In those days — When I shall by Cyrus bring Judah out of Babylon. Of Judah — As the type of the whole remnant that are saved. And Jerusalem — For beside what refers to the two tribes restored by Cyrus, the bringing back the captivity of the whole Israel of God by Christ is to be considered all along... [ Continue Reading ]
All nations — In the type it is all those nations that have oppressed Judah, in the anti — type, all nations that have been enemies to Christ and the church. Into the valley of Jehoshaphat — I will debate my people's cause, and do them right in the midst of my church, signified by the valley of Jeho... [ Continue Reading ]
Cast lots — It was customary with conquerors to divide the captives by lot, and so did these enemies of the Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea — Have I done you any wrong, which you avenge upon my people? Or do you begin to violate the laws of neighbourhood and friendship, and think to escape? Do ye think you have to do with a poor opprest people, my people, and I nothing concerned at it? Palestine — On which were towns of trade, and m... [ Continue Reading ]
Taken — Either as part of the spoil, or as part of your pay. My silver — Silver and gold vessels dedicated to my service.... [ Continue Reading ]
Remove them — That there might be no hope of their return to their country.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will raise them — This was fulfilled when Alexander, and his successors dismissed all the Jews that were slaves in Greece, and gave them leave to return to their own country.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will sell — Give them up into the hands of the Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
This — These things which I will do to the enemies of God's people. The Gentiles — The Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Grecians successively. Prepare war — Make ready for wars against the enemies of my people.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am strong — Put on strength and valour; let none be absent from this war.... [ Continue Reading ]
Round about — All round about Judah. Thither — Toward Jerusalem; the church and heritage of God. Thy mighty ones — All those mighty warriors whom thou wilt make use of successively to punish the oppressors of thy church.... [ Continue Reading ]
The heathen — The several nations in their appointed time, perhaps the Assyrians first under Salmaneser, next under Sennacherib, both of whom came up to the valley of Jehoshaphat. For there — In the midst of my people to plead with, condemn and punish the heathen round about Judea.... [ Continue Reading ]
Put ye — Ye executioners of divine vengeance: begin to reap, cut down sinners ripe for judgment; let Tiglath Pilneser and his soldiers cut down Syria and its king, for their violence against my people. Let Cyaxares and his armies cut down Assyria. Let Nebuchadnezzar cut down Moab, Ammon, mount Seir,... [ Continue Reading ]
In the valley of decision — Where God having gathered them, decided their quarrels, and by the conqueror punish the conquered for their sins against God and his people. The day — The day of vengeance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall roar — He will strike the enemy with astonishment as the roaring of the lion astonishes the weaker beasts of the forest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Dwelling — Very graciously present with you, and ever watching over you, and delighting to save you. Then — After her enemies are destroyed and the remnant is saved, and the Messiah is come; for to him and his days these things ultimately refer. Jerusalem — The church of Christ. Strangers — No profa... [ Continue Reading ]
The mountains — The vines planted upon the mountains. Shall flow — So fruitful shall the hills be, that milk shall abound every where. A fountain — The prophet alludes to those waters which were conveyed from some spring through conduit pipes towards the altar. This no doubt is a shadow of the purif... [ Continue Reading ]
Egypt — By Egypt we may understand all the enemies of the church who carry it toward the church, as Egypt carried it toward Israel. Edom — Edom was an implacable enemy to Judah in his greatest distress. And all who come under Edom's character are here threatened under this name. Judah — The people o... [ Continue Reading ]
Judah — The redeemed of the Lord, his church.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will cleanse — Purge away both by the spirit of sanctification and by free pardon in the blood of the redeemer. Their blood — Their sinfulness, which before I had not taken away.... [ Continue Reading ]