_Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?_ Ver. 1. _Thus saith the Lard._] The same he saith in effect here in this last chapter that he had done in the first, rejecting the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Ver. 2. _For all those things hath my hand made._] And could not I, then, have made myself a... [ Continue Reading ]
He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their a... [ Continue Reading ]
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not. Ver. 4. _I also will choose their delusions._] As they have had their wil... [ Continue Reading ]
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Ver. 5. _Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble, &c._] Here is a word of comfo... [ Continue Reading ]
A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. Ver. 6. _A voice of noise from the city._] This is a prophetic description of the last destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans. _a_ A voice from the temple.] Wherein... [ Continue Reading ]
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Ver. 7. _Before she travailed, she brought forth._] _Quum nondum parturiret peperit; _ understand it of Zion, or of the Church Christian, which receiveth her children, that is, converts, suddenly on a c... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? [or] shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Ver. 8. _Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?_] The birth of a man would... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut [the womb]? saith thy God. Ver. 9. _Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?_] _i.e., _ Shall I set upon a work and not go through with it? God began and finished his wo... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: Ver. 10. _Rejoice ye with Jerusalem._] As friends use to do with her that is newly made a mother. Luk 1:58 _ Rejoice for joy with her._] Out of the Church there is no solid j... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. Ver. 11. _That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations._] Zion is not only a fruitful mother, but a joyful nurse. God giveth he... [ Continue Reading ]
For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon [her] sides, and be dandled upon [her] knees. Ver. 12. _Behold, I will extend peace to her._] This and the following promises are... [ Continue Reading ]
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Ver. 13. _And as one whom his mother comforteth._] Her darling and dandling, especially when she perceiveth it to make a lip and to be displeased: mothers also are very kind to, and careful of, their c... [ Continue Reading ]
And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies. Ver. 14. _And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice._] _Videbitis, gaudebitis; _ you shall see th... [ Continue Reading ]
For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. Ver. 15. _For, behold, the Lord will come with fire._] With hell fire, say the Rabbis here; with the fire of the last day, say we, whereof his partic... [ Continue Reading ]
For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. Ver. 16. _For with fire._] Than which nothing is more formidable. _ And with his sword._] Which is no ordinary one. Isa 27:1... [ Continue Reading ]
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. Ver. 17. _In the gardens._] Where these idolaters had set up altars, offered sacrifices, and had... [ Continue Reading ]
For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. Ver. 18. For I know (or, I will punish) their works and their thoughts.] Or, Yea, their thoughts which they may think to be free. See Jeremiah 6:19 . _ It... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house o... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD. Ver. 21. _And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites._] For evangelical pastors and teachers, who have a distinct function and employment in the Church of the New Testament, as the priests and Levites had in t... [ Continue Reading ]
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. Ver. 22. _For as the new heavens._] So shall there be a true Church and a ministry for the good of my people to the world's end. It shall not be taken away,... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. Ver. 23. _And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another._] God shall be served with all diligence and delight. In the kingdom of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh._ Ver. 24. _And they shall go forth and look upon the carcases._] Rhetoricians tell us... [ Continue Reading ]