. Prov. 6:16,17. 16:5.
Dan. 4:37. 5.20-24. Matt. 23:
12. Luke 14:11. Jam. 4:6,
g 10:33,34. 14:8. 37:24. Ez. 31:
3-12. Am. 2.5. Zech. 11:1,2.
h 30:25, 40:4. Ps. 68:16. 110:5,
6. 2 Cor. 10:5.

of the glorious times, which were at length to
arrive, to reflect on the deplorable state of re-
ligion among the Jews in his days. He fore-
saw that the Lord was about to reject his peo-
ple, and speaks to him of it as if already done:
and he proceeds to assign the reasons of the
divine conduct. He observes, that they were
"replenished from the east," with idols, or idol-
aters, or necromancers; with vices, luxuries,
heathenish fashions, and every thing which
could minister to pride and sensual indulgence.
(Note, 2 Chr. 9:13-21, v. 21.) They imitated
the Philistines in divination and witchcraft:
they took delight in the children of strangers,
whom they employed and imitated; and with
whom they contracted marriages: and perhaps
they even educated their own children after
the manner of the heathen nations. Whilst
the Lord prospered them in their temporal es-
tate, their grand object was by every method
to accumulate treasure; and they multiplied
chariots and horses contrary to the law. (Vote,
Deut. 17:16.)-This account of their prosperity
accords very well with the reign of Uzziah; (2
Chr. 26:1-15.) but he did not sanction idolatry,
It seems, however, that the land was also full
of idols, which the people, in the lower and
higher ranks, made and worshipped secretly.
In short their wickedness loudly called for
vine judgments; and the prophet says, "There-
fore thou wilt not forgive them," as it might
more literally be rendered. (Note, 27:7-11, v.
11.) 'Plenty of silver and gold could only arise
from their commerce; particularly from that
'part of it which was carried on by the Red
'Sea. This circumstance seems to confine the
'prophecy within the limits above mentioned,'
(the reigns of Uzziah and of Jotham,) while
the port of Elath was in their possession: it
"was_lost_under Ahaz, and never recovered.'
Bp. Lowth. (2 Kings 16:6.)

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17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

18 And the idols the shall utterly abolish.

19 And they shall go into the holes. of the rocks, and into the caves of the #earth, "for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

20 In that day a

i 23:1. 1 Kings 10.22. 22:48,49.
Ps. 48:7. Rev. 18:17-19.
*Heb. pictures of desire.
Num. 33:52. Rev. 18:11,12.

k See on 11 13:11. Jer. 48:29,
30. Ez. 28:2-7.

1 27:9. Ez. 36:25. 37:23. Hos.

14:8. Zeph. 1:3. Zech. 13:2. † Or, shall utterly pass away. m See on 10,21.-1 Sam. 13.6. 14:11. Jer. 16:16. Hos. 10.8. Mic. 7:17. Heb. 11:38. Rev.

man shall P cast

6:15. 9:6.

Heb. dust.

n See on 10.-2 Thes. 1:9.
o 30:32. Ps. 7:6. 18:6-15. 76:7.
-9. 114:5-7. Mic. 1.3,4. Nah.
1:36. Hab. 3:3-14. Hag.
2:6,21,22. Heb. 12:26. 2 Pet.
3:10-13. Rev. 6:12-14. 11:
13,19. 16:18. 20:11.
p 30:22. 31-7. 46:1,2. Hos. 14:8.
Phil. 3:7,8.

own glory and authority, by abasing them for their pride; and especially the most exalted and ambitious of them. For that day of his vengeance would peculiarly affect the haughty, and the eminent, who were advanced above others, as the stately cedars on the lofty summits of Lebanon, or as the oaks in the forests of Bashan, or as the mountains and hills above the lowly valleys. And, whilst all their fortifications were levelled, and all those things which ministered to their pride and luxury were destroyed; their distinctions would vanish, and they would become sensible of their weakness, guilt, and misery: and by this the Lord would utterly destroy idolatry from among them.-But of what day does the prophet speak? It may be accommodated to any of those days, when God arises to execute vengeance on guilty nations. The desolations of Judah by the Israelites and Syrians, in the reign of Ahaz, (Notes, 2 Chr. 28:5-8.) and the ravages of Sennacherib, might form a prelude to the accomplishment of the prediction: but the taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and the Babylonish captivity, seem especially intended, when idolatry was indeed entirely abolished among the Jews. The final destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and the redi-jection and dispersion of the Jewish nation, for their opposition to the gospel, might also be referred to: and our thoughts are naturally led forward to the destruction of all antichristian enemies, which will introduce the glorious period before predicted; (Notes, Rev. 19:1121.) and to the final consummation of all things, and the solemnities of the day of judgment.-The prophets often take occasion to represent the terrors of the last day, from the particular judgments, which should befal some one na'tion.... Bochart doth probably guess that Tar'shish, in its primary signification, was a port V. 10-18. The Jews were here solemnly in Spain, called afterwards Tartessus. But it warned to prepare for most tremendous judg-likewis appears, (by comparing 1 Kings 22: ments. Let them then hide themselves in those 48, with 2 Chr. 20:36.) that there was a place caverns, which were found in the rocks; of the same name near Ophir, famous for its (Notes, Judg. 6:2,3. Luke 23:26-31. Heb. 11:35 gold, which Ophir the same learned person -38. Rev. 6:12–17.) as dismayed by the dis-places in India.... Ships of Tarshish signify in play of the majesty of God, who was coming scripture any trading or merchant ships: acto take vengeance on them, and to exalt his 'cordingly here the Septuagint render the

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