_THE PROPHET EXHORTETH TO SANCTIFICATION: HE PROMISETH THAT IT SHALL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT RESPECT OF PERSONS: HE INVEIGHETH AGAINST BLIND WATCHMEN._ _Before Christ 719._ THIS fifth section is doctrinal and prophetic; the _doctrinal_ part is three-fold: The _first_ member contains an exhortation, or... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT KEEPETH THE SABBATH— By _keeping the sabbath,_ which was particularly ordained for the worship of God, is meant all that which pertains to the divine worship under the Gospel; and by _keeping the hand from doing evil,_ is meant, the abstinence from all evil and immoral works. It cannot possibly... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET THE SON OF THE STRANGER, &C.— The _strangers_ and _eunuchs_ were excluded from the privileges of native Jews. In this period they are informed that the time is coming when those distinctions and restraints shall have no force, when the inward endowments of the soul should be sufficient t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GOD WHICH GATHERETH THE OUT-CASTS, &C.— In this verse a three-fold act of God is mentioned; _first,_ his _gathering together the out-casts of Israel;_ and then two gatherings of proselytes or strangers to be made to Israel; wherein the prophet alludes to the grand collection of the Gentiles... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL YE BEASTS OF THE FIELD— Interpreters are generally of opinion, that the _beasts of the field_ and _forest_ are here called upon to devour the nominal people of God, corrupted in their religion and manners; that is to say, to execute the judgments of God upon them: by which, Vitringa thinks, are... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS WATCHMEN— The prophet in these words paints in a lively manner the very corrupt government of the church. The consequence of which, is that deplorable state of the church described in the next section. Nothing can be more strong and expressive than the words of the prophet; he turns the subject... [ Continue Reading ]