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'of their divine appointment, in the numerous prophecies, which in these later days are ful'filled, and still under our own eyes continue to receive their completion.-The language of "the prophets, also, is remarkable for its magnificence. ... Each of the writers is distinguished 'for peculiar beautics: but their style in general may be characterized, as strong, animated, 'and impressive. ... Its ornaments are derived, not from accumulation of epithet, or labored 'harmony; but from the real grandeur of its images, and the majestic force of its expressions. ... It is varied with striking propriety, and enlivened with quick but easy transitions.... Its 'sudden bursts of eloquence, its earnest warmth, its affecting exhortations and appeals, af'ford very interesting proofs of that lively impression, and of that inspired conviction, under 'which the prophets wrote, and which enabled them, among a people not distinguished for 'genius, to surpass in every variety of composition, the most admired productions of pagan 'antiquity.... The greatest part of the prophetic book ... was written in some kind of measure 'or verse.' But, as the Hebrew has been a dead language for nearly two thousand 'years, we can have no power of ascertaining the pronunciation, or even the number of the 'syllables. The quantity and rhythm of its verse must therefore have entirely perished, and 'there can be no mode of discovering the rules, by which they were governed." Grey's Key. -Much has been written, concerning the different degrees of inspiration, with which the prophets were endowed: but, I own, I never found satisfaction in any discussion of this subject. Certainly the Scriptures intimate some disparity between Moses and other prophets, and several ways in which divine communications were made: and let others determine what credit is due to the rabbinical determinations in this respect. It seems enough to observe, that the credit of scriptural prophecy does not depend on such distinctions, but on internal evidence; and on the highest authority, that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Probably none, except prophets, ever had an idea, how the illapses of the Holy Spirit come into their minds, and beyond doubt evinced their divine origin. All the prophets were so superintended, both as to the words used by them, and the messages delivered, as to be preserved from error, and to give us the very word of God: and this is enough for our satisfaction. Many things, however, relative to this subject, will come in our way, and an opinion will be given on them, as we proceed.—It should be peculiarly observed, by every diligent student of the sacred Scriptures, how constantly and confidently the preceding history is assumed for granted, and as certainly known and believed by the people, in every part of the prophetical writings; and in what numerous instances, they are quoted as "the Scriptures, which cannot be broken," and "the oracles of God," in the New Testament. It would carry me much farther, than this introductory dissertation will admit, to enter into particulars: let the reader consult the marginal references, and doubt, if he can, whether the historical books, preceding the time of each prophet, were not extant and deemed authentic, when he wrote; and whether Christ and his apostles did not consider the whole as "the word of God."-The distinction between the greater and the minor prophets cannot well be passed over in silence, in this place: but it means no more than, that the prophecies transmitted to us of some of them, are more than those of others; but not at all of higher authority.

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To encourage men in searches of this kind,' (that is, of the prophetical writings,) 'they will 'find such an harmony and correspondence between the figures and emblems, whereby the prophets point out things to come, that the careful comparing of them with each other will afford the best clue to guide the attentive reader, through the most difficult parts of their 'writings; and is likewise a most surprising proof, that they all wrote by the direction of one and the self same Spirit. As it is highly reasonable to believe, that some parts of the Old Testament prophecies reach to the end of the world; so it is reasonable to expect, that in 'every age Providence should open some new scene, which will give further insight into the 'meaning of these sacred writings. I confess I can by no means approve of the opinion of 'some learned men, who are for cramping the sense of the prophets, and confining thein 'within as narrow a compass as they can; and will needs maintain, that the prophets scarcely foresaw any thing, but what was to come to pass in or near their own time. ... I must own 'myself puzzled, to assign a reason why God should appoint a succession of prophets, to fore'tel what should come to pass within the compass of about three hundred years, (for within 'that time most of those prophets lived, whose writings make up this part of the scripture'canon which is called by that name,) and take no notice of any other occurrences which 'should happen in succeeding times: whereas to extend the prophetic views to the end of 'the world, seems much more agreeable to that description of God's prescience, which the holy writers give us, That "He declares the end from the beginning," and his wisdom "reaches from one end of the world to the other mightily, and sweetly does it order all "things.' So that even when the whole mystery of God's dispensations shall be finished, it 'will appear that nothing was contained in them, but what God hath formerly declared to 'his servants the prophets, as it is expressly affirmed, Rev. 10:7. For a further proof of this 'assertion, I desire it may be considered that the prophecies, which foretel the visibility and universality of Christ's church, accompanied with perfect peace, prosperity, and holi'ness, cannot, with any probability, be said to have yet received their accomplishment; as 'neither have those predictions, which foretel the flourishing state of the Jewish church and 'nation in the latter times: and to suppose those prophecies to have already received their 'utmost completion, is, in my judgment, to give too great an advantage to the Jews, and in 'effect to acknowledge, that they never were, nor will be, fulfilled in their natural and obvious 'sense... Whereas on the other side to assert, that many prophecies relating to the Messias, 'are already fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ; a truth which can be made out beyond all con'tradiction; and withal to maintain that several others concerning the same subject relate to 'his second coming, and their accomplishment shall usher in or accompany that, his glorious 'appearance: I say, the observing this distinction between the different times; wherein the 'several prophecies, relating to the coming of Christ shall be fulfilled, effectually answers all "the arguments by which the Jews support themselves in their incredulity. ... The ancient 'Jews, always acknowledged that the chief design of the prophets was to foretel the times of the Messias: and when Christ and his apostles explain ed the prophecies in a spiritual and

mystical sense, they interpreted them according to the received notions of the synagogue; and are never taxed, that we find, for misapplying particular texts, as if they did not belong 'to the times of the Messias. ... It does not appear, that this mystical way of applying the 'scripture-prophecies to the times of the Messias was even called in question; till the Jews 'came to engage in dispute with the Christians; and then, to avoid the force of their argu'ments, they found it necessary to reject the opinion of their ancestors.' Lowth.-These hints may prepare the reader for that mode of interpreting the prophetical writings, which is adopted in this publication, and may throw light on the subject.

The prophet Isaiah, on whose writings we first enter, is remarkable for the elegance and sublimity of his style and imagery; in which the best judges have decidedly given him the preference to the most adinired writers of antiquity. He is equally distinguished by the plain and copious manner, in which he speaks of Christ, and the times of the gospel: on this account he has been called, The fifth Evangelist.-The book opens with sharp rebukes of the people for their idolatry and iniquity, and denunciations of divine vengeance upon them; but intermixed with encouraging intimations of mercy, and predictions of Christ. Afterwards follow various prophecies of judgments about to be executed on several nations, as well as on Judah; through all of which the reader is led to expect future deliverances and glorious times to the church of God. Then there is inserted an account of Sennacherib's invasion, and of some particulars relating to Hezekiah, which end in a prediction of the Babylonish captivity. The prophet then copiously enlarges upon the deliverance of his people from that calamitor's state, in language peculiarly applicable to the spiritual redemption of Christ: at length he drops, in great measure, types and shadows, and speaks in the most emphatical language of the Savior's person, sufferings, and glory; and of those things which pertain to the promulgation of his gospel, and the setting up of his kingdom on earth; until he closes with descriptions, which lead the mind to consider the final felicity of the righteous, and the misery of the wicked in another world. We shall find the whole book replete with instruction; especially, we shall meet with the most decisive internal evidence of its divine original, and it will reflect light on every part of the sacred volume, on which all our hopes of happiness are founded.

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"Isaiah is certainly one of the most difficult of all the prophets, though perhaps few are sen'sible of it, but they that try to explain him. The profcundness of his thoughts, the loftiness of his expression, and the extent of his prophecy, have made the commentaries hitherto 'written upon him, fall short of a full explication of his book: and he that will undertake to 'fathom the depths of this prophecy, is in great danger of going out of his own. This proph'et seems to have been favored, with an entire view of the gospel-state, from the very birth 'of the Messias, to that glorious period, when "the kingdoms of the world shall becon e the 'kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ." ... In those parts of this exposition, where there 'is any mention made of the Jews being restored to their own land, upon their conversion, 'and some other particulars relating to that glorious state of the church in the latter times; 'let the reader not judge of what is said upon these obscure subjects, as so many positive as'sertions, but only as probable conjectures. For in these, and such like abstruse matters.... 'a modest man should not pretend to be "wise above that which is" plainly and expressly ""written." Lowth.

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One grand reason of the difficulty found in explaining the predictions of Isaial, (which the author likewise considers as much greater than exists in the writings of any other prophet,) is the total want of that internal chronology, and geography of prophecy, which is of so great use to the expositor in explaining the most abstruse parts of the predictions of Daniel, and the Revelation of the apostle John. Such a clue, or guide, is wholly wanting in the prophecies of Isaiah; and the times and scenes, to which the prophet calls our attention, can only be ascertained by the events which are foretold, in the most sublime and rapturous language.

CHAP. I.

The title, 1. God, by his prophet, charges Judah and Jerusalem

with base ingratitude and atrocious wickedness; and describes their sacrifices, calls them to repentance with promises of forgiveness, and warns them against obstinate rebellion, 10--20 He laments Zion's degeneracy and the iniquity of her princes; denounces severe vengeance; yet intimates a subsequent recovery of the nation to purity and prosperity, 21-31.

their deplorable condition, 2-9. He shews his abhorrence of

NOTES.

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not survive Hezekiah: yet even in that case, CHAP. I. V. 1. The name of this prophet, sig- he must have prophesied sixty years at least nifying The salvation of the LORD,' was very-In general, the reader must be referred to suitable to the subject, on which he so frequently and delightfully expatiated, and which has procured him the title of the evangelical prophet,' nay, of 'the fifth Evangelist.' Tradition reports that he was of noble birth; that his daughter was married to Manasseh; and that he was sawn asunder by the command of that idolatrous prince, to which the apostle is supposed to allude. (Note, Heb. 11:35-38.) It must, however, be allowed that these traditions are very uncertain; and some think he did

the notes, on the second book of Kings, from
the fifteenth to the twenty-first chapter, inclu-
sive; and to the second book of Chronicles, from
the twenty-sixth to the thirty-third chapter in-
clusive, for the state of Judah and Israel, dur
ing the term of years, in which Isaiah proph-
esied.-Many of his prophecies, indeed, relate
to other kingdoms; but always on account of
their connexion, one way or other, with the
chosen race.-"The two usual ways, whereby
'God communicated his will to he prophets,

e

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O||P the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they earth; for the LORD hath spoken, 'I have are gone away backward. nourished and brought up children, and & they have rebelled against me.

3 The "ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

4Ah sinful nation, a people *laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers, "children that are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked

d Deut. 4:26. 30:19. 32:1. Ps. 50: 4. Jer. 2:12. 6:19, 22:29. Ez. 36.4. Mic. 1:2. 6:1,2.

e Jer. 13:15. Am. 3:1. Mic. 3.8. Acts 4:20.

f 5:1,2. 46:3,4. Deut. 1:31. 4:7, 8. Jer. 31:9. Ez. 16:6-14. 20: 5,&c. Rom. 3:1,2. 9:4,5.

g 63:9,10. Deut. 9:22-24. Jer. 2:5-13. Mal. 1:6.

h Prov. 6.6. Jer. 8:7.

1 5:12. 27:11. 44:18. Deut. 32: 28,29. Ps. 94:8. Jer. 4:22. 9-3

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-6. 10:8,14. Matt. 13:13-15,
19. Kom. 1:28. 2 Pet. 3:5.

k 23. 10:6, 30:9. Gen. 13.13.
Acts 7:51,52. Rev. 18:5,
Heb. of heaviness.

57:3,4. Num. 32:14. Ps. 78:8.
Jer. 7:26. 16:11,12. Matt. 3.7.
23:33.

m Jer. 2:33. Ez. 16:33.

n Deut. 29:25. 31:16. Judg. 10:
10. Jer. 2:13,17,19.

o 3:8. 65:3. Deut. 32:19. Ps.
78:40. Jer. 7:19. 1 Cor. 10:22.

5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no soundness in it; but wounds, " and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

X

7 Your country is desolate, your cities

p 5:19,24. 12:6. 29:19. 30:11,12, | t Job 2:7,8. Luke 16:20,21.
15. 37:23. 41:14.16,20. Ps. 89:
18. Jer. 50: 29. 51:5.

Heb. alienated, or separated.
Ps. 58:3. Jer. 2 5,31. Rom. 8:
7. Col. 1:24.

q 9:21. Jer. 2:30. 5:3. 6:28-30.
Ez. 24:13. Heb. 12:5-8.

r 2 Chr. 28:22. Jer. 9.3. Rev.

16:8-11.

Heb. increase revolt.

8 23. Neh. 9:34. Jer 5:5,31.
Dan. 9.8-11. Zeph. 3:1-4.

u 2 Chr. 6:28,29. Ps. 77:2. Jer. 6:14. marg. 30:12. Neh. 3.19. A Job 5:18. Ps. 38:3-5. Jer. 6: 14. 8:21,22. 33:6. Hos. 5:12.13. Mal. 4:2. Matt. 9:12,13. Luke 10:34.

Or, oil.

y 5.5,6,9. 6:11. 24:10-12. Lev. 26:34. Deut. 28:51,52. 2 Chr. 28:5,16-21. Ps. 107:34,39. Jer. 6:8.

were visions and dreams; see Num. 12:6. In
'vision the inspired person was awake, but his
'external senses were bound up, and as it were
laid asleep in a trance. (Num. 24:16.)... It is
'called vision, not from any use of the corpo-
'real sight, but because of the clearness and
'evidence of the things revealed.
It was
'sometimes accompanied with external repre-
'sentations.' Lowth. (6:1. Ez. 40:2. Rev. 21:10.)
-This chapter may be considered as an intro-
ductory address prefixed to the subsequent
prophecies; and the title may belong to the
book in general, or to the chapter in particular.
It is thought by some, that this was not Isa-
iah's first vision, though placed as an intro-themselves from him. (Marg.)
duction to the rest.-"The prophecy contained
in this first chapter stands single and uncon-
'nected, making an entire piece of itself. It
'contains a severe remonstrance against the
'corruptions prevailing among the Jews at
'that time; powerful exhortations to repent-
'ance; grievous threatenings to the impeni-
tent; and gracious promises of better times,
'when the nation shall have been reformed by
'the just judgments of God.' Bp. Lowth.

though in the highest degree equitable and
'just. Bochart in Bp. Lowth.

V. 4. They were not only wicked as their fathers, but totally corrupt, and by their evil examples corrupted others.'-Every generation of Israel degenerated, more and more from the faith and piety of their ancestors: they were not only corrupted in their early years, but corrupters and tempters of others; a circumstance extremely affecting to those, who mark the progress of impiety. In short, almost the whole nation were estranged from the Lord, and had turned their backs on him and on his holy service; and had alienated

V. 2. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Deut. 4:26-28. 32:1. Ps. 49:1-4. 50:1-3.) The Lord, in this as in many other places, with peculiar majesty and sublimity, appeals to the whole creation, in the controversy between him and his people. He had brought them up with all the tenderness and attention of a parent, till they had arrived at full maturity; but they had ungratefully rebelled against him, and apostatized to worthless idols.-The word, rendered "brought up," generally means exalted: God had greatly exalted Israel, which exceedingly aggravated the guilt of their rebellion. (Notes, Ex. 19:4-6. Deut. 4:6-8. 32:8-15. Ez. 16:922 Acts 13:16—19.)

V. 5, 6. The wickedness of the people was become so incorrigible, that it would answer no purpose to inflict any further chastisement, seeing they would "revolt more and more:' and what did it avail to throw away medicines on the dying patient, when they only exasperated his disease? It might therefore be proper to let them alone, till ripe for utter destruction. (Votes, Jer. 5:3—6. 6:27-30. Matt. 15:12 -14.)-Or the sentence may mean, that they were so covered with the wounds and bruises of their former smitings, that it might be inquired, where another stroke could be inflicted: or, why they would persist in those crimes, which ensured further punishment, when they were already in so miserable a situation.-The following metaphorical description, taken from the desperately diseased or wounded condition of the body, may relate either to the corrupt state of the Jews in respect of religion; or to their calamities. In the former sense, even the princes, and prophets, or priests, (the head and the heart of the body politic and ecclesiastical,) were altogether diseased, and faint as at the approach of death; religion and jusV. 3. (Votes, Prov. 6:6-11. Jer. 8:4-7.) The tice were expiring; idolatry, impiety, bypocrimost stupid of the domestic animals are obsy, and every kind of iniquity, were become servant of the hand by which, and the place almost universal; the disease had been so long where, they are fed, though the owner seeks increasing, and magistrates and ministers bad only his own interest in his care of them: but so neglected the proper means of checking its the highly favored people of God did not know progress, that the whole body was, as it were, or understand their immense obligations, nor ulcerated, putrefying, and tending to one genconsider their own true interest, which could eral mortification. (Notes, Jer. 8:21,22. 30:12 only be secured by cleaving to him.-"The Is--18. Ez. 34:2-6. Matt. 9:10-13.)-The pas'raelites, chosen by the mere favor of God, 'adopted as sons, promoted to the highest dignity; yet acknowledged not their Lord and their God, but despised his commandments;

sage may be accommodated as an illustration of the total depravity of human nature, but ought by no means to be adduced as a proof of the doctrine; which it cannot be, except as

a

are burned with fire: your land strangers in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of devour it in your presence, and it is deso-the-goats. late, as overthrown by strangers.

e

c

8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, das a besieged city. 9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah:

k

11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not

z 9.5. 34:9. Jer. 2:15.

a 5:17. Deut. 28:33,43,48-52. Lam. 5:2. Ez. 30:12. Hos. 7: 9.8:7.

Heb. the overthrow of strangers.

b 4:4. 10:32. 37:22. 62:11. Ps. 9:14. Lam. 2:1. Zech. 2:10. 9: 9. John 12:15.

c Job 27:18. Lam. 2:6.

d £:8. 10:32. Jer. 4:17. Luke 19:43,44.

e Lam. 2:22. Hab. 3:2. Rom. 9:29.

14:22. Joel 2:32. Zech. 13:8,9.
Matt. 7:14. Rom. 9:27. 11:4-
6.

g Gen. 18:26,32. 19:24. Deut 29:
23. Lam. 4:6. Am. 4:11. Zeph.
2:9. Luke 17:29,50. 2 Pet. 2:6.
h 1 Kings 22:19-23. Am. 3:1,

8. Mic. 3:8-12.

i Gen. 13:13. Deut. 32:32. Jer.
9:26. 23:14. Ez. 16:46-48.
Am. 9:7. Rev. 11:8.

1 Sam. 15:22. Ps. 50.8,9. 51:
16,17. Prov. 15:8. 21:27. Jer.

6:20. 7:21. Am. 5:21,22. Mic.
6:7. Matt. 9:13.

f 6:13. 10:22. 17:6. 24:13. 37:4,
31,32. 1 Kings 19:18. Ez. 6:8.
the depraved state of Judah was a fact, which
can on no other principles be accounted for.

m

12 When 'ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

13 Bring no more "vain oblations: incense is an abomination unto me: the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with: it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts 'my soul hateth: they are a trouble un'o me; 1 am weary to bear them.

15 And, when ye spread forth your hands, "I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye "make many prayers I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

+ Heb. great he-goats.

1 58:1,2. Ex. 23:17. 34:23.
Deut. 16:16. Ec. 5:1. Matt.
23.5.

Heb. be seen.

m Ps. 40.6. Mic. 6:8.

n Ez. 20:39. Mal. 1:10. Matt.
15:9.

o 66:3. Prov. 21:27.

p Lev. 23: Num. 28: 29: Deut.
16: Lam. 2:6. Joel 1:14. 2:15.
q 1 Cor. 11:17. Phil. 1:15.
Or, grief. Ps. 78:40. Eph. 4:
30.

r 61:8. Am. 5:21.

8 43:24. Am. 2:13. Zech. 11:8
Mal. 2:17.

t1 Kings 8:22,54. Ezra 9:5.
Job 27:8,9 Ps. 66:18. 134:2.
Prov. 1:28. Jer. 14:12. Ez. 8.
17,18. Mic. 3:4. Zech. 7:13.
Luke 13:25-28. 1 Tim. 2:8.
u 58:7. Ps. 55:1.

Heb. multiply prayer. Matt

6:7. 23:14.

x 59:2,3. Jer. 7:8-10. Mic. 3 9-11.

THeb. bloods.

A very small remnant. (9) ‘A type of those 'few converts among the Jews, who, embrac'ing the gospel, should escape both the tem'poral and eternal judgments, which came upon the rest of that nation, for rejecting 'Christ, and his messengers. This remnant 'are called the Ecopevo in the New Testament 'Luke 13:23. Acts 2:47. Lowth. (Note, Rom 11:1-6.)

V. 7-9. The prosperous state of Judah, during the reigns of Uzziah and Jotham, does not accord to the description here given: and therefore commentators have generally dated this chapter in the beginning of the reign of Ahaz: (Notes, 7:1-3. 2 Kings 16:5–9. 2 Chr. 28:5-8.) though it has been thought, that it might be written in the close of Jotham's V. 10-15. From the mention of Sodom reign. (2 Kings 15:37.)-The enemy so deso- and Gomorrah, the prophet took occasion, lated the laud, that Jerusalem alone was pro- with a holy indignation, to address the rulers tected from the ravages: and that city was of Judah, under the title of "the rulers of Sodshut up, impoverished, and left alone; so that om," and the citizens of Jerusalem, as “the it resembled a hut erected to accommodate inhabitants of Gomorrah." Many of them the gardeners, who during a few weeks watch- still attended to the ritual observances, in ed their cucumbers and melons from being de- their sacrifices, and solemnities; but their nustroyed by the jackals, or foxes, or stolen dur-merous oblations, though such as the law reing the night. Zion, with her children or in- quired, were vain, and their very incense an habitants, thus cut off from communication abomination: nay, the Lord was not only weawith the neighboring country, resembled a ry of their solemn feasts, and hated thein; but besieged city, or one taken by siege, as some he would pay no regard to their multiplied read it. The original will indeed bear either prayers, though offered with great apparent sense, without altering the text: but in gener- devotion. And the reason was evident; beal, whilst any instructive sense can be made cause they were hypocrites: they neither reof the Hebrew text, as it now stands, it behoves garded the typical intention of the sacrifices us to be very cautious how we sanction those, and ceremonies, nor used them as acts of holy who alter, without good authority, whatever worship, and as a means of sanctification: but does not accord with their views, and thus in proudly relied on the form as a meritorious fact give us their own opinions, instead of the service: and wickedly used their pretence of "word of God." But few passages will be left, devotion, either as a cloke of atrocious murwhich need alteration, if we adhere to this ders and oppressions, or as a compensation rule: and perhaps it will be better to consider for them. Their hands were full of bloodthem as trials of our modesty; than by conjec-guiltiness, of which they did not repent, and ture, or on dubious authority, to devise new from which they did not desist. (Notes, 66:3, meanings and sentences, and add them to the 4. 2 Sam. 15:7-11. Ps. 50:7-21. Prov. 15:8,9. word of God. (Note, Prov. 30:5,6.)-The LORD 21:27. Jer. 6:18-20. 7:8-11. Am. 5:21-24. of hosts, the God of armies, had a small rem- Matt. 23:14.)-"The solemn meeting," or the nant of pious servants at Jerusalem, and for day of restraint. Certain holy days, ordained their sakes he preserved the nation: otherwise by the law, were distinguished by a particular as their crimes had equalled, so their punish-charge, that "no servile work should be done ment would have resembled, that of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Notes, Deut. 29:19-25. Lam. 4:6. Ez. 16:44-61. Rev. 11:7-12, v. 8.)

therein." (Lev. 23:36. Num. 29:35. Deut. 16: 8.) This circumstance clearly explains the 'reason of the name, the restraint, or the day of

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restraint, given to those days.' Bp. Lowth.The great day of atonement seems especially meant. (Lev. 9:)-Although God command'ed these sacrifices for a time, as aids and ex'ercises of their faith: yet, because the people 'had not faith and repentance, God detested 'them.'

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S

24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty one of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

25 And I will turn my hand upon

h 48:2. Neh. 11:1,18. Ps. 46:4. | 3:1-3,11. Acts 4:5-11.
o Prov. 29: 24.
48: 1,8. Hos. 11:12. Zech. 8:3.
Matt. 21:13.
Heb. 12:22.
Mark 11:17. Luke 19.46.

i Jer. 2:20,21. 3:1. Lam. 1:8,9.
Ez. 16: 22: 23: Luke 13:34.

Rev. 11:2,8.

k 5:7. 2 Sam. 8:15. 2 Chr. 19.9.
Ez. 22:3-7. Mic. 3:2,3. Zeph.
3:1-3. Acts 7:52.

1 Jer. 6:28-30. Lam. 4:1,2.
Ez. 22.18-22. Hos. 6:4.
m Hos. 4:13. 2 Cor. 2:17.

n 3:14. 2 Chr. 24:17-21. 36:14.
Jer. 5.5. Ez. 22:6-12. Dan.
9.5.6. Hos. 7:3-5. 9:15. Mic.

p 33.15. Ex. 23 8. Deut. 16:19 Prov. 17:23. Jer. 22-17. Ez. 22:12. Hos. 4:18. Mic. 7.3.

q 10:1.2. Jer. 5:28,29. Zech. 7: 10. Mal. 3.5. Luke 18:2-5.

r 30:29. 49:26. 60:16. Jer. 50.34. Rev. 18:8.

s Deut. 28:63. 32:43. Prov. 1:25, 26. Fz. 5:13. 16:42. 21:17. Heb. 10:13.

t Zech. 13:7-9. Rev. 3.19.

Ez. 18:28-32. Am. 5:10-17. Mic. 6:9-15.) V. 21-24. In the time of David, and in the former part of Solomon's reign, Jerusalem was indeed a holy city, a proper type of the true church, the faithful spouse of Christ: but, notwithstanding all her distinguished advantages, this once virtuous matron was become an V. 16-20. This exhortation to the degen- infamous harlot, to the astonishment and reerate Jews implies, though it does not express- gret of all the true servants of JEHOVAH; and, ly mention, the mercy and grace of God instead of wholly adhering to his worship, she through the promised Messiah; by which they was most grievously defiled with idolatry, and might be enabled to do the duties here insist- was also a receptacle of murderers and robed on, and also be accepted in doing them. bers. Nay, the apparent religion which reAttending to these most reasonable exhorta-mained was hypocritical; dross and not siltions, their guilt, though the most atrocious ver; or at best wine mixed with water, by which could be imagined, would be fully par- which it had lost its strength and flavor. doned, and their national prosperity restored:|| (Notes, Jer. 6:27—30. 9:7. Lam. 4:1,2. Ez. 22:18 otherwise their ruin was inevitable.-The-22. Mul. 3:1-4.) Therefore "the LORD of words ren lered "relieve the oppressed," are translated by some learned men "amend that which is corrupted:" but perhaps they mean, "make happy such as are bitter of soul."-"The 'word, which is translated "reason together," 'signifies properly, for two contending parties to argue the case together; but here it seems 'to mean the effect or issue of such a debate, 'viz. the accommodating their differences. So "God, upon the repentance and reformation of the people, engages to pardon all that is past, and look upon them with the same grace and 'favor as if they never had offended: for by "their "sins being made white as snow" is 'meant, the sinners themselves being thor'oughly purged from guilt.' Lowth. (Notes, Ps. 51:1,2. Ez. 36:25-27. Zech. 13:1. 1 Cor. 6:9-in 11. Rev. 1:4-6, v. 5. 7:13—17, v. 14.) It is plain, from this and other similar passages, that legal sacrifices could not atone even for external national crimes, where public refor- Mixed with water. (22) 'It is remarkable, that mation was generally neglected. This kind 'whereas the Greeks and Latins by mixed of reasoning by the second table, the scrip- 'wine, always understood wine diluted and lowtures use in many places against the hypo-ered by water; the Hebrews on the contrary, 'crites, who pretend most holiness and religion 'generally mean by it wine made stronger and in word; but when the charity and love to- more inebriating, by the addition of higher 'wards their brethren should appear, they de- and more powerful ingredients. ... The east'clare that they have neither faitli nor religion.' 'ern people to this day deal in artificial liquors (Marg. Ref. Notes, 58:5-12. Jer. 7:5-11. of prodigious strength, the use of wine being

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hosts, the mighty One" who had so often delivered Israel, with most tremendous emphasis declared, "that he would ease him of his adversaries, and avenge him of his enemies." The expressions are taken from the uneasiness which men feel, when provoked to anger by multiplied insults, and the relief and pleasure which revenge seems to afford them. All that is discomposing and the effect of sinful passions, must be removed from our conception of the divine conduct, as thus delineated: but such language strongly marks God's abhorrence of sin, and his love of justice. (Notes, Ez. 5:13. 16:35-43.) He has no pleasure in the sufferings of wicked men: but, as Governor of the universe, he greatly delights

honoring his own law, and displaying his own righteous and holy character; and he will therefore avenge himself on all incorrigible transgressors.

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