their shame with them that go down to the pit. 25 They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain, with all her multitude: her graves are round about him: Pall of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of them that be slain. 26 There is a Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living. t 27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads; " but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. X 28 Yea, thou shalt be broken in the "the land of the living," because the way of life and salvation was there known. V. 24, 25. Nebuchadnezzar is supposed to ave conquered the province of Elam, which formed a part of Persia. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Jer. 49:34-38.) It is therefore represented, as fallen with the multitude of its inhabitants, into the grave, having been "slain by the sword." They too had been renowned and terrible; but at length they bare the shame of being defeated and destroyed. A bed, or coffin, was placed for Elam (the nation being represented as a deceased woman,) in the midst of all her multitude: and their king also was placed among those that were slain. midst of the uncircumcised, and shalt lie with them that are slain with the sword. 29 There is Edom, her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by them that were slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with them that go down to the pit. a 30 There be the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, which are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit. b 31 Pharaoh shall see them, and shall be comforted over all his multitude, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword, saith the Lord GOD. 32 For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that are slain with the sword, even Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD. y 25: 35: Gen. 25:30. 36.1,&c. | 25:22. f Heb. given, or, put. z 38:6. 39:2. a 28:21-23. Gen. 10:15. Jer. c 14:22. 31:16. Lam. 2:13. 'ments for perpetuating their memory.' Lowth. (Marg. and Marg. Ref.) V. 29. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, 25: 35: Obadiah. V.30. The north.] This may mean the Medes, Armenians, or other nations north of Babylon; or rather the Tyrians and Syrians north of Judah, who were more likely to be mentioned with the Zidonians. (Marg. Ref.—Notes, 26:-28:) V. 31, 32. When Pharaoh should enter the state of the dead, and see all those kings and nations who had gone before him, he would the more willingly submit to his doom. This is spoken according to the common sentiments of mankind, who are better satisfied to suffer with a multitude than alone; though it can be no comfort to those who have perished in their sins, to find multitudes as miserable as themselves. In short, they had caused their terror the land of the living; and the Lord was about to cause his terror to fall upon them. (Marg. Ref.) PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1–16. V. 26-28. Meshech and Tubal seem to mean the Scythians and northern nations; (Marg. Ref. q.-Note, 38:2.) who frequently made inroads into the southern and more fer-in tile countries of Asia, and caused great terror and devastation, but generally perished with as dreadful a slaughter. They too had "caused terror in the land of the living;" yet they would not lie with the mighty, or be numbered with How weak and helpless, in respect of the the Assyrian or Egyptian monarchies. But Almighty, are the most powerful and terrible they went down to death, with their weapons of mankind! Whilst they ravage on every side, of war in their hands, as men who fought des- devour their own species, and trouble the naperately and scorned to yield: and they were tions of the earth, to gratify their mad ambiburied with their swords laid under their heads, tion, or revenge, or rapacity; he spreads his net as denoting their characters and exploits; over them, entangles them, and disposes of whilst their iniquities or depredations had them at his pleasure; and their former greatbrought their bones to the grave, and perhaps ness only renders them a richer prey, or a more afterwards exposed them to insults from those tremendous spectacle, to those around them! whom they had injured. Among persons of Thus "the lamp of the wicked is put out;" the this description would Pharaoh be broken, and pomp and splendor of kings and kingdoms are slain, and perish. Some give another sense to totally extinguished; their "sun goeth down at the passage. "They shall not lie among those noon;" and their boasted luminaries set to rise 'heathen heroes who died a natural death, and no more!-Terror and amazement must needs 'are laid in their graves with pomp and mag- seize the bearts of those, against whom the 'nificence:... who were carried to their graves Lord brandishes his sword; and they must in state; and had their achievements, and tremble every moment for their lives and souls. other ensigns of honor, affixed to their monu--It is very mortifying to the pride of man, to VOL. IV. 72 [569 CHAP. XXXIII. I upon him: but he that taketh warning shall The prophet is instructed in the duties of his office, as the watch. deliver his soul. formed of the destruction of Jerusalem; and ordered to expose the vain hopes and crimes of those who remained in the land, 21-29; and shewn the hypocrisy and covetousness of those, who came to hear the word of God from him, 30-33. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword conie, and take any person from among them, ' he AGAIN the word of the LORD came is taken away in his way by and blood a 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman; 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then † whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be a 17,30. 3:11,27. ♦ Heb. A land when I bring a b 6:3. 118. 14:17,21. 21:9-16. will at the watchman's hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, "O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; " if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, Pif thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not x 9:19-21. 2 Kings 6:10. s. 56:10,11, Acts 2:37-41. Heb. 11:7. Prov. 14:32. i 8,9. 18.20,24. k 3:17-21. Cant. 3:3, 5:7. Is. 4:1,2. m 14. 18:4,10—13,18,20. Gen. 2:17, 3:4. Prov. 11:21. Ec. 8:13. Is. 3:11. n 13:9,10. Jer. 8:11,12. 14:13 o 6. Acts 20:26,27. in the extreme.-Alas! what are men doing! How are they blinded and deceived by Satan! What are those objects, which they thus pur consider, what numbers, who once "caused V. 17-32. through scenes of borror, and seas of blood, and multiplied impieties and iniquities? "Surely inan walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain;” whether he pursue riches, renown, power, or pleasure. Soon must he be torn from all his possessions and gratifications, to join the multitude of the dead; and to "receive the things done in the body, whether they be good or evil:" and it will be a wretched consolation to those who perish in their sins, that vast multitudes have gone, and are going, the same broad road to destruction; since as they were mutual tempters here, so they will be mutual tormentors hereafter. (Note and P. O. Luke 16:27-31.) As “the hour cometh when all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of Christ, and shall come It is inconceivable how large a proportion forth, they that have done good to the resurof the human race has been prematurely hur-rection of life, and they that have done evil to ried into the grave, by the diabolical trade of the resurrection of damnation;" we, who have war. As if destruction were the most honor-known something of "the terror of the Lord," able and pleasing employment, which "the would fain persuade men, to hearken to the strong among the mighty" of the earth, could voice of the great and terrible Judge, now that devise for themselves and their numerous re- he speaks to them as a compassionate and mertainers! The subject is in every view gloomy ciful Savior; and to "seek first the kingdom of and horrid: but if we recollect, that when the God, and his righteousness." Then, "being body goes down to the dust, the soul enters into pardoned, justified, and sanctified, in the name an unchangeable state of happiness or misery; of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," that all who die "uncircumcised in heart," un-they need not fear death and the grave. For converted and unbelieving, go down into the Jesus has engaged to receive the departing midst of hell, to bear for ever their shame and spirits of his people to his glorious presence: punishment; and that immense multitudes die their bodies will feel no pain in the silent tomb: in the very heat of their most malignant and and he will at length raise them also, incorruptdiabolical passions, or in the midst of forbidden ible and glorious, that they may be for ever with gratifications, with their unrepented iniquities him. Let us then comfort one another in this upon their souls, and unmortified lusts domi- mournful and dying world with these words; neering in their hearts; many of them also an- and let us "be stedfast, unmoveable, always swerable for the crimes and destruction of their abounding in the work of the Lord, as know fellow sinners; the view becomes tremendousing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord." 570] say 12 Therefore, thou son of man, unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: bas for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby, in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, dhe shall die for it. 14 Again, when I z 2. a 18. 3:20,21. 18:24-26. b 19. 18:21,27-32. 1 Kings 8: say unto the wicked, e 3.20. 18:24. Luke 18:9-14. 'us, and there is no sincerity in these proposals: V. 11. "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord Gop; and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" (Note, 18:23.) This had been proposed in the form of a question: but God here confirms it as an immutable truth, by a solemn oath, that he had none; but was much more pleased, that sinners should repent and live. (Note, Heb. 6:16-20, vv. 16-18.)-The verse may be rendered, "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I am not delighted with the death of a sinner; but I am delighted, if the wicked turn from his way and lives." (Marg. Ref.—Notes, 18:28-32.) CHAP. XXXIII. V. 2—9. The prophet had before been thus shewn the important responsibility of his prophetical office: but after the most awful part of his predictions were accomplished, he was again reminded of it, and ordered to declare it to the people; that they might be taught to approve his faithfulness, and that he might be warned to persevere in it. (Note, 3:17-19.)-They were called "the children of his people," as if God would disown them because of their wickedness. The instruction is the same as before; but the illustrations are more full and explicit. The Lord himself had "sent the sword upon the land;" and the recent transactions in Judah, where very great numbers had been taken away in their sins, notwithstanding all the|| warnings given them, were suited to render these topics more affecting.-The repetition of|| this and similar warnings, after Jerusalem was taken and destroyed, shewed, that they did not refer merely to the circumstances of those times, but were applicable to individuals in every place, especially to such as are favored with the oracles of God.-'He sheweth that V. 12, 13. The same truths are here again 'the people ought to have continually gov-stated, which have before been considered, but 'ernors and teachers, who may have a care with some variation of expression: (Notes, 3: 'over them, and to warn them ever of the dan- 20,21. 18:21,22,24-27.) especially it is here 'gers which are at hand.... The wicked shall added, that if the righteous man "trust to his 'not escape punishment, though the watchman own righteousness," and to the promises of life 'be negligent: but if the watchman blow the made to the righteous, and "commit iniquity; 'trumpet, and then he will not obey, he shall all his righteousness" will not profit him. 'deserve double punishment.' (Marg. and Men, who think themselves righteous, and Marg. Ref.--Notes, 18:3,4,10-13. Is. 56:9-12. are so accounted by others, but who are Acts 18:1-6, v. 6. 20:25–28. Heb. 13:17.) not truly humble and spiritual, will, in one way or other, "trust to their own righteousness. Some will so confide in their own supposed good works, as to neglect or despise the salvation of the gospel: and yet, while they trust to their own righteousness to justify thein, the iniquities which they commit will most certainly condemn them. Others think, that as they are clear in their views, bold in their profession of the gospel, zealous for its doctrines, and do much to promote them; it would be un belief to doubt of their being true Christians, though they indulge some darling sins in secret, or grasp at unlawful advantages, or in one way or other "set their affection on" earthly objects, and are "carnally minded." Thus they count themselves righteous persons, favorites of heaven, and interested in the prom V. 10. if, according to the prophecies, God 'have determined to reckon with us for our 'sins, and to bring judgment upon us, to 'what purpose shall our conversion be? and 'how shall we live though we do amend?' Bp. Hall. Thus the wicked when they hear God's judgments for their sins, despair of his mer'cies, and murmur.'-The impenitent Jews seem to have charged inconsistency and contradiction upon the prophet's messages: for whilst he warned them to repent, and assured the penitent of forgiveness; he also predicted that the people "would pine away in their transgressions." (Note, 24:19-24, v. 23.) 'Now,' said they, If this be the case, how should we live? And of what use are your exhortations and promises? You only tantalize [571 E h • Thou shalt surely die; 'if he turn from his 17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but, as for them, their way is not equal. 18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. 19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. 20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, PI will judge you every one after his ways. [Practical Observations.] r 21 T And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. 8 e 8. 3:18. Is. 3:11. Jer. 18:7,8. Luke 13:3-5. fls. 55:7. Jer. 4:1. Hos. 14:1. Heb. judgment and justice. 18:21,27. Mic. 6:8. Matt. 9: 13. g 18:7,12,16, Ex. 22:26,27. h Ex. 22:1-4. Lev. 6:2-5. i 20:11,13,21. 1:6. k 18:27,28. Rom. 2:7. Rev. 22:12-14. 22 Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mɔuth, until he came to me in the morning: "and my mouth was opened and I was no more dumb. 23 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 24 Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance. 25 Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes towards your idols, and shed blood; and shall ye possess the land? 26 Ye stand upon your sword, ye e work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbor's wife; and shall ye possess the land? f Ref. h.--Notes, Lev. 6:2–7. Num. 5:7,8. Luke 3:10--14. 19:1--10, v. 8.) 32. V. 17-20. Marg. Ref.--Notes, 18:2-4,25 ises of life: and yet they commit iniquity, and practically fall into the detestable aphorism, "Let us sin on, that grace may abound."-Others, having for a time made a plausible profession of religion, conclude themselves cer- V. 21, 22. According to the date here given, tainly converted; and then venture into sin this escaped Jew did not come to the prophet, upon the supposition that God will not damn with the intelligence of Jerusalem's being them for it; and quiet their consciences by¦¦ smitten, till almost eighteen months after that abusing the doctrine of final perseverance, and event: and some learned men have supposed, the examples of some believers, of whom it is that there is a mistake in the date, or that it recorded in scripture, that they fell into the ought to be calculated differently. (Notes, 1:1 same sins, and yet repented and were saved.--3, v. 2. 2 Kings 25:1-5, v. 3.) No doubt the It is doubtless possible for a true believer to be prophet had heard of that event long before caught in any of these nets: the only question eighteen months had elapsed: but perhaps he is, whether he will or will not eventually be had not received that full and authentic acdelivered, though by sharp rebukes and cor- count of it from an eye-witness, which he was rections, and thus return to God with weeping taught to expect, before he delivered any furand supplication. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Luke ther messages from God to his people. (Note, 22:32-34, v. 32. Heb. 10:35–39. 1 Pet. 1:2 24:25-27.) For above three years he had been -5.) dumb, in this respect at least: (Note, 3:22—27.) perhaps he had been able to converse with the Jews, concerning the predictions which he had formerly delivered to them; and perhaps he spake to them, or delivered in writing, the prophecies which he uttered concerning other nations: but he had received no further rev elation from God respecting their affairs; in this sense he had been dumb. But now his mouth was opened, and he prophesied to them as aforetime. (Marg. Ref.)-The hand of, &c. V. 14-16. (Marg. Ref. Notes, 18:5-9,21 -23,26,27. Mic. 7:18-20. Rom. 2:7-11. 2 Cor. 5:9-12.) The clause "give again that he had robbed," is here added.--The sin is not for'given, unless what is taken away be restored.' Augustin, quoted by Lowth.--'He condemneth all them of hypocrisy, who pretend to forsake wickedness, and yet declare not themselves 'such by their fruits; that is, in obeying God's 'commandments, and by a godly life.' (Marg. 28 For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease, and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. 29 Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate, because of all their abominations which they have committed. 30 ¶ Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls, and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. k 6:14. 12:20. 15:8. 2 Chr. 36: | o 6:11. 8:6-15 22:2--15,25- Heb. desolation and desolation. 17:24. 24:21. 30:6,7. m 6:2,3,6. 36:4. n b:7. 7:27. 23:49. 25:11. Ex. 14:18. Ps. 9:16. 83:17,18. 31. 36:17,18. 2 Kings 17:9-18. p Jer. 11:18,19. 18:18. q ls. 29:13. 58:2. Jer. 23:35. 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song "of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. 33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. Heb. according to the com- Or, my people sit before thee. Is. 28:13. Jer. 23:33-38. Luke 16:14. t Matt. 6:24. 13:22, 19:22. Luke 12:15-21. Eph. 5:5. 1 Tim. 6:9,10. Heb. a song of loves. u Mark 4:16,17. 6:20. John 5: 35. X 1 Sam. 3:19,20. Jer. 28:9. 42:1-6,20. Matt. 15:8. 22:16,||| Heb. make loves, or jests. y 2:5. 2 Kings 5:8. Luke 20:11. 17. (22) 'I felt a sensible impulse of the propheti'cal spirit. (1:3.) Lowth. reation to animadvert on him, or to ridicule him. (Notes, Is. 28:9-15,21,22.) But be V. 24-29. A small remnant continued in would perhaps never have known it, had not the land under Gedaliah, after the desolations the Lord seen it good, that he should reprove of Jerusalem; (Notes, 2 Kings 25:22-26. Jer. 40: them in his name for so doing.-They invited 4-16. 41:43:) and, notwithstanding all their each other to "come and hear the word of the crimes and miseries, they flattered themselves LORD" from the prophet; and they came and that they were entitled to the inheritance of sat before him with the same apparent serithe whole land. The promise of it had been ousness, as the most pious people could do: made to Abraham, when he had no children; they gave him a patient, and apparently an yet his posterity had inherited it: (Notes, Is. 51: attentive hearing; yea, they professed "much 1-3. Matt. 3:7-10. John 8:30-36, v. 33.) but love" to him and his doctrine: but their hearts the remaining Jews were many; and they sup- were possessed by covetousness; their leading posed themselves on that account more likely affections and desires went forth after riches; to keep possession of it. They, however, over- they loved their money more than either God looked the contrariety of their character to or man, the prophet, his word, or their own that of Abraham: they forgat that they had souls: and therefore they would not part with forfeited the title by their crimes; and that one gainful sin, for all that he could say; but both former and later prophets had predicted would rather cavil at it or ridicule it. Marg. these desolations of the land. Thus they pre- and Marg. Ref.q-t.-Notes, 14:1-5. 20:1-3. sumptuously expected to prosper in sin, and to Is. 2:3-5. 58:2-4. Matt. 19:16–22, vv. 16,22.) be enriched by the ruin of their brethren. (Note, Indeed his voice and manner, his graceful elo26:2.) But the Lord sent them a message, cution, cogent arguments, or apt illustrations, which was widely different from their expec- rendered him to them "as a very lovely song tations. In defiance of his law, and in conform- of one, that had a pleasant voice and could play ity to the abominable superstitions of the na- well on an instrument;" in which the sound is tions, they ate with the blood, and pertina-commonly more attended to, than the meaning ciously worshipped idols; they committed murder and made their sword the arbiter of their disputes, violently defending themselves in injustice; they were guilty of adultery and every abomination: and was it fitting, that they should possess the land, from which their brethren had been driven for similar crimes? On the contrary, the Lord solemnly sware by himself, that they should all be destroyed by one or other of his judgments, wherever they took refuge; and that the land should be utterly desolated, and be deprived of all that pomp and strength in which they gloried.-This was fulfilled, after the murder of Gedaliah, when the survivors fled into Egypt, where they miserably perished; and in the total desolation of the whole land. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. Notes, 5:1-4. 6:12-14. 7:23,24. 14:13-21. Jer. 15:1-4. 41:44:) of the words sung: but they did not receive his words as a message from God, with a reverential and obedient faith; as it appeared from their subsequent conduct. (Marg. and Marg. Ref.u.)—But when the preceding prophecies, concerning the total desolations of the land, were accomplished, as they certainly would be; they would know, that he was not merely "a sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal;" but that a prophet of God had been among them, whose words would be verified in the ruin of all that despised or disobeyed them. (Marg. Ref. x, y.-Note, Luke 10:1-12, vv. 9 -12.-"They come to hear thee for their en'tertainment, not for their edification, as many 'go to hear fumed and eloquent preachers. St. Augustine tells us, that he himself was such 'an auditor of St. Ambrose, before he was con'verted.... 'I heard him diligently when he disV. 30-33. While the prophet was affection-coursed in the congregation; but not with ately seeking the good of his people; they were that application of mind which I ought to continually talking of him, or against him,have done: but I came rather out of curiosiwherever they met together. (Marg-Notes,ty, to know whether his eloquence was anJer. 11:18-23. 15:10. 18:18. 20:10-13.) He ''swerable to that opinion the world had of was their constant topic, and it was their rec-him. I was very attentive to his style, and |
