Part 90
34. I will forgive - God makes the root of all this grace to be the free pardon, and the remission of their sins.
36. Those ordinances - The ordinances of nature, which are God's establishments for the working of natural causes in their order.
37. I will cast off - That is, I will never cast off all the seed of Israel. 38. The city - Shall be built round, as largely as ever. 39. The line - That is, it shall be built round about upon its old foundations. 40. The valley - A valley, so called from the multitude of Sennacherib's army slain there. Of the ashes - So called from the ashes of the sacrifices carried thither. Holy - All these places shall be parts of the holy city, and God's name shall be sanctified, and he shall be worshipped in them all. For ever - If we interpret the word for ever of a perpetuity, the church of God must here be understood, against which the gates of hell shall never prevail.
XXXII
Jeremiah in the siege of Jerusalem being imprisoned by Zedekiah, buys a field, takes witnesses, draws a writing, seals and delivers it to Baruch to preserve, as tokens of the peoples return, ver. 1-15. He prays with admiration of God's majesty and works; and represents his own conflict, ver. 16-25. God confirms the captivity for their sins, ver. 26-35. but promises a gracious return, ver. 36-44.
5. Until I visit him - Perhaps in mercy; it is certain Zedekiah was not put to death, only carried to Babylon, where some think he afterward found favour with the king of Babylon.
9. The money - The price of land was strangely fallen at this time, when the enemy was besieging the chief city of the country.
11. I took - It is probable, that upon such sales among the Jews, two instruments were made, the one sealed up, to be kept by the purchaser, the other open, to be shewed to the Judges, and by them ratified.
12. Baruch - This Baruch (chap. xlvi, 4, 26,) was a scribe, and an attendant upon Jeremiah. Witnesses - He made this purchase with all the usual formalities; he signed and sealed it before witnesses, and delivered it to Baruch to keep, in the presence of all the Jews.
20. Who hast set signs - Who didst wonders of justice in the land of Egypt, such as are remembered even to this day.
24. The mounts - Rather engines of war with which those nations used to batter walls, or to shoot great stones into places besieged.
34. Have set - Their idols. 39. One heart - I will give them union and concord, one mind and judgment. One way - They shall all worship me according, to the rule I have given them.
40. I will make - This promise manifestly relates to those Jews that should receive the Lord Jesus Christ, unless it be to be understood of a national conversion of the Jews, not yet effected.
XXXIII
The taking of Jerusalem, carrying away the people, their return, ver. 1-8. Joyful state and settled government, ver. 9-14. Christ the branch of righteousness, his everlasting kingdom and priesthood, and blessed seed, ver. 15-26.
2. The Lord - The maker thereof, of Jerusalem, or of these promises, his name is Jehovah; he hath a sufficiency in himself to make good his word.
5. They - The Jews sally out and fight with their enemies, but to no purpose, but to fill their houses with their own dead bodies, whom I will cause in my anger to be slain.
6. I will cure - The miserable disturbed state of a nation being compared to wounds and sickness, the restoring of it to a peaceable prosperous state is fitly called its health and cure. I will bring them again to a quiet and peaceable state in which they shall abide many days.
9. They shalt fear - And not only so but shall fear to engage against a nation so beloved and favoured by me.
12. Is desolate - That is, a great part of which is, and the other part shall soon be desolate. 13. Shall pass - So as to keep tally of them, as they were wont to do both morning and evening in those countries.
15. The branch - The kings they had hitherto had of the line of David, were most of them unrighteous men, but God promises that after the captivity, they should have a branch of David
who would execute judgment and righteousness in the land, for the protection and government of those that feared him.
16. Saved - It is the opinion of some that a spiritual salvation and security is promised under these expressions, but by the most and best interpreters, a temporal salvation. This was typical of that spiritual and eternal salvation which is promised to the true Israel of God; as their rest in Canaan typified that rest which remaineth for the people of God. The Lord our righteousness - There is no such name any where given, either to the Jewish or Christian church, as the Lord our righteousness, but the full import of that name is spoken of Christ, Isaiah xlv, 23, which text is applied to Christ, Rom. xiv, 11 Phil ii, 10.
17. David - That is, apparently a promise relating to Christ, for David's line had failed long since, had it not been continued in Christ, whose kingdom is and shall be an everlasting kingdom.
18. A man - That is, a ministry to abide in the church to the end of the world, nor is it unusual for God in the Old Testament to express promises to be fulfilled under the gospel by expressions proper to the Old Testament.
20. My covenant - The same with the ordinances mentioned, chap. xxxi, 35. God's law established in the course of natural causes, by virtue of which the day and night, orderly succeed one another. The succession of the gospel ministry in the church of God to abide for ever, shall be as certain as the succession of darkness and light.
22. Of David - Christ is himself called David, whose seed and whose Levites are multiplied in the multiplying of Christians and of faithful ministers under the gospel, which are the things here promised.
24. The two families - The families of David and Aaron. Despised - Spoken scornfully of my people, as if they should never be a nation more, having rulers of themselves, and a ministry.
XXXIV
The captivity of king Zedekiah, and the city, ver. 1-7. The princes and people by solemn covenant, according to the law, dismiss their bond servants, but the Babylonians leaving the siege, they reassume them, ver. 8-11. For this God threatens a return of the enemy, and the destruction of Jerusalem, ver. 12-22.
5. Ah Lord - The Jews in their chronology, give us the form of the lamentation thus. Alas! Zedekiah is dead, who drank the dregs of all ages: that is, who was punished for the sins of all former ages.
17. Behold - You shall perish by the sword, famine and pestilence, and those of you who escape them, shall be slaves, in many nations.
18. Cut the calf - It seems these Jews in their making of the solemn covenant with God about releasing their servants used this rite; they caused a calf, or heifer to be cut in pieces, and the parts to be laid in the temple, right over-against one another; then they recited this covenant, and passed between the parts of the heifer so cut; silently agreeing that God should cut them in pieces like that beast if they did not make their words good.
22. Behold - I will put into their hearts to return.
XXXV
By the obedience of the Rechabites, ver. 1-11. God condemns the Jews disobedience, ver. 12-17. The Rechabites are blessed, ver. 18, 19.
1. The word - This is another evidence that the prophecies of this book are not left us in that order wherein they were delivered; for those which we had in the two or three foregoing chapters being in the time of Zedekiah, must needs be ten or eleven years after this.
2. Rechabites - These Rechabites had their name from Rechab their father, descended from Hemath, a Kenite, who is also called Hobab, Judg. iv, 11, or Jethro the father in law of Moses.
4. Igdaliah - A prophet. The princes - The chamber were the princes were wont to meet. 6. Jonadab - Jonadab of whom we read, 2 Kings x, 15, was the father, that is the progenitor of the Rechabites, at three hundred years distance.
7. That ye may live - Jonadab cautions his sons by a thrifty, sober, labourious life, to which they had been bred, in keeping flocks, to avoid any thing which might expose them to the envy or hatred of the people amongst whom they were come to sojourn.
10. Tents - Moveable habitations, which they could with little labour remove to feed their flocks. 19. For ever - For ever here signifies the ever of the Jewish state, or church.
XXXVI
Jeremiah causes Baruch to write his prophecy; and publickly to read it, ver. 1-10. The princes send to fetch the roll and read it, ver. 11-18. They advise Baruch and Jeremiah to hide themselves, ver. 19. The king tears part of the roll, and burns it, ver. 20-26. Jeremiah denounces his judgment, ver. 27-31. Baruch writes a new copy, ver. 32.
2. A roll - Parchments, which anciently were their books. All the words - All the Revelations he had from God for twenty-two years last past. God would have them recorded, that there might be a memorial of them, that so the truth of them might appear, when God should bring them to pass; the time of which now drew near.
6. Upon the fasting day - It was undoubtedly, because of the concourse of people which the prophet knew would that day be in the temple, that he chose that day, when some would be present from all parts of Judah.
10. Then read - Most likely out of some window, or balcony, the people being below, and hearing it.
18. He pronounced - This could not but add to the princes fear, they must needs conceive that without a special influence of God, it had been impossible, that Jeremiah should have called to mind all that he had spoken at several times in so many years.
22. The ninth month - Answered to part of our November and December. 23. He - The king not having patience to hear above three or four columns, or periods, cut it in pieces and burned it in the fire.
25. Elnathan - These princes seemed to have had a greater dread of God upon their hearts than the rest.
26. Hid them - God by his providence kept them both out of their hands; directing them to find such a place of recess as the kings messengers could not find out.
30. None to sit - That is, none that shall be king any considerable time. Jeconiah his son was set up, but kept his throne but three months.
XXXVII
The Egyptians raise the siege of the Chaldeans: and king Zedekiah sends to Jeremiah, to pray and inquire of the Lord for them, ver. 1-5. He prophesies the Chaldeans return and victory, ver. 6-10. He is apprehended for a fugitive, beaten, and put into prison, ver. 11-15. He assures Zedekiah of the captivity; and, entreating for liberty, obtains some favour, ver. 16-21.
10. And burn it - When God is resolved upon an effect, the instruments are little to be regarded. It is not the arm of flesh, but the power of God which is in that case to be considered.
12. Went forth - Jeremiah knowing the city would suddenly be taken, and that he could be no farther useful to the people, taking advantage of the withdrawing of the Chaldean army, resolves to go to his own country, to Anathoth, in the crowd of people that were going out.
13. Of Benjamin - The gate that looked toward the inheritance of that tribe. 16. The dungeon - The Hebrew words signify some pit, or deep hole, where were some cells or apartments, in which they were wont to keep those whom they judged great malefactors.
17. Is there - Hath God revealed any thing to thee, concerning the issue of the return of the Chaldean army.
XXXVIII
Jeremiah prophesies; is by the princes, with the king's permission, cast into a dungeon; but is by Ebed-melech, with the king's consent, taken out again, ver. 1-13. He has a secret conference with the king, in which he counsels him by yielding, to save his life, ver. 14-23. By the king's command he conceals the conference from the princes, ver. 24-27. He abides in prison 'till Jerusalem is taken, ver. 28.
5. For the king - I see I am as it were no king. I can do nothing against you, you will do what you please.
10. Thirty men - Probably the king commanded Ebed-melech to take thirty men to guard him against any opposition.
19. Lest they - Lest the Chaldeans should deliver me into the hands of those Jews which have fallen to them.
22. The women - Thou that art afraid of the insultings of men, shalt fall under the insultings of the women. Thy friends - For this thou mayest thank thy priests, and false prophets. And they - Have forsaken thee, every one shifting for himself.
XXXIX
Jerusalem is taken: Zedekiah's sons are slain, his eyes put out, he is sent to Babylon, All the nobles of Judah are slain: the city is burnt, and the chief of the people carried captives, ver. 110. Nebuchadrezzar's charge concerning Jeremiah, ver. 11-14. God's promise to Ebed-melech, ver. 15-18.
1. Tenth month - This month answers to part of our December and January. 3. The middle gate - The city was encompassed with two walls, before they came to the wall of the temple; the gate in the inner wall is supposed to have been that which is called the middle gate. They would not at first venture farther, 'till they might without hazarding their persons.
5. Riblah - Riblah was upon the borders of Canaan. Zedekiah was a tributary to the king of Babylon, and so subject to his power, having made a covenant with him, and secured his allegiance by his oath to him.
12. Take him - It is probable, that Nebuchadnezzar had been informed, Jeremiah had constantly told the king, that the Chaldeans should take the city, and as steadily persuaded both the king and princes to surrender it to them.
15. Now the word - These four verses mention a matter that happened before the things mentioned in the foregoing verses.
Jeremiah being set free by Nebuchadnezzar, goes to Gedaliah, ver. 1-6. to whom the remaining Jews repair, ver. 7-12. Johanan revealing Ishmael's conspiracy, is not believed, ver. 13-16.
1. Ramah - Ramah was a city in the tribe of Benjamin near Gibeon. Babylon - Jeremiah was by mistake and expressly contrary to the king's orders carried amongst the other prisoners; probably
the captain of the guard at that place called over his prisoners, and among them found the prophet contrary to his expectation.
5. Now - Jeremiah before he was gone out of the presence of Nebuzar-adan, declaring that he was more inclined to stay in his own country, Nebuzar-adan bid him, Go back.
8. Ishmael - It is likely these were commanders of parties, which either were within the city 'till it was taken, and then escaped, or where somewhere in the country, and not so much regarded by the Chaldeans, who were more intent upon the conquest of the city, than pursuing these little parties.
10. I will dwell - I have choice made of Mizpah, a city upon the frontiers, to make my residence, it being a convenient place for me to receive orders from the king of Babylon. But ye - Gather such fruits as the country affords, as you use to do in the times of peace.
12. Returned - Probably upon the king of Babylon's first invading Judah, many fled, and more as he went on his conquests, overrunning the country; and it is likely at the taking of the city, many escaped, and fled into several countries, as they had opportunity, or judged this or that country would be safest; some fled to Moab, some to Ammon some to Edom, some one way, and some another: but when they heard that the king of Babylon had set a governor of their own religion and country over them, they came back to him; and there being few people left in the land, which was wonderfully fruitful, they gathered plenty of grapes, and other summer fruits.
13. Moreover - They had been with him before, but now they come to discover a conspiracy against his life.
XLI
Ishmael, under a colour of friendship kills Gedaliah and others, both Jews and Chaldeans, ver. 1-9. He purposes to carry the residue captive to the Ammonites, but they are rescued from him by Johanan, who intends to flee into Egypt, ver. 10-18.
1. Now - Three months after the city was taken. Ishmael - The same Ishmael that came to Gedaliah, ver. 8, 9, to whom he swear protection; only here we are told he was of the royal blood, which might both raise his spirits, as having a more legal pretense to the government, and rendered him a fitter instrument, for Baalis the king or queen of the Ammonites to make use of. The princes - Some of the princes, who had escaped the army of the king of Babylon.
3. Slew - All those who were about the court of Gedaliah. 4. No man - No man who lived at any distance from Mizpah. 5. There came men - Who possibly had not heard of the temple being burnt. Cut themselves - With all indications of mourning used in those countries.
8. He forebare - His covetousness prevailed over his cruelty.
XLII
Johanan and the people desire Jeremiah to inquire of God, promising obedience to his will, ver. 1-6. Jeremiah assures them of safety in Judea, ver. 7-12. and destruction in Egypt, ver. 13-18. Reproves their hypocrisy and obstinacy, ver. 19-22.
6. Good or evil - Whether grateful or ungrateful to us. 10. I repent - I am satisfied with the punishment your nation hath undergone, and as to the remainder, will change the course of my providence.
XLIII
Johanan and the commanders discredit Jeremiah's prophecy, ver. 1-3. and with the people, carry him and Baruch into Egypt, ver. 4-7. He prophesies by a type, the conquest of Egypt by the Babylonians, ver. 8-13.
7. Tahpanhes - It was at this time the place where the king of Egypt made his residence. 12. Carry them - He shall carry away both the idols, and the inhabitants of Egypt captive. With the land - With the spoils of the land of Egypt, he shall clothe his army.
13. Beth-shemesh - Beth-shemesh is the name of a city, which had its name from a famous temple of the sun.
XLIV
Jeremiah represents to the people in Egypt, the former sins and punishment of Judah, ver. 1-10. He prophesies of their destruction in Egypt, ver. 11-14. Their obstinacy, ver. 15-19. Threatened, ver. 20-28. For a sign, the destruction of Egypt is foretold, ver. 29, 30.
1. At Migdol - It seems the Jews that went into Egypt had planted themselves at these four places. Migdol was a city upon the borders of the Red Sea. Noph was a city, which the Greeks and Latines called Memphis; it is thought to be that, which is now called Cairo. Pathros was the province, since called Thebais.
14. For none - Only such shall escape, as have been forced into Egypt against their wills; and as did not fall in with the idolatry of the Egyptians.
15. All the men - It should seem those that did it were mostly women, and that they did it with some privacy, so that all their husbands did not know of it.
26. The Lord liveth - There shall not any be left alive of the Jews that are in Egypt, to swear The Lord God liveth.
29. This shall be a sign - Signs are usually antecedent to the thing signified, but the word is taken in a larger notion in this place for that which should attend the thing signified by it.
XLV
Jeremiah instructs and comforts Baruch, ver. 1-5.
3. I find no rest - Upon Baruch's reading the prophecies both he and Jeremiah were advised to hide themselves. This probably disturbed Baruch, and made him lament his condition.
5. Seek them not - Dost thou expect what none is like to meet with who feareth God? Upon all flesh - I am bringing calamities upon the whole nation.
XLVI
The overthrow of Pharaoh's army, ver. 1-12. The conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadrezzar, ver. 13-26. God's people comforted, ver. 27, 28.
1. The word - This verse contains the title of all the ensuing discourses; for, tho' there be some verses in these chapters that relate to the Jews, yet they are all concerning their restoration. The prophecies of judgments from the beginning of this chapter to the fifty-second, are all against foreign nations, which are called Gentiles.
4. Brigandines - Coats of mail. 6. Let not the swift - It is in vain for the swift to flee away, the mighty men shall not escape, but they shall stumble and fall at Carchemish, which was near the river Euphrates, and northward from Egypt.
9. And the Lydians - They were all auxiliaries to the Egyptians in this expedition. 10. Made drunk - These phrases only metaphorically signify, the great slaughter God would make that day amongst the Egyptians.
12. Stumbled - Stumbling one upon another, so that both those that went before, and those who followed after, should fall together.
14. Declare - Publish this over all the land of Egypt. 17. Pharaoh - Hath made a great noise, but it cometh to nothing. Passed - That is, he hath passed the time himself fixed when he would cone, and fight the Chaldeans.
18. Surely - He shall as certainly come and encompass you with his armies, as Tabor is encompassed with mountains, and as Carmel is by the sea.
20. A serpent - Egypt is now like an heifer that makes a great bellowing, but the time shall come when she shall make a lesser noise like the hissing of a serpent. With axes - For the Chaldeans shall come with an army, armed with battle-axes, as if they came to fell wood in a forest.
23. Tho' - Tho' it seem impenetrable.
XLVII
The destruction of the Philistines, Tyrians, Zidonians, and others by the seaside, ver. 1-7.
1. Before - In the time of the Philistines prosperity. 4. The day - Which God hath set, and appointed for their ruin. Caphtor - Tyre and Sidon were neighbours to the Philistines, and so were often called to their help. The Philistines and Caphtorim were related, for their first progenitors, Philistim and Caphtorim, were both the sons of Mizriam the son of Ham, one of the sons of Noah.
5. The remnant - Those who lived in the valleys near Ashkelon. But thyself - Why will you afflict yourselves, when all your mourning will do you no good.
6. O thou sword - Perhaps they are the words of the prophet, lamenting the havock which he made among the Philistines by the Chaldeans.
7. How - God lets the prophet know that he had given this sword its commission, and therefore it could not stop 'till Ashkelon and the people on the sea-shore were destroyed by it.
XLVIII
The judgment of Moab, ver. 1-6. for their pride, ver. 7-10. for their security and human confidence, ver. 11-15. especially for their contempt of God, and insolence towards his people, ver. 2646. Their restoration, ver. 47.
2. Heshbon - Heshbon was one of the principal cities of the Moabites. Probably the enemies sat there in counsel, when they had taken it, against the other parts of the country.
3. Horoniam - Another city of Moab. 5. Luhith - To this city the Moabites fled for sanctuary, and flying made so great an out-cry that their enemies who pursued them heard it.
6. And be - Save your lives, though all ye have be lost. 7. Trusted - In thy idols. Chemosh - Chemosh was their principal idol. 9. Give wings - The Moabites have need of wings like a bird to escape that ruin which is coming upon them.
11. At ease - The Moabites ever since they began to be a people, have been a quiet people. Settled - Like a cask of wine, that has not been racked but has continued in the same state. Not emptied - A metaphor of wine which is drawn out from vessel to vessel, when it is drawn off the lees. It is expounded by the next words. Therefore - And this is the reason why they retain their old sins, pride, presumption, and luxury.
12. Wanderers - The Chaldeans, who wandered from their own country to conquer other people. Break his bottles - He had before compared the Moabites, to wine settled upon the lees, here he saith, that God would send those that should not only disturb, but destroy them.
13. Bethel - The golden calves, which Jeroboam set up at Daniel and Bethel. 16. Is near - Josephus tells us this destruction came upon the Moabites five years after the siege of Jerusalem.
17. Staff - A staff and a rod are as well, ensigns of power and government, as instruments to punish offenders.
18. Dibon - Dibon, Aroer, and Ataroh were built by the children of Gad. It should seem the Moabites were not come into the possession of them. In thirst - It was a place well watered, but God threatens she should be in thirst, that is, driven into some dry, barren countries. The spoiler - The king of Babylon.
20. Arnon - Arnon was the name of a river; it was the border of Moab: probably the adjacent country or city might take its name from the river.
25. The horn - That is the beauty and the strength of Moab. 26. Drunken - Fill him with the intoxicating wine of God's vengeance. 27. Was he found - Why didst thou deal by Israel as men deal by thieves, when they are brought to shame?
28. O ye - Still the prophet speaks of the Moabites, as a people whose armies were routed, and calls to them to leave their houses in cities, not promising themselves any security, either to or from their houses, or from the walls of the cities, but to get them to rocks, which are naturally fortified, and from whence (if from any place) security may be promised.
30. I know - He shall never execute what he thinks to do. But - His boastings and his lies, still never effect his designs.
31. Kir-herez - A city of Moab. 32. Sibmah - Sibmah was famous in those days for vines. Jazer - Jazer was it seems first taken, and carried into captivity.
36. Pipes - The prophet means such pipes as they were wont to use at funerals, and other sad occasions.
40. He - Nebuchadnezzar shall come swiftly, and spread himself over Moab. 43. Fear - A variety of dangers upon all sides. 45. Heshbon - Heshbon was it seems a place of force. The crown - That is, the glory. 47. Bring again - It seems this is to be understood of a spiritual reduction of them, by calling them into the kingdom of the Messiah.
XLIX
The judgment of the Ammonites, ver. 1-5. Their restoration, ver. 6. The judgment of Edom, ver. 7-22. Of Damascus, ver. 23-27. Of Kedar, and Hazor, ver. 28-33. Of Elam, and its restoration, ver. 34-39.
1. No heir - During the long tract of time that there were wars between the Jews and Ammonites, the land of Gad and Reuben which lay beyond Jordan, fell into the hands of the Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites. Hence it is that the prophet saith, Hath Israel no sons? God had given that country of Gilead to Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad; and as mens estates ought to descend to their heirs, so this land should have descended to their posterity, but the Ammonites had taken and possessed it.
3. Ai - A city of the Ammonites, not the same mentioned, Josh. vii, 2, for that was on the other side Jordan. By the hedges - Where they might be hidden, and not so easily seen.
4. Flowing - Either flowing with water, or plenty of corn and grass. 5. Right forth - So that you shall be glad to flee, and never look back. Gather up - None will receive or entertain you.
6. I will bring - Probably this refers to the conversion of the Ammonites, as well as other Heathens, to Christ.
7. Edom - The Edomites were the posterity of Esau the eldest son of Isaac, but disinherited; the blessing being given to his younger brother Jacob, who was head of the twelve tribes of Israel. God promised him that he should have a fat, and plentiful country, tho' his brother should be his Lord; and foretold, that he should break his brother's yoke from off his neck: the land of Seir was his country. The Edomites coasted southward upon Canaan, the Israelites passed by their coasts to go into Canaan, their way lay thro' Edom, but their king refusing to suffer them to go through, God ordered them to go another way. Balaam prophesied their ruin. They were enemies to the Israelites in the time of Saul, 1 Sam. xiv, 47, and David, 2 Sam. viii, 14, and Amaziah, 2 Kings xiv, 17, who slew of them ten thousand, and took Selah, calling it Jokteel. Many of the prophets foretold their ruin, Jeremiah in this place, Ezek xxv, 12-14 Joel iii, 19 Amos ix, 11, 12, and others. Teman - Was a city of Edom.
8. Dedan - Was a city of Arabia joining to Idumea, Isaiah xxi, 13, they being neighbours to the Edomites are called to flee, and to get into caves, where they might dwell deep in the earth and be in some security.
9. If - Edom shall be totally destroyed; their destruction should not be like the gleaning of grapes, where the gatherers content themselves with taking the principal clusters: nor yet like the robbings of thieves, who take for their hunger, and when they have got enough leave the rest.
12. They - The Jews, who in comparison with others did not deserve to drink of the cup, yet have drank of it, and can you think to escape? When an Israelite hath not escaped the justice of God, an Edomite must not expect it.
13. Bozrah - Edom is expressed under the name of Bozrah, (a part for the whole) Bozrah being its principal city.
14. An ambassador - He speaks after the manner of earthly princes, who use to send their ambassadors to other princes to declare their minds to them. God hath inclined them to come against Edom.
19. Behold - The Edomites shall come up fiercely against Nebuchadrezzar, but will suddenly flee, yea even from their own country. Appoint - Into whose hands shall I give that country. For who - For I can do whatsoever I please. Will appoint - And who will appoint me a time to plead with men? Who is - Where is that king or potentate that will stand before me?
20. Teman - Edom and Teman signify the same thing. The least - The least of Nebuchadrezzar's forces shall drag them out of their lurking places.
23. Damascus - Being the head of this country, is put for the whole country. Hamath - Hamath and Arpad were two cities also of Syria. On the sea - Their inhabitants that live near the sea shall be troubled.
25. Of my joy - A city of great renown. The king of Syria is here supposed to speak. 27. Ben-hadad - Was the common name of the kings of Syria. 28. Kedar - Was one of the sons of Ishmael, whose posterity inhabited part of Arabia Petraea. Hazor was the head city to several kingdoms in Joshua's time.
29. They - The Chaldeans. 30. Flee - These seem to be the prophet's words. 31. Arise - The result of Nebuchadrezzar's counsels, giving charge to his armies to march against the Kedarens, who lived at ease and took no care, nor had any neighbours that could assist them.
34. Against Elam - Probably the Persians. 38. My throne - God calls the throne of Cyrus or Alexander his throne; because he gave it the conqueror.
39. But - We had the like promise as to Moab, chap. xlviii, 47, and as to Ammon, ver. xlix, 6, the same latter days either signify after many days, or in the time of the Messiah. In the former sense it may refer to Cyrus, who conquered Persia. In the latter sense it refers to the spiritual liberty which some of these poor Heathens were brought into by the gospel. We read Acts ii, 9, that some of the Elamites were at Jerusalem at pentecost, and were some of those converted to Christ.
The judgment of Babel, and the land of Chaldea, for their idolatry, tyranny and pride; with gracious promises of the redemption of Israel intermixed, ver. 1-46.
2. Bel - Bel and Merodach were the two principal idols of the Babylonians. 3. The north - From Media which lay northward to Babylon and Assyria. 4. In those days - In the days wherein God shall begin to execute judgment upon Babylon, (which was in the time of Cyrus) the children of Judah shall come out of captivity, and some of the children of Israel hearing that their brethren were gone out of Babylon, shall go up also from the several places into which they were disposed by the Assyrians: weeping for their sins, or for joy that God should shew them such mercy.
6. Their shepherds - Their civil and ecclesiastical governors have been a cause of it. The former by their wicked commands and example; the latter by example as well as doctrine. Turned them -
To offer sacrifices unto idols. From mountain - From one idolatry to another. Forgotten - They have forgotten me.
7. Habitation - Some think this is a name here given to God, who indeed is the habitation of justice, but whether the Chaldeans would call him so, may be a question. Others therefore think the preposition in is understood, making this the aggravation of the Jews sins, that they were committed in a land which ought to have been an habitation of justice.
8. Remove - God commands his people to remove out of Babylon, and to go forth chearfully like the he-goats of a flock leading the way.
10. Satisfied - Satisfied with spoil and plunder. 11. Because - They rejoiced at the ruin of the Jews. Fat - The cause for which Babylon is threatened, was doubtless their luxury of all sorts commonly attending great wealth.
12. Mother - Your country, shall be ashamed of you, who are not able to defend her. 15. Given her hand - Acknowledging themselves overcome, and yielding. As she hath done - Unmerciful men find no mercy.
16. Every one - Either such strangers as for commerce had their abodes in Babylon, or such assistance as the Babylonians had gotten against their enemies.
17. Israel - The whole twelve tribes. Lions - Enemies cruel as lions had carried them into captivity.
20. Not found - God will no longer punish the sins of the Jews, they should be sought for as to punishment and not found. Reserve - Whom I save from the captivity of Babylon.
21. Merathaim - The names of some places which Cyrus took in his way to Babylon. 22. The land - Of Chaldea. 26. Open her store-houses - The granaries, or treasures of the Babylonians. 27. Bullocks - The great and rich men of Babylon. 28. The vengeance - The revenge which God had taken for his holy temple, which the Chaldeans had destroyed.
33. Together - Together in this place signifies no more than that they were both oppressed, or alike oppressed.
34. Plead - He will actually and readily effect it. 36. Dote - Their soothsayers and wizards shall dote, not foreseeing what will be. Dismayed - Their hearts shall fail them when this day comes.
37. Horses - Through they be full of chariots and horses, the enemy shall destroy them. Mingled people - People that were not native Chaldeans, but under their dominion.
38. Dried - This phrase has a plain reference to Cyrus's stratagem used in the surprize of Babylon; one part of it was fortified by the great river Euphrates, which Cyrus diverted by cutting several channels, 'till he had drained it so low, that it became passable for his army; others think that a want of rain is here threatened.
40. No man - Cyrus only made them tributaries, and took away their government. But Seleucus Nicanor, a Grecian prince, utterly destroyed Babylon, so that in the time of Adrian the Roman emperor, there was nothing left standing of that great city.
The severe judgment of God against voluptuous, covetous, tyrannical and idolatrous Babel, in the revenge, and for the redemption of Israel, ver. 1-58. Jeremiah delivers the book of this prophecy to Seraiah, to be cast into Euphrates, in token of the perpetual sinking of Babylon, ver. 59-64.
5. Forsaken - Not utterly forsaken. 6. Soul - By soul is meant life, and by iniquity the punishment of the Babylonian's iniquity. 7. Drunken - She had made all the nations about her drunken with the Lord's fury. Mad - Through the misery they felt from her.
9. We - The prophet seems to personate the mercenary soldiers, saying, they would have helped Babylon, but there was no healing for her.
10. Some - These words are spoken in the person of the Jews, owning the destruction of Babylon to be the mighty work of God, and an act of justice, revenging the wrongs of his people.
12. Set up - These seem to be the prophet's words to the Babylonians, rousing them out of their security. Historians tell us that the city was fortified by walls of fifty cubits high, and two hundred cubits broad, and by a very deep and large ditch.
13. Waters - Babylon is said to dwell upon many waters, because the great river Euphrates, did not only run by it, but almost encompass it branching itself into many smaller rivers, which made several parts of the city, islands.
23. Break in pieces - The sense of all these three verses is the same; that God had made use, and was still making use of the Babylonians to destroy many nations, to spoil much people, wasting their goods, routing their armies, killing all sorts of their inhabitants.
25. Mountain - Babylon was very high for its power, and greatness, and had very high walls and towers, that it looked at a distance like an high rocky mountain. They had destroyed many people. Burnt - Thy cities and towers which appear like a mountain shall be burnt.
27. As caterpillars - The Median horses are compared to their insects, either with respect to their numbers, or in regard of the terror caused by them when they came, being a great plague to the places which they infected.
29. The land - Babylon, or the land of Chaldea. 31. At one end - Cyrus entered the city at one end, by the channel of the river, which he had drained, and surprized Belshazzar in the midst of his feast.
32. The passages - The passages over the river Euphrates, and all the other passages by which the Babylonians might make their escape, were guarded with soldiers. Reeds - On the border of the river Euphrates were vast quantities of great and tall reeds, which with the mud in which they stood, were as another wall to the city; but the Medes had burnt them so as the way was open.
33. Threshing floor - Babylon had been a threshing instrument, by which, and a threshing-floor in which God had threshed many other nations; God now intended to make it as a threshing-floor wherein he would thresh the Chaldeans. Tread her - So they used to prepare their threshing-floors against the time of harvest. The time - The harvest which the justice of God would have from the ruin of the Chaldeans.
34. Me - The prophet speaks this in the name of the Jews. Cast me out - As beasts of prey eat what they please of other beasts they have preyed upon, and leave the rest in the field.
36. Dry up - Alluding to what Cyrus did. 38. They - The Babylonians, upon the taking of their city. 39. Heat - When they shall grow hot with wine, I will make them a feast of another nature. Interpreters judge that Belshazzar, Dan. v, 1, made a feast to a thousand of his Lords, when he and his wives, and concubines, drank wine in the vessels belonging to the temple, during which feast the city was taken. And not awake - While they were merry with their wine, they fell into a sleep which they never awoke out of.
41. Sheshach - A name given to the city of Babylon. 42. The sea - A multitude of enemies. 44. Bel - Bel was the principal Babylonian idol. Bring forth - All the vessels of the temple, 2 Chron. xxxvi, 7, and whatever gifts the Babylonians had presented to him. The wall - And the city of Babylon shall be also ruined.
45. Go out of her - At all hazards escape for your lives. 48. Then - All the creatures in heaven and earth shall rejoice at the vengeance which God shall take upon Babylon.
49. Of all the earth - This term must be understood in a restrained sense; the Chaldeans coming up from all parts of Chaldea to help Babylon, were slain there, as by the means of Babylon the Israelites were slain that came from all parts of Judea to help Jerusalem.
50. Ye - Ye Jews, leave Babylon as soon as liberty is proclaimed. Remember - And remember in Judea the great things both of justice and mercy which God hath done.
51. We - We Jews are ashamed to hear the enemies reproaching us, for our God, or for our religion. Strangers - Pagans that were strangers to the commonwealth of Israel, are come, not to worship, but to plunder, the sanctuaries of the Lord; even into the courts of the priests and of the Israelites; yea, into the most holy place.
52. Wherefore - For this profanation of my holy place, I will be revenged not only upon their idols, but upon the worshippers of them, and cause a groaning of wounded men over all the country of the Chaldeans.
55. The great voice - The noises caused from multitudes of people walking up and trafficking together. A noise - The noise of her enemies that shall break in upon her shall be like the roaring of the sea.
56. Because - Little more is said here than was before, only the words hint the taking of Babylon by a surprize when the king, and the inhabitants were not aware of it, which we had before also told us, ver. 39, 40. Requite - The wrongs done to his people.
57. Drunk - A plain allusion to the posture the king of Babylon, and the thousand of his lords were in, when their city was taken while they were drinking wine in the bowls that were brought from the temple at Jerusalem.
58. Weary - Though the people should labour to quench this fire, or to rebuild this city, yet it would be all lost labour.
59. In the fourth year - This circumstance lets us know that this prophecy was many years before Babylon was destroyed; for it was seven years before Jerusalem was taken; so as it must be above sixty years before it was fulfilled in the first degree.
61. Shalt read - Probably to the Jews, that were in Babylon.
62. Shalt say - Thou shalt testify that thou believest what thou hast read. 64. Weary - With that weight of judgment which shall be upon them. The words - The prophetical words of Jeremiah; for the matter of the next chapter is historical, and the book of Lam. is not prophetical.
LII
A repetition of the reign of Zedekiah: of the siege, taking, and destruction of Jerusalem, with the causes thereof, and what farther happened there, ver. 1-30. Evil-merodach advances Jehoiakim, ver. 31-34.
2. Zedekiah - It is generally thought that this chapter was not penned by Jeremiah, who, it is not probable, would have so largely repeated what he had related before; and could not historically relate what happened after his time, as some things did which are mentioned towards the end of the chapter. Probably it was penned by some of those in Babylon, and put in here as a preface to the book of Lamentations.
24. Three - It is probable there were more keepers of the door, but the captain of the guard took only three of the chief.
30. All the persons were four thousand and six hundred - How amazingly were the Jews diminished, that this handful was all who were carried captive!
34. All the days of his life - Here ends the history of the kingdom of Judah. I shall only observe the severe judgment of God upon this people, whose kingdom was made up of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and half the tribe of Manasseh. In the numbering of the persons belonging to these two tribes, Num. i, 27, 35, 37, (counting half of the number of the tribe of Manasseh) we find one hundred twenty-six thousand one hundred: Num. xxvi, 22, 34, 41, we find of them one hundred forty-eight thousand four hundred and fifty. Here, ver. lii, 30, we find no more of them carried into captivity, than four thousand and six hundred. From whence we may judge what a multitude of them were slain by the sword, by the famine, and pestilence! It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, to mock his messengers, despise his words, and misuse his prophets, 'till there be no remedy, 2 Chron. xxxvi, 16.
NOTES ON THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH
THIS book in Greek, Latin, and English, has its name from the subject matter of it, which is Lamentation. So also among the Hebrew writers; but in the Hebrew it takes its name from the first word of the book, as the five books of Moses have. That it was wrote by Jeremiah none can question, because in the Hebrew it is styled, The book of Jeremiah. There is little controversy about the time, or occasion of writing it. That the occasion was the miseries of the people, by reason of the famine,
sword, and captivity, is evident. Probably Jeremiah began to write upon the death of Josiah, and continued to the time of the captivity, setting down all the miseries the people suffered all along to that time. The design of the writing, as to those whom it immediately concerned, is plain and obvious, namely, to affect the people with those judgments which came upon them for their sins: as to us (upon whom the ends of the world are come) to mind us to take heed of their sins, lest we be sharers in their plagues. The book is made up of complaints of their lamentable condition; petitions to God for mercy; and prophecies both of their better estate, and the ruin of their enemies. In the four first chapters are several alphabets of letters beginning the several verses, each verse beginning with a new letter, only chap. 3, every three verses begin with a new letter. It seems the chapters were so composed, for the advantage of their memories. The whole book lets us see from what an height of dignity, to what a depth misery sin may bring a nation, how much soever interested in God; and directs us to our duty in a state of affliction.
Jeremiah laments the former excellency and present misery of Jerusalem for her sin, ver. 1-11. She complains of her grief, ver. 12-17. Confesses God's judgments to be righteous: and prays to him, ver. 18-22.
1. A widow - She that had a king, or rather a God, that was an husband to her, now was forsaken of God, and her king taken from her.
3. Because - Because of the servitude and oppression exercised among them: oppression by their rulers, and servitude more generally; keeping their servants beyond the year of jubilee, when they ought to be set at liberty. The straits - Those that pursued them overtook them in places where they could not escape.
4. She - Persons of all ages and ranks are in bitterness. 10. Pleasant things - Has laid violent hands on them. The things of the sanctuary were always pleasant things to those that feared God.
11. Bread - Even in a land that ordinarily flowed with milk and honey, they were at a loss for bread to eat. Given - And gave any thing for something to satisfy their hunger. Vile - Miserable or contemptible.
12. Is it nothing - The prophet speaks in the name of the Jewish church. 13. Fire - A judgment as consuming, and afflictive as fire. 14. Is bound - Put upon my neck on account of my transgressions. Wreathed - My punishments are twisted as cords; I have a complication of judgments upon me, sword, famine, pestilence, captivity.
15. An assembly - God had called an assembly of Chaldeans against the city, to crush the inhabitants of it. Trodden - God had trodden upon the Jews as men use to stamp grapes in a winepress.
16. The comforter - God. 17. Jerusalem - Is become loathsome and filthy.
19. Deceived - They did not answer my expectation. 20. Death - By famine and pestilence. 21. They - The neighbouring nations. Like me - But thou hast foretold their destruction also, and hast by me proclaimed it: and thou shalt in that day bring them into as sad a condition as I am in now.
Jeremiah laments the misery of Jerusalem, and its causes, and their enemies derision, ver. 1-17. An exhortation to true sorrow and repentance, and a fervent prayer, ver. 18-22.
1. His footstool - His temple; but suffered the Chaldeans to destroy it. Cast down - That is, thrown them down from the highest glory and honour, to the meanest degree of servitude.
2. Polluted - Dealt with them as with a polluted thing; cast them off, brake them in pieces. 3. The horn - All their beauty and strength. Drawn back - God hath drawn back his assistance which he was wont to give the Jews against their enemies. Round about - God consumed them, not in this or that part, but round about, as a fire seizing an house at once on all sides.
4. He - That is, God, (whom by their sins they had provoked and made their enemy) behaved himself as an enemy. And slew - All their young men, and maidens who were pleasant to look upon.
6. His tabernacle - His temple. The places - The synagogues. The king - By the king and the priests are meant persons of greatest rank and eminency, though it is thought here is a special reference to Zedekiah the king of Judah, and Seraiah who was the high priest; the former of which was miserably handled, the latter slain.
7. They - The enemies with their triumphs and blasphemies, made as great a noise, as those that sang holy songs, or played on instruments, were wont to make to the glory of God.
8. The wall - The strength and security of the Jews. A line - Artificers used with lines not only to mark out places for building, but also for destruction, to direct them what to cut off; and such a line is here meant.
9. Among the Gentiles - In miserable captivity. The law - Is no more read, opened or observed. Her prophets - They had but very few prophets, from this time to the time of the gospel, and very few of those at this time alive had any Revelation from God.
10. The virgins - The whole city is in a mournful posture. 11. Mine eyes - This whole verse is but expressive of the prophets great affliction for the miseries come upon the Jews. He wept himself almost blind. Bowels - His passion had disturbed his bodily humours, that his bowels were troubled. Liver - His gall lying under his liver. All these are expressions of great affliction and sorrow. Swoon - During the famine, occasioned by the long siege.
12. Bosom - When they died in their mother's arms.
13. Who - There was no people whose condition was in any degree parallel to the misery of the Jews: nor was there any cure for them, their breach was like a sea breach where the waters come in with such a torrent, that there is no making any defense against them.
14. The prophets - False prophets told you vain stories. Not discovered - Whereas they ought to have made you sensible of your sins, and this might have prevented your captivity. False burdens - False stories to encourage you in sin, and so cause your banishment.
18. O wall - That is, those that are upon it. 20. Whom - Not the Heathen, but to thy own people. Women - Wilt thou suffer women to satisfy their hunger with the fruit of their own bodies?
22. My terrors - As my people were wont to be called together from all parts in a solemn day, so now my terrible enemies, or terrible things are by thee called together.
The faithful bewail their misery, ver. 1-21. They nourish their hope by considering the justice, providence, and mercies of God, ver. 22-36. They stir up themselves to repentance, patience, prayers and confidence of deliverance for themselves, and divine vengeance on their enemies, ver. 37-66.
1. I am the man - It seems, this is spoken in the name of the people, who were before set out under the notion of a woman.
4. Made old - All my beauty is gone, and all my strength. 5. Builded - He hath built forts and batteries against my walls and houses. 9. Enclosed - He has defeated all my methods and counsels for security, by insuperable difficulties like walls of hewn stone. Crooked - Nay, God not only defeated their counsels, but made them fatal and pernicious to them.
15. Wormwood - With severe and bitter dispensations. 16. Ashes - Mourners were wont to throw ashes on their heads. 19. Wormwood - Wormwood and gall, are often made use of to signify great affliction. 21. This - Which follows, concerning the nature of God, and his good providences. 23. Faithfulness - In fulfilling thy promises to thy people. 27. Bear - Quietly and patiently to bear what afflictions God will please to lay upon us. And if God tame us when young, by his word or by his rod, it is an unspeakable advantage.
28. Born it - That he keep his soul in subjection to God, because God hath humbled him by his rod.
29. In the dust - Both this and the former verses let us know the duty of persons under afflictions. 33. Willingly - Not from his own mere motion without a cause given him from the persons afflicted. Hence judgment is called God's strange work.
36. To subvert - Here are three things mentioned, which God approveth not. 37. Who - Nothing comes to pass in the world, but by the disposal of divine providence. This seems to be spoken in the name of the people of God, arguing themselves into a quiet submission, to their afflictions, from the consideration of the hand of God in them.
38. Evil - Doth not evil or trouble come out of God's mouth from his direction, and providence, as well as good?
39. Wherefore - The Jews, check themselves in their complaints from the consideration, that nothing had befallen them, but what was the just reward of their sins.
42. Thou - Thou hast plagued us according to the just desert of our sins. 49. Mine eye - The prophet speaks this of himself. 53. Dungeon - Dungeon seems here to be taken for the lowest condition of misery. 54. Cut off - I am undone, there is no hope for me. 56. Heard - In former afflictions. Hide not - Shew me now the same favour. 58. O Lord - Thou hast been wont to take my part against my enemies. 60. Seen - Thou hast been a witness to all their fury. 63. I am - At feasts, and at their merry meetings, I am all the subject of their discourse. 66. Persecute - Many passages of this nature which we meet with are prophecies, some of them may be both prophecies and prayers.
Zion bewaileth her misery: confesseth her sins, ver. 1-6. Miseries of the chief ones: women who killed and dressed their own children, ver. 7-12. The sin of the false prophets and priests, their vain hope, ver. 13-19. Their king taken prisoner, ver. 20. Edom is threatened, and Zion comforted, ver. 21, 22.
1. The top - Are scattered in the head of every street. 2. Earthen pitchers - The nobles, the priests, and the good men, are looked upon no better than earthen vessels, the workmanship of an ordinary potter.
3. Cruel - The Jewish women are become cruel to their children, or forced to appear so, having through the famine no milk to give them, nor any thing to relieve them. Ostriches - Like ostriches that lay their eggs, and leave them in the sand.
6. Of Sodom - Their punishment was greater, because more lingering, and gradual, whereas Sodom was overthrown in a moment, and that by no human hands that abode upon her, causing her a continued torment.
7. Nazarites - Her Nazarites in this place signify her separated ones, who either in respect of birth, education, estate, or place of magistracy, were distinguished from the rest of the people.
8. Not known - So that those who before knew them, do not know them now. 13. Priests - The ecclesiastical men were a great cause of the first and last destruction of Jerusalem. And so they are of most other places that come to ruin, through their neglect of their duty, or encouraging others in their wicked courses.
14. They - The prophets and priests wandered up and down the streets polluting themselves with blood, either the blood of the children which they slew, or the just men, mentioned ver. 13, the slaughter of whom they either encouraged, or at least did not discourage; so that one could not
touch a prophet or priest, but he must be legally polluted, and there were so many of them, that men could not walk in the streets, but he must touch some of them.
15. Touch not - The Jews that made conscience of keeping the law against touching dead bodies, cried to the other Jews to leave the city as themselves did, the city being now so full of dead bodies that they could not stay in it without polluting themselves.
16. The anger - These words seem to be the language of their enemies triumphing over them. They - Their enemies had no regard to the most venerable persons among them.
17. A nation - The Egyptians. 18. They - The Chaldeans. 20. The anointed - Zedekiah, who though a bad man yet afforded some protection to the Jews. We said - We promised ourselves that though the land of Judah was encompassed with Pagan nations, yet through Zedekiah's valour and good conduct we should live comfortably.
21. Rejoice - The prophet speaks ironically, Rejoice; but thy joy shall be but for a little time. Drunken - Thou shalt be intoxicated with it, and make thyself naked as drunken men sometimes do.
22. Captivity - Not for thy past sins. Thy sins - By the punishment of them.
An humble prayer, presenting to the Lord their great misery, ver. 1-15. Confessing their sins, ver. 16-18. Imploring deliverance, ver. 19-22.
3. We - We are all of us without a king, (our common father) we are deprived of thy fatherly protection, and many young children among us are left without an earthly parent.
4. Sold - Whereas at other times there was abundance of wood and water throughout Judea. 6. We - The ten tribes were all carried captives into Assyria, and many of the kingdom of Judah fled into Egypt. Giving the hand may signify labouring for them: or, yielding up themselves to their power.
7. Their iniquities - The punishment of them. 9. The sword - The enemies lay encamped in all the plains, so that they could stir out no way but the sword of the Chaldeans was upon them.
13. Fell - Not being able to stand under the burdens laid upon them. 16. The crown - All our honour, splendour and dignity. 19. Thy throne - Altho' for our sins thou sufferest our throne to be cast down, yet thou art the same, thy power is not diminished, nor thy goodness abated.
21. Renew - Restore us to our former estate.
NOTES ON THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL
THE name Ezekiel signifies, The strength of God. And God did indeed make his face strong against all opposition. It was the tradition of the Jews, that for his boldness and faithfulness in reproving them, he was put to death by the captives in Babylon. The prophecies of this book were spoken and written in Babylon, to the Jews who were captives there. Ezekiel prophesied in the beginning of their captivity, to convince them when they were secure and unhumbled; Daniel, in the latter end of it, to comfort them, when they were dejected and discouraged. There is much in this book which is very mysterious, especially in the beginning and latter end of it. But tho' the visions are intricate, the sermons are plain, and the design of them is, to shew God's people their transgressions. And tho' the reproofs and threatenings are very sharp, yet toward the close we have very comfortable promises, to be fulfilled in the kingdom of the Messiah, of whom indeed Ezekiel speaks less than almost any of the prophets. The visions, which are his credentials, we have, chap. 1-3. The reproofs and threatenings, chap. 4-24. We have messages sent to the neighbouring nations, foretelling their destruction, chap. 2535. To make way for the restoration of Israel, and the reestablishment of their city and temple, which are foretold, chap. 36-48.
The time when this prophecy was delivered, the place where, and person by whom, ver. 1-3. His vision of the glory of God, in his attendance, surrounded with angels, (here called living creatures) ver. 4-14. In his providences, represented by the wheels and their motions, ver. 15-26. And in the face of Jesus Christ, sitting upon the throne, ver. 26-28.
1. Thirtieth year - From the finding the book of the law in the eighteenth year of Josiah, from which date to the fifth year of the captivity are thirty years. Fifth day - Probably it was the sabbathday, when the Jews were at leisure to hear the prophet. River - Perhaps retiring thither to lament their own sins, and Jerusalem's desolation. Chebar - A river now called Giulap, arising out of the mountain Masius, and falling into Euphrates, somewhat below a city called by the same name.
2. The month - Thamus, as ver. 1, answering to our June and July. Fifth year - This account observed will guide us in computing the times referred to ver. 1. These five of Jehoiachin, and the eleven of his predecessor, added to fourteen of Josiah's reign, after he found the law, make up thirty years, ver.
1. Jehoiachin - Who is also called Jechoniah, and Coniah. It may be of use to keep an account, when and where God has manifested himself to us in a peculiar manner. Remember, O my soul, what thou didst receive at such a time, at such a place: tell others what God did for thee.
3. The word - What was visions, ver. 1, is here the word, both as signifying and declaring the mind of God, what he would do, and as continuing his commands to Ezekiel and to the people. Ezekiel - He speaks of himself in a third person. Priest - He was of the priests originally; he was a prophet by an extraordinary call. The hand - He felt the power of God opening his eyes to see the
visions, opening his ear to hear the voice, and his heart to receive both. When the hand of the Lord goes along with his word, then it becomes effectual.
4. Looked - I very diligently surveyed the things that were represented to me in the vision. Whirlwind - This denotes the indignation and judgments of God; a quick, impetuous and irresistible vengeance. North - From Babylon, which lay northward from Judea; and the prophet, tho' now in Babylon, speaks of the Jews, as if they were in Jerusalem. A fire - An orb or wheel of fire: God being his own cause, his own rule, and his own end. Brightness - Yet round about it was not smoak and darkness, but a clear light. The midst - Of the fire.
5. The likeness - Such a representation of the holy angels as God saw fit to make use of, came out of the midst of the fire: for angels derive their being and power from God: their glory is a ray of his.
6. Wings - With two they flew, denoting the speed of their obedience; and with two they covered their body, denoting their reverence.
7. Feet - Their thighs, legs and feet, were of a human shape. Straight - Not bowed to this or that part, which argues weakness. The sole - That which is properly the foot. A calf's - A divided hoof spake the cleanness of the creature. They - Their feet.
8. Under - Their power and manner of exerting it is secret and invisible. Sides - On each side of the chariot one of these living creatures flood, and so on each side hands were ready to act as they were moved. They four - It is doubled to confirm the truth and certainty of the thing.
9. Their wings - The wings of the two cherubim which went foremost, and the wings of the two hindermost, were joined together when they moved. Went - This explains the former words, assuring us, that every one of those living creatures are ready, and unwearied in doing the pleasure of their Creator.
10. A man - Each face is compared to what is most excellent in its kind, man excels in wisdom, lions in strength, the ox in patience and constancy of labour, the eagle in speed and high flight.
11. Divided - So each face appeared distinct above the shoulders, and there the wings divided from each other were united to the body of the living creature.
12. Straight - Which way soever they went, each living creature had one face looking straight forward. The spirit - The will, command, and breathing of the Spirit of God, both gave and guided their motions. Was to go - Going is attributed here to the Spirit of God, by allusion, for he who is in every place cannot properly be said to go from or to any place. Turned not - They looked not back, they turned not out of the way, they gave not over, 'till they had compleated their course.
13. The fire - This fire stood not still, but as the Hebrew is, Made itself walk up and down. It moved itself, which is too much to ascribe to creatures: God only moved all these living creatures.
14. Ran - They ran into the lower world, to do what was to be done there: and when they had done, returned as a flash of lightning, to the upper world, to the vision of God. Thus we should be in the affairs of this world: though we run into them we must not repose in them, but our souls must presently return like lightning, to God, their rest and center.
15. Living creatures - By each of the living creatures stood one wheel, so that they were four in number, according to the number of living creatures. Four faces - By this it appears, each wheel had its four faces. While he was contemplating the glory of the former vision, this other was presented to him: wherein the dispensations of providence are compared to the wheels of a machine, which all contribute to the regular motion of it. Providence orders, changes: sometimes one spoke of the wheel is uppermost, sometimes another. But the motion of the wheel on its own axle-tree,
is still regular and steady. And the wheel is said to be by the living creatures, who attend to direct its motion. For all inferior creatures are, and move, and act, as the Creator, by the ministration of angels directs and influences them: visible effects are managed and governed by invisible causes.
16. Work - All that was wrought, whether engraved or otherwise was of one colour. Beryl - A sea green. One likeness - The same for dimensions, colour, frame, and motion. In the middle - It is probable, the wheels were framed so as to be an exact sphere, which is easily rolled to any side.
17. They - The wheels. Four sides - The wheels being supposed round every way as a globe, by an exact framing of two wheels one in the other; the four semi-circles which are in two whole wheels, may be well taken for these four sides on which these wheels move, and such a wheel will readily be turned to all points of the compass. Returned not - They returned not 'till they came to their journey's end; nothing could divert them, or put them out of their course. So firm and sure are the methods, so unalterable and constant the purposes of God, and so invariable the obedience and observance of holy angels. So subject to the sovereign will of God are all second causes.