O heavens, O earth — You lifeless and senseless creatures, which he calls upon partly to accuse the stupidity of Israel, that were more dull of hearing than these: and partly as witnesses of the truth of his sayings and the justice of God's proceedings against them.... [ Continue Reading ]
As the rain — Look what effect rain and dew have upon herbs and grass which they make fresh and fragrant and growing, the same effect may my discourse have upon your hearts, that is, to make them soft and pliable and fruitful.... [ Continue Reading ]
The name of the Lord — His glorious excellencies and righteous actions, by which he hath made himself known as a man is known by his name, and by which it will appear both that there is no blame to be laid upon him whatsoever befals you, and that it is gross madness to forsake such a God for dumb id... [ Continue Reading ]
A rock — As for the stability of his nature, and invincibleness of his power, so also for his fixedness and immutability in his counsels and promises and ways; so that is there shall be a sad change in your affairs, remember that this proceeds from yourselves and from the change of your ways towards... [ Continue Reading ]
They — The Israelites. Their spot — The wickedness with which they are stained, is not of his children — Plainly shews they are not his children, but the devil's. God's children have no such spot. Indeed this text does not affirm, they have any spot at all. Perverse — Froward and untractable: Crooke... [ Continue Reading ]
O foolish people and unwise! — Fools and double fools! Fools indeed, to disoblige one, on whom you so entirely depend! Who hath bewitched you! To forsake your own mercies for lying vanities! Bought thee — That hath redeemed thee from Egyptian bondage. Made thee — Not only in a general by creation, b... [ Continue Reading ]
The days of old — The events of ancient days or former ages, and thou wilt find that I had a respect unto thee not only in Abraham's time, but long before it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Their inheritance — When God by his providence allotted the several parts of the world to several people, which was done Genesis 10:1, Genesis 11:1. When he separated — Divided them in their languages and habitations according to their families. He set the bounds — That is, he disposed of the severa... [ Continue Reading ]
His people — It is no wonder God had so great a regard to this people, for he chose them out of all mankind to be his peculiar portion.... [ Continue Reading ]
He found him — Not by chance, but as it were looking out and seeking for him. He did indeed manifest himself to him in Egypt, but it was in the wilderness at Sinai, God found him in an eminent manner, and revealed his will to him, and entered into covenant with him, and imparted himself and his grac... [ Continue Reading ]
Her nest — Her young ones in the nest; which she by her cry and motion provoketh to fly. Her wings — As preparing herself to fly. On her wings — Or, as on her wings, that is, gently, and tenderly and safely too, as if she carried them not in her claws for fear of hurting them, but upon her wings. So... [ Continue Reading ]
Did lead them — When they were shut up in Egypt as in their nest whence they durst not venture to fly nor stir, he taught and encouraged and enabled them to fly out from that bondage, he dealt tenderly with them, bearing with their infirmities, keeping them from all harms. With him — To assist him a... [ Continue Reading ]
The high places — To conquer their strongest holds, which often are in the mountains, and their cities fenced with walls of greatest height and strength. To ride upon, in scripture phrase, is to subdue or conquer. Out of the rock — This being a land flowing with honey, where the bees made honey in t... [ Continue Reading ]
Fat of lambs — For though the fat wherewith the inward parts were covered was not to be eaten by them, but offered to God, yet that fat which was mixed with the flesh they might eat, as the Jewish doctors note. Basham — A place famous for excellent cattle. Fat of kidneys of wheat — With the finest o... [ Continue Reading ]
Jeshurun — Israel whom he calls right or upright, (as the word signifies) partly by way of instruction to mind them what they professed and ought to be; and partly by way of exprobration, to shew them what a shame it was to degenerate so much from their name and profession. Kicked — As well fed catt... [ Continue Reading ]
To jealousy — To anger and fury, for jealousy is the rage of a man. And withall it implies the ground of his anger, their falseness to God whom they had accepted as their husband, and their spiritual whoredom with other gods.... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto devils — Unto idols, which the devils brought into the world in opposition to God, in and by which the devils often manifested themselves to men, and gave them answers, and received their worship. The Gentiles pretended to worship God in those idols, and the devils which inspired them, deluded... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the rock — Of God, one of whose titles this is, or of Christ, who is called the rock, 1 Corinthians 10:4, whom the Israelites tempted.... [ Continue Reading ]
His sons and daughters — Such they were by calling and profession.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will see — I will make them and others see, what the fruit of such actions shall be. No faith — No fidelity: perfidious, that have broken their covenant so solemnly made with me.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will move them to jealousy with those that are not a people — With the Heathen nations, who are none of my people, who scarce deserve the name of a people, as being without the knowledge and fear of God, which is the foundation of all true policy and government, and many of them destitute of all g... [ Continue Reading ]
A fire is kindled — Great and grievous judgments shall be inflicted, which often come under the name of fire. Are they proud of their plenty? It shall burn up the increase of the earth. Are they confident of their strength? It shall destroy the very foundations of the mountains. It shall burn unto t... [ Continue Reading ]
Spend mine arrows — Even empty my quiver, and send upon them all my plagues, which, like arrows shot by a skilful and strong hand, shall speedily reach and certainly hit and mortally wound them.... [ Continue Reading ]
With hunger — With famine, which burns and parches the inward parts, and make the face black as a coal, Lamentations 4:8. Burning heat — From fevers or carbuncles, or other inflaming distempers.... [ Continue Reading ]
The wrath — Their rage against me, as it is expressed, Isaiah 37:28, their furious reproaches against my name, as if I were cruel to my people or unable to deliver them. The fear hereof is ascribed to God after the manner of men. Strangely — Insolenty and arrogantly above what they used to do.... [ Continue Reading ]
Void of counsel — Their enemies are foolish people, and therefore make so false and foolish a judgment upon things.... [ Continue Reading ]
They — Israel. Latter end — What their end will be, and that tho' God spare them long, yet at last judgment will certainly overtake them.... [ Continue Reading ]
One — Israelite. Their rock — Their God, who was their refuge and defence. Sold them — Namely, for bond — slaves, had given themselves up into their enemies hands. Shut them up — As it were in the net which their enemies had laid for them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Being judges — Who by their dear bought experience have been forced to acknowledge that our God was far stronger than they and their false gods together.... [ Continue Reading ]
For — As if he had said, This is the reason why their rock hath shut them up. Their vine is of the vine of Sodom — The people of Israel, which I planted as a choice vine, are now degenerated and become like the vine of Sodom, their principles and practices are all corrupt and abominable. Bitter — Th... [ Continue Reading ]
This — All their wickedness mentioned before. My long suffering towards them may make them think I have forgotten their sins, but I remember them punctually, they are sealed up as in a bag, Job 14:17, and as men seal up their treasures.... [ Continue Reading ]
Their feet shall slide — They who now think they stand fast and unmoveable, shall fall into utter destruction. In due time — Though not so soon as some may expect, yet in that time when it shall be most proper, when they have filled up the measure of their sins. At hand — Heb. is near. So the script... [ Continue Reading ]
For — Or, nevertheless, having spoken of the dreadful calamity which would come upon his people, he now turns his discourse into a more comfortable strain, and begins to shew that after God had sorely chastised his people, he would have mercy upon them and turn their captivity. Judge his people — Sh... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall say — The Lord, before he deliver his people, will first convince them of their former folly in forsaking him and following idols.... [ Continue Reading ]
Which did eat — That is, to whom you offered sacrifices and oblations after the manner of the Gentiles. Help you — If they can.... [ Continue Reading ]
See now — Learn by your own sad experience what vain and impotent things idols are. I am he — The only true, omnipotent and irresistible God.... [ Continue Reading ]
I lift up my hand — I solemnly swear, that I will do what here follows. I live — As sure as I live.... [ Continue Reading ]
If I whet my sword — If once I begin to prepare for war and for the execution of my sentence. Judgment — Of the instruments of judgment, of the weapons of war. A metaphor from warriors, that take their weapons into their hand, when they intend to fight.... [ Continue Reading ]
Captives — Whom my sword hath sorely wounded, though not utterly killed. From the beginning — When once I begin to revenge myself and my people upon mine and their enemies, I will go on and make a full end.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice — He calls upon the nations to rejoice and bless God for his favours, and especially for the last wonderful deliverance which shall be given to the Jews, when they shall be converted to the gospel in the last days; which they have all reason to do, because of that singular advantage which al... [ Continue Reading ]
He and Hoshea — Or Joshua. Probably Moses spoke it to as many as could hear him, while Joshua in another assembly at the same time delivered it to as many as his voice would reach. Thus Joshua, as well as Moses, would be a witness against them, if ever they forsook God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not vain — It is not an unprofitable or contemptible work I advise you to, but well worthy of your most serious care.... [ Continue Reading ]
That self — same day — Now he had finished his work, why should he desire to live a day longer? He had indeed formerly desired and prayed, that he might go over Jordan: but now he is entirely satisfied, and saith no more of that matter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nebo — A ridge or top of the mountains of Abarim.... [ Continue Reading ]
Because ye trespassed — God reminds him of the sin he had committed long before. It is good for the holiest of men to die repenting, even of their early sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet thou shalt see the land — And see it as the earnest of that better country, which is only seen with the eye of faith. What is death to him who has a believing prospect and a steadfast hope of eternal life?... [ Continue Reading ]