_THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. THE PUBLICATION THEREOF. RACHEL MOURNING IS COMFORTED. EPHRAIM REPENTING, IS BROUGHT HOME AGAIN. CHRIST IS PROMISED: HIS CARE OVER THE CHURCH: HIS NEW COVENANT. THE STABILITY AND AMPLITUDE OF THE CHURCH._ _Before Christ 606._... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE SAME TIME— This is a continuation of the discourse which was begun in the last chapter. "This second part (says Calmet) principally respects the return of the ten tribes. I have shewn in a particular dissertation, that not only Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, but all the twelve tribes, returned in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE WHICH WERE LEFT, &C.— The first-fruits of salvation among the Jews are here specified, and that _wilderness_ is meant, in which the Author of grace and his forerunner made their first appearance. The Jews were then a people _left to the sword,_ namely, of the Chaldeans and Romans. Then th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH APPEARED OF OLD UNTO ME— _From afar off Jehovah appeared unto me._ These words, it is certain, were not spoken in reference to the same time that those were which go before. They may well be included in a parenthesis, and seem designed to intimate, that the prophet was favoured with a... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN I WILL BUILD THEE— "Thy inhabitants shall be again restored, who shall rebuild their cities and habitations which lay desolate during the time of their captivity: thou shalt again hear rejoicing in thy land as before," &c. The Jews are called the _virgin of Israel,_ to imply that, they returni... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WATCHMEN—CRY— Though the first reference may be to the leaders and teachers of the Jews returning from Babylon; yet, in the full completion of the prophesy, by _watchmen_ the preachers of the Messiah, or of the Gospel, are to be understood; for the Jews apply the Hebrew word נצרים _notsrim,_ exp... [ Continue Reading ]
AMONG THE THE CHIEF OF THE NATIONS— _On the tops of the mountains._ Houbigant. See Psalms 72:16. Micah 4:1. We may read the whole clause, _For thus hath_ JEHOVAH _said, Shout forth joy unto Jacob; and congratulate with the chief of the nations; publish ye, praise ye, and say,_ JEHOVAH _hath saved th... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, &C.— The reader will understand these verses best by referring to Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 41:18; Isaiah 49:10 where that prophet foretels the same things, though with much more magnificence. All this was but imperfectly verified in the return of the Jews from Babylon, but was made... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SATIATE, &C.— See Psalms 36:8; Psalms 63:5.Isaiah 55:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH— The prophet describes the lamentations in and about Jerusalem at the time of the several captivities, under the image of a mother lamenting over her dead children. The mournful scene is laid in Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin mentioned Judges 18:25 and _Rachel,_ the mothe... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THY WORK SHALL BE REWARDED— The Scriptures frequently allude to the years or days of a hireling: see Job 7 l, 2 Jeremiah 14:6. Isaiah 16:4; Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah 62:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE IS HOPE IN THINE END— "Though these of the present age do not live to see a return from the captivity, yet their posterity shall enjoy that blessing." This was particularly fulfilled with respect to the tribe of Benjamin in their return under Cyrus.... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY, &C.— _The smiting of the thigh_ is an expression of great surprise and concern. The Lord commands Ezekiel to deplore the miseries of his people, and to smite upon his thigh; chap. Jeremiah 21:12. We find the same custom in Homer, Xenophon, and other ancient writers. If, therefore, this be on... [ Continue Reading ]
IS EPHRAIM MY DEAR SON? &C.— Some render this passage, _Is not Ephraim my dear son? Is he not a delightful child? Verily, the oftener I speak of him, I shall still remember him more and more: therefore my bowels yearn upon_ or _towards him,_ &c. Houbigant, however, defends the common reading; he thi... [ Continue Reading ]
SET THEE UP WAY-MARKS— The prophet bids them to think of preparing for their return to their own country; and, in order to that end, to set up landmarks to direct travellers in the right path. Instead of, _make thee high heaps,_ Houbigant reads, _erect monuments of thy grief;_ that is, tokens in thy... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW LONG, &C.— _How long wilt thou turn backward,_ or _be a backslider, O rebellious daughter?_ Houbigant. In which words, says he, the Jews are described in their present state, refusing assent to the Gospel, though they confess that they have erred in interpreting the prophets and promises of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
HUSBANDMEN, AND THEY THAT GO FORTH WITH FLOCKS— These words are descriptive of the circumstances in which the ancestors of the Jews were placed upon their first introduction into the land of Canaan. The land was by divine appointment divided by lot among them, and every man had his separate portion... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I HAVE SATIATED— _For I have refreshed the thirsty soul, and every soul that pined for hunger have I filled._... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON THIS I AWAKED— _But, considering these things, I awaked, and was delighted with my sleep._ Houbigant. The prophet, on awakening, perceived himself comforted by these agreeable promises. This is the conclusion of the preceding discourse.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THOSE DAYS, &C.— See the note on Exodus 20:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, &C.— The covenant here spoken of Jeremiah calls a _new covenant;_ Jeremiah 31:31 and what kind of covenant? Not such a one as was made with their fathers; Jeremiah 31:32. This was declarative enough of its nature; yet, to prevent mistakes, he gives as well a positive as a nega... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH DIVIDETH THE SEA— _Who vibrates,_ or _stirreth up the sea._ Schultens, and Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOSE ORDINANCES DEPART, &C.— These promises cannot respect the carnal Jews; they certainly regard another people, who were taken into their place, and succeeded to their prerogatives and promises; that is, the church of Jesus Christ, which shall subsist for ever, consisting of all the faithful r... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, &C.— The prophet here describes the limits of that new Jerusalem which the Jews were to build upon their restoration. This must certainly refer to some future restoration; for that it was not fulfilled from the return out of Babylon to the days of Christ, we are assured from s... [ Continue Reading ]