_THE FERVENT DESIRE OF THE PROPHET TO CONFIRM THE CHURCH IN GOD'S PROMISES. THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTERS_ (_UNTO WHICH THEY ARE INCITED_) _IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL, AND PREPARING THE PEOPLE THERETO._ _Before Christ 698._ THE second section of this fourth discourse contains, I. A speech of the prophe... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ZION'S SAKE WILL I NOT HOLD MY PEACE— It is plain from the last verse of the preceding chapter, that this is immediately connected with it; which Vitringa refers to a prophetic choir, representing the whole body of the ministers of God, and among there particularly the apostles and evangelists,... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BE CALLED BY A NEW NAME— This is fully explained by the fourth verse, and chap. Isaiah 65:15. A change of condition for the better is signified, to be expressed by some certain characteristic sign. Any thing in the style of Scripture is said to be _called by a new name,_ whether it be ado... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT ALSO BE A CROWN OF GLORY— The meaning of this metaphorical expression is, that God would hold fast in _his hand,_ and in the very _palm of it,_ his church, as a thing extremely dear and precious to him. The last clause should be rendered, _And a royal diadem in the palm of thy God._... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NO MORE BE TERMED FORSAKEN— The prophet had said in the second verse, that the church should be called by a _new name,_ which name is here expressed: that is to say, a new attribute should be discovered in the church, which had hitherto not been seen in her; namely, that she should receiv... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS A YOUNG MAN MARRIETH A VIRGIN— Bishop Lowth justly observes, that in the passage before us, instead of _sons_ we should read _builder_ or _creator;_ for the word is not in the plural of בן _ben,_ a _son,_ but of the participle _benomi,_ from the verb בנה _banah;_ and is parallel and synonymou... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SET WATCHMEN, &C.— As much as to say, "since God, by the peculiar blessing of his providence, hath placed watchmen upon the walls of Jerusalem, who shall constantly watch for its safety; therefore do you, who are intrusted with this office, perform your parts diligently, and intercede continu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH SWORN— The prophetic chorus here returns to its office, and, renewing its discourse, assures the church, now for a long time exposed to the persecution of her enemies, that God would most certainly procure for her times of public peace and tranquillity, in which, delivered from her ene... [ Continue Reading ]
GO THROUGH, &C.— The chorus, having promised in the preceding verses great things to the church, here removes an objection which might arise to the completion of that promise, and teaches, that although there might seem, from the state of the world, many and great impediments to this hope, yet that... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE LORD HATH PROCLAIMED— The scheme of this passage is so formed, that to the people of God, dispersed through all nations in a time of public affliction and persecution, the _voice of the Lord may sound, even to the ends of the earth;_ publicly notifying that the Saviour is come to avenge... [ Continue Reading ]