Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

during the captivity, they were greatly degraded, and brought very low; he affures them, that they shall then be raised to honour. "And I will raife them to honour, and they shall not be brought low. And his children fhall be as aforetime, and his congregation fhall be established before me;" They will be fuch as fear the LORD, and think on his name for their being as aforetime, denotes their extraordinary increase; and their being established, denotes their righteoufnefs.

In the latter member of the verfe, he again fpeaks of the punishment of the nations "And I will punish all those that oppress him.' And, as during the continuance of the fecond temple, they were in subjection, either to the Perfians, Greeks, or Romans, who had their officers there to govern; the Prophet therefore informs us that, at the time of their redemption, it will not be fo: verse 21ft. "And his prince fhall be of his own race, and his governor fhall proceed from the midst of him." Not as was Herod, &c. who were of the race of the Idumeans: neither will they be like them; who by their cruelty and wickedness were estranged from God: as mentioned in the latter member of the VOL II. T Verfe

verfe. "And I will draw him, that he ma

come near unto me; for who (is) he tha hath fet his heart to draw near unto me? fait

the LORD." Here God promifes to difpof the hearts of their kings to turn to him; a without his affiftance, none would be able to accomplish it: as the Pfalmift fays*, "Bleff ed (is the man whom) thou chooseft, and causeft to approach (unto thee.")

And as he had promised would be the ftate of their kings; fo he affures us, will be the ftate of the people verse 22d. "And ye fhall be my people, and I will be your God.' That is, he will circumcife their hearts; fo that they will all be inclined to serve him in truth and righteousness; and he will watch over them with paternal love and care.

The Prophet then proceeds to inform us, that immediately after that dreadful war, whereby God will take vengeance on the nations; the falvation of Ifrael will take place: as in ver. 23. 24. & Chap. xxxi. 1. "Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD, it goeth forth with fury, (even) an accumulating †

1. * Pfalm. Ixv. 5.

whirl

† Or, A fettling whirlwind. i. e.

It fhall exert a continued or accumulated force on the head

of the wicked.

[blocks in formation]

whirlwind; upon the head of the wicked fhall it fettle. The fierce anger of the LORD shall not turn back, until he hath wrought, and until he hath accomplished the purpose of his heart; in the latter days ye fhall difcern it. At that time, faith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Ifrael, and they shall be my people."

According to the explanation here given of this prophecy; it contains the following feven fundamental principles. First, the future redemption of the nation; as mentioned verfe 18th." Behold, I will reverse the captivity of Jacob's tents, and upon his dwelling places will I have compaffion;" &c, And which agrees with the third principle contained in the prophecies of Ifaiah.

Second, that at the future redemption, the ten tribes which were carried captive to Affyria &c, will again return; as in verse 3d, "And I will turn the captivity of my people, Ifrael and Judah." Again, verse 4th. “And thefe (are) the words which the LORD hath spoken concerning Ifrael, and concerning Judah." This agrees with the fourth principle of the prophecies of Isaiah.

Third, that God will take vengeance on

m

the nations, that have perfecuted and de ftroyed Ifrael; as mentioned ver. 11. & 16 "When I fhall make a full end of all the nations," &c. All they that devoured thee fhall be devoured," &c. And which wil take place immediately preceding the relemption; as may be perceived from the exlanation of ver. 23. &c. This agrees with he first principle of the prophecies of Ifai

ah.

Fourth, that at the time of the future redemption, a king of the lineage of David, and called by his name, will reign over them: as mentioned verfe 9th. "But they fhall ferve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raife up for them." Again, verse 21st. "And his prince shall be of his own race, and his governor fhall proceed from the midst of him." And which agrees with the tenth principle of the prophecies of Ifaiah.

Fifth, that the redemption is not to take place, till after they had been in captivity, a very long time; and suffered so much, as almost to defpair of ever being redeemed; as mentioned verses 10. & 12. "Therefore, fear thou not my fervant Jacob, faith the

LORD;

16.

the

LORD; and be thou not dismayed, O Ifrael; for behold, I will fave thee from afar. For thus faith the LORD, Thy bruise (is) defperate thy wound (is) grievous &c." And which agrees with the Jeventh principle of the prophecies of Ifaiah.

Sixth, that after their future redemption, they will not be engaged in any wars; nor experience any other troubles; nor will they go into captivity more: as mentioned verse 8th. "And ftrangers fhall no more make (thee) serve with it." And verse 10th, “And Jacob fhall return, and shall be at reft; he fhall also be wholly at ease, and (there) fhall (be) none (to) make (him) afraid." This agrees with the eleventh principle of the prophecies of Isaiah.

Seventh, that the visible symbol of the di vine prefence, and the spirit of prophecy, will then be restored to them; as may be perceived from the expreffion, "And I will be their God." And which agrees with the eighth principle of the Prophecies of lfaih.

Now, it is clear from all history, that one of those great and glorious promises vere ever accomplished: for they were not

fulfil

[ocr errors]
« VorigeDoorgaan »