i k r 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and| 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflictcarried our sorrows; yet we did esteemed, yet he opened not his mouth: he is him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as 5 But he was wounded for our trans-a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he gressions, he was bruised for our iniqui- openeth not his mouth. ties: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6° All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. n 1 Pet. 224. † Heb. bruise. i 5,6,11,12. Matt. 8:17. Gal. I m 10. Gen. 3:15. o Ps. 119:176. Matt. 18:12—14. 1 Pet. 3:18. * Or, tormented. p 55:7. 56:11. Ez. 3:18. Jam. Heb. made the iniquities of [Practical Observations.] 8 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; ནཱ John 11:49-52. Heb. the stroke upon him. 1 Pet. 3:18. u Matt. 27:57-60. Mark 15: man of sorrows" and intimately "acquainted will confess, that they had wandered from with grief." The people hid their faces from God, as sheep from the fold, and must have him, as ashamed to own him; until at length been devoured by Satan the roaring lion, if his disciples denied or forsook him, and the the good Shepherd had not come to seek them: Jews, as with one consent, preferred a mur- every one of them has turned into that devious derer to him. Or he hid his face, as one cov- path, which was congenial to his depraved inered with confusion, or as concealing his glo- clination; but all had added the guilt of rebelry from them under this external abasement: lion, to the folly of forsaking their only Proso that, in every way, he was deemed unde- tector. (Notes, Ps. 23:1-3. 119:176. Ez. 34:11 serving of notice or estimation. (Marg. Ref.)-16. Zech. 13:7. Matt. 18:12,13. Luke 15:1–7.) From this text, Justin Martyr, Clemens Al- So that the justice of God must be satisfied, 'exandrinus, Tertullian, and others of the an- before the criminals could be again received 'cient fathers, concluded our Savior's person into his favor and under his care: and there'to have been deformed, an opinion in my fore JEHOVAH laid, or "caused to meet," upon judgment not at all probable: in the fourth Christ the Surety, not the punishment only, and following centuries, a quite contrary no- but the iniquity, of them all, imputing it to 'tion was advanced, ... that Christ was a per- him, and requiring of him satisfaction for it. 'son of extraordinary comeliness. (Ps. 45:3.) (Note, 2 Cor. 5:18-21, v. 21.)-The word (ren... From these two contrary opinions, we may dered carried,) 'signifies properly to have in'conclude, that the making or setting up the 'iquity laid upon one as a burden, which is 'image, or the picture of Christ, was no part of the same with undergoing the punishment of religious worship in the early ages of Chris-it. So it is used Lam. 5:7. "Our fathers have 'tianity.' Lowth. 'sinned and not, and we have borne their inV. 4-6. The prophet, in the name of all be-iquities," that is, we have been punished in lievers, in every age and nation, here breaks their stead. See 11.' Lowth. The modern forth in admiration of the love of Christ, and Jews, to evade the arguments for Christianity the mystery of his vicarious sufferings. As deduced from this chapter, explain it, as speakevery kind of disease and misery springs from ing of Israel, and his oppressions and suffersin; so when Christ endured hardship in alle-ings: but it is evident on the most cursory viating these miseries, by healing men's dis-reading, that three distinct persons, or comeases, it might properly be considered as a ful- panies, are adduced. One the innocent holy filment of this prophecy, and a part of his gen- sufferer; another the guilty, whose punisheral design. (Vote, Mait. 8:16,17.) He endured ment he endured, whose burden of guilt was our griefs and sorrows, becoming a sufferer to laid upon him; and the other, the oppressors redeem us from eternal sufferings: and this, and despisers of the holy sufferer, by whom he which should for ever endear him to mankind, was persecuted, sacrificed, and finally rejectcaused the Jews to mistake his character, and ed. to suppose that he was smitten of God, because he was a most atrocious sinner; as Job's friends construed his calamities into a proof of his undetected guilt: and numbers, who have at length become his disciples, were once of the same opinion. He was indeed "wounded," but it was not for his own, but for our, transgressions: he was crushed with most intense agonies of body and soul, but it was "for our iniquities." To make our peace with God, he who was Holy and Beloved consented to bear our punishment, as if it had been a fatherly chastisement; (Note, John 18:10-14, v. 11.) and his stripes avail for the pardon, and healing, or sanctification, of our souls. (Note, 1 Pet. 2:18-25, vv. 24,25.) All the elect people of God are brought to confess, and the whole company of the redeemed in heaven V. 7. More literally, "It was exacted, and he answered." Bp. Louth. Our debt was exacted of our Surety, and he became answerable for it. And therefore, he opened not his mouth to plead for himself, but stood speechless before man's tribunal, that we might have a prevailing plea before that of God. (Notes, Matt. 26:63-68. 27:11-18. John 19:8-12.) He was led, patient, gentle, and innocent, like a lamb to be slaughtered for the food, or sacrificed for the offences, of others; and like a sheep when deprived of its fleece, that others may be clothed with it. (Note, Acts 8:32-35.) V. 8. The chief priests and scribes did not cast our Lord into prison, and then after a time give him a fair trial, according to law and custom: but without delay, they delivered him to Pilate, and urged his immediate execution. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. b x 2 Cor. 5:21. Heb. 4:15. 7:26. 1 Pet. 2:22. 1 John 3:5. y 42:1. Matt. 3.17. 17:5. z Ps. 69:26. Zech. 13:7. Rom. 8:32. Gal. 3:13. 1 John 4:9, 10. Or, when his soul shall make an offering for sin. a Dan. 9:24. Rom. 8:3. 2 Cor. 5:21. Eph. 5:2. Heb. 7:27. 9:14,25,26. 10:6-12. 13:10-12. b Ps. 22:30, 45.16,17. 110:3. John 12:24. Heb. 2:13. c 9:7. Ps. 16:9-11. 21:4. 72:17. 24. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: " and he was numbered with the transgress e Luke 22:44. John 12:24,27-1 f John 17:3. 2 Cor. 4:6. Phil. g 42:1. 49:3. 1 John 2.1. b 45:25. Rom. 3:22-24. 4:24, i See on 4-6.-8,12. Matt. 20: ders its exact accomplishment the more remarkable. Some connect the latter clause with what follows, and render it; "Though he had done, &c. yet it pleased the LORD:" he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth; so that Pilate, when he delivered him to be crucified, declared that he found no fault in him: "yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him." The Father, who was well pleased in him, took pleasure in bruising him with anguish of spirit; because this was for the display of his own glory, and the honor of his law. So that, he not only permitted his enemies cruelly to insult and torment him; but he put him to grief by his own hand, and made "his soul exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death." Thus "his soul," or life, was "made an offering for sin:" not only was his blood shed, as that of the sacrifices used to be; but he endured the feeling of the wrath of God due to our sins, which the fire from heaven, consuming on the altar the inwards or bodies of the sacrifices, typified. In consequence of this, it was foretold, that he would see a numerous spiritual offspring, the fruit of all his toil and pain: (Notes, 8:18. 59: Thus "he was taken from prison," (being in|| probably Pilate would not have consented, to confinement only a few hours,) "and from deliver up the body of a crucified malefactor. judgment; and who shall declare his genera--The designed obscurity of the prophecy rention?"-The ancient fathers generally interpreted this of his miraculous conception, or his eternal generation. Who shall declare his descent from David, and his birth at Bethlehem the city of David? Who shall shew, that he was not only the Son of David, but the only begotten Son of God?-But the original word for generation, is seldom, if ever, used in this sense: so that modern interpreters generally dissent from the ancients; and some render it, "His manner of life who shall declare?" None was called, or admitted, to bear witness to his character, as it was customary in criminal causes. But, as the word, rendered "generation," means the time during which an individual, or a number of contemporaries, live; the passage may mean, "Who shall declare, how long his age shall last?" Though he died 'for sin, yet after his resurrection he shall live 'for ever." "I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen: and have the keys of hell, and of death." (Notes, 9,10. Rev. 1:12-20, v. 18.) Other kings and priests finished their course by death; but he is a King and a High Priest for ever. Yet, who stood forward, previous to his crucifix-20,21. ion, to declare this? For it pleased God that he should "be cut off out of the land of the living," in a violent and illegal manner; because, "for the transgression of his people," "the stroke," or punishment, "was on him." Ps. 22:30,31. Heb. 2:10—15. 1 Pet. 2: 9,19.) for he would rise again from the dead, and "then prolong his days;" and "the pleasure of the LORD," in converting and saving sinners, would prosper in his powerful and gracious hands. This is a prediction of his resurrection Generation.] . 'Generatio, ætas: est primo, and subsequent glory, equally clear with that 'multitudo hominum adultorum unà viventium: of his sufferings. (Note, John 12:23-26, v. 24.) vel secundo, tempus quo quis est inter hom--The interpretation of the clause, “It pleased ines, tempus vita; quo scilicet homo peregrinatur in mundo.' Robertson.-"His man'ner of life who would declare?" ... sig'nifies age, duration, the time which one man 'or many together pass in this world: in this 'place, the course, tenor, or manner of life.' Bp. Lowth. If so, it has, in this place' a signification, which it bears in no other text of the Hebrew Bible. ... the LORD to bruise him," as given by many expositors, has been objected to; because the Septuagint does not use the same word in translating this passage, with which the Evangelist records the voice from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." But when it is duly considered, that the Hebrew word is frequently used for the highest kind and degree of satisfaction; the objection must V. 9, 10. "A grave was appointed for him vanish. (Gen. 34:19. Num. 14:8. Mic. 7:18. with the wicked; but he was with a rich man Heb.-Notes, 42:21. 62:1-5.)—' notes the at his death, because he, &c." As our Lord highest content that may be, to wit, delight; ... was crucified between two thieves, it was it is the same with Eudok. Leigh. The noun, doubtless intended, that he should be buried directly formed from it, is used in the concluwith them. Thus "his grave was appointed with the wicked;" but Joseph of Arimatheading words, "The pleasure of the LORD, &c." came and asked for his body, and Pilate readily (Eph. 1:5,9. 2 Thes. 1:11. Luke 12:32. Gr.) granted Joseph's request. Thus "he was with In his death. (9) "Was his tomb." Bp. Lowth. a rich man at his death," that is, till his resur--The original word may be formed from rection: and his burial took place, contrary to the intention of his enemies, "because he had done no violence, &c." for otherwise Joseph would scarcely have requested Pilate, and another root, and mean an elevated place, as sepulchres generally were in those ages and places. The variation does not at all alter the meaning. ors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. n See on 11.-1 Tim. 2:5,6, Tit. 2:14. Heb. 9:26,28. o Luke 23:34. Rom. 8:34. Heb. 7:25. 9:24. 1 John 2:1,12. V. 11, 12. JEHOVAH here declares that the dom of God," has been made known; his Spirit Messiah should see such abundant effect of his bas enlightened their minds, and humbled and agonies and death, "the travail of his soul," changed their hearts; and thus they have seen that he would be fully satisfied and rejoice in his glory, and supremely value his salvation. it. His gospel would make known his person, To others the whole appears contemptible; love, righteousness, atonement, and salvation: "the preaching of his cross is foolishness;" and and thus "by the knowledge of him, he would a life of obedience to his precepts is madness justify many;" (Notes, John 17:1-3. Phil. 3:8 or preciseness, a want of taste and spirit, the -11.) "having borne their sins in his own body result of bigotry and fanaticism, and a certain on the tree." "Because he had poured out his indication of a weak understanding and a soul unto death," and, though perfectly right- narrow mind! They "see no form or comelieous, had submitted to be "numbered withness" in the character of Christ; as delineated transgressors," or malefactors, and to "hear the in scripture, and exemplified by his true discisins of many," that he might become their In- ples; nor is there "any excellency in him, that tercessor; therefore the Father would surely they should desire him" and seek after him. grant unto him an immense multitude of sin- He is still despised in his people, and rejected ners to be saved and ruled by him, who before of men as to his doctrine and authority: and in were the slaves of Satan, and must have con- very many companies of professed Christians, tinued to belong to that potent enemy of God even in the most respectable circles, an open and man; and he should have "all power in declaration of our faith in Christ, and love to heaven and earth," to enable him to rescue all his name and cause, would excite disgust and who had been given to him, and to complete scorn. We may indeed well endure our lighter their salvation. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, 49:7,8,24 sufferings; if he have taught us to esteem all -26. John 6:36-40. Eph. 1:15--23. Col. 2: things but loss for him, and "to love him who 13--15. Rev. 7:9--12.)--This prophecy, deliv- hath so loved us." He willingly bare our ered at least seven hundred years before the griefs when we were enemies, and shall we birth of Christ, and coinciding so exactly with repine at bearing our cross for the sake of such the history of his sufferings and death; the de-a generous Friend? Should we be treated as sign and object of them, as recorded and as- the vilest of mankind, and counted the peculiar signed in the New Testament; and the effect objects of the divine abhorrence; let us reof them, as it has been evidently produced for member him, who "endured the contradiction almost eighteen hundred years, constitutes a of sinners against himself, lest we be weary most unanswerable demonstration, not only of and faint in our minds." (Note, Heb. 12:2,3.) the truth of the scriptures, but also of the Let us often retire, in contemplation, to Gethgreat doctrines of the gospel. Nor is this in semane and Golgotha: and, whilst we survey the least invalidated by the infidelity of the the sufferings of the Son of God, let us review Jews, who, deeming this to be the word of our long catalogue of former and later transGod by Isaiah, can see nothing of Jesus in it; gressions, and consider him as scourged, but adopt the grossest absurdities imaginable, wounded, bruised, insulted, and crucified; as in order to make out some other interpreta- agonizing, bleeding, and dying, under the load tions: for "the veil is upon their hearts; but of our guilt. Thus we shall learn to hate and when they shall be turned to the Lord, it shall to mortify sin: we shall understand our oblibe taken away." (Note, 2 Cor. 3:12--16.) In-gations to our gracious Friend, and be condeed their unbelief also is most expressly pre-strained by love to live to his glory. (Notes, 2 dicted, at the opening of the chapter; so that Cor. 5:13--15. Gal. 6:11--14, v. 14.) In this it may "turn to us for a testimony."--It has we are all concerned; for we have all gone lately been publicly declared by a Jew who astray from God, though in different ways; professed and preached Christianity, that the and we must all have perished, had not the Rabbies forbid the people to read this chapter, good Shepherd come to seek and save us; and with dreadful denunciations; and the assertion willingly borne the load of our iniquity, which has not been publicly and explicitly contra- would have been far too heavy for us to bear, dicted. and under which we must have sunk for ever, as all unbelievers most certainly will. debt was "exacted of him," and he paid "the uttermost farthing," and in doing this, "he was led as a lamb to the slaughter:" and shall we, who deserve the final wrath of God, be impatient, "like a wild bull in a net," under our light afflictions? Let us then prove, that we rely on his atonement alone, by copying his example of meekness and submission; however we may be chastised of God, or oppressed and despised by men. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-7. V. 8--12. Our Whilst every vague, unimportant, and improbable report is greedily drunk in by the absurd credulity of mankind; the most interesting and completely authenticated report of salvation for sinners, through the incarnate Son of God, is almost universally rejected or disregarded! We have to this day lamentable cause to complain, and to wonder, that so few believe it: and we may profitably inquire, who they are that do so. Not many of the noble, We may comfortably leave all the circumthe wealthy, the learned of the world; not all, stances of our death to the merciful Savior: he who are called by the name of Christ, and has sanctified every way of dying and every profess his religion; not the covetous, the place of sepulture, whether we make our grave sensual, the dissipated, the proud and ambi- with the wicked, or be with the rich and hontious, the cruel and oppressive: but a small orable in our death. However we may suffer company, who are "poor in spirit," mourning with evil-doers; yet if we "do no violence and for sin, renouncing the world, devoted to God, speak no guile," nothing can hurt us. (Notes, 1 following after holiness, meek, peaceable, for- Pet. 3:13-18. 4:12--16.) If it should please the giving, inoffensive, and benevolent; yet de- Lord to prove our faith and patience, by grievspised, and reviled as their Savior was. To ous and complicated distresses, or to cut us them, "Christ, the Power of God and the Wis-off by sudden or violent death: the Redeemer's CHAP. LIV. Predictions that the church shall be exceedingly enlarged by the conversion of the Gentiles: with promises of great honor and happiness to her, as espoused by God, 1-5. Encouraging assurances of deliverance from affliction, perpetual mercy, prosperity, and victory over every enemy, to the church, and to every servant of God, 6-17. b ING, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate, than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; and thy seed right hand and on the left; 4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5 Forthy Maker is thine Husband; (the LORD of hosts is his name;) and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel: The God of the whole earth shall he be called. [Practical Observations.] 6 For the LORD hath called thee as "a 3 For thou shalt break forth on the f 49:18. 55:5. 60:10-13. 61:5-9. | 3:29. 2 Cor. 11:2,3. Eph. 5: g 49:8,19. 52:9. Ez. 36:35,36. i Jer. 31:19. Ez. 16:22,43,60- k Ps. 45:10-17. Jer. 3.14. Ez. 25-27,32. 1148:2. 51:15. Jer. 10:16. 51:15 D 49:14. 62:4. Hos. 2:1.2,14,15. versal. This was a subject of grief to the small remnant of believers: but the coming of Christ, and his sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension, would introduce better times. Though the nation in general rejected him, and were cast off; yet numerous children were atoning sufferings will secure a happy event to us, and to all those who bear his image and partake of his Spirit. Being now risen from the dead, and ever living to carry on his work and plead our cause; "the pleasure of the Father prospereth in his hand." Here is laid the firm foundation, on which the trembling sin-born unto the church: the Gentile converts ner may rest his soul; for he beholds the true were adopted into her family; and those napenitent, who humbly ventures nigh, to seek tions which had been destitute of ordinances, the benefit of his atoning blood by faith in his and "strangers to the covenants of promise," name, with that affection and complacency, produced a far larger increase of true believers, with which the tender mother eyes her new-than the nation of Israel, which had been marborn infant, the fruit and recompense of all ried to the Lord, by their national covenant her anguish; he then "sees of the travail of his and distinguished advantages had ever done. soul and is satisfied." These are the trophies As these were all the true children of the of his victory, the purchase of his blood, the church, she was called on to break forth into monuments of his grace: for this he "poured loud songs of joyful praise; notwithstanding out his soul unto death," and "was numbered the unbelief and rejection of that nation, of with transgressors;" for this he continually which her family had hitherto chiefly consistintercedes and prevails; thus he destroys the ed. (Marg. Ref.--Notes, 49 18 21. 60:4 7. works of the devil, and rescues the prey from Gal. 4:21--31, v. 27.) the hands of that mighty one. Let us bless the Lord for the knowledge of Christ, by which numbers in every age are justified: let us pray and endeavor, that it may be extended to all pable of containing all her children. She our fellow sinners: and let us think no labor, must therefore prepare to occupy more room, hardship, or expense too great, by which we and make much larger curtains and longer may promote that cause, for which the Re- cords: and, as perpetuity, as well as enlargedeemer shed his blood. Thus we shall provement, was to distinguish the Christian dispenourselves partakers of his salvation, and make an acceptable return of gratitude for his unspeakable love. NOTES. V. 2, 3. The church is still addressed as a matron, who with her small family resided in a tent: but this tent would soon be found inca sation, she must also "strengthen the stakes,' on which the curtains were suspended. (Vole, 49:18--21.) And she need not fear making too large preparations: for immense accessions might be expected: and her family would be so increased, that it would spread abroad on every side, and at length occupy the countries and cities, which had been the most given up to idolatry, and strangers to the name and worship of JEHOVAH. (Notes, Zech. 8:20--23. Mal. 1:9--11, v. 11.) CHAP. LIV. V. 1. In the foregoing chap'ter the prophet described the sufferings of 'Christ, and here he prophecies the increase 'and glory of the church, which should follow; ... which indeed were to commence from the 'time of Christ's passion, but would not be 'completed till... after the Jews were again restored to-God's favor.' Louth. The connex-in ion and language of the chapter necessarily lead our thoughts to the times of the gospel, with very little reference to previous deliverances. The church of Israel is here represented as a married woman, who, like Serah, had long continued barren. Comparatively few real believers, the children of God and of the church, had been raised up in the nation. And about the time when Messiah should come, Pharisaical formality, Sadducean infidelity, and open impiety, would become almost uni V. 4, 5. The church, (or nation of Israel,) her youth, had been basely enslaved in Egypt; and afterwards she had been greatly defiled by idolatries and debased by grievous oppressions. She also lay under the reproach of barrenness, and had been put away, as if rejected for unfaithfulness: but, by the introduction of the gospel-dispensation, and by that purity and prosperity which were intended and foretold, these reproaches would all be wiped off and forgotten; and she need no more fear being put to shame and confounded, by the reproach of being left forlorn and destitute woman forsaken, and grieved in spirit, and || saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. • a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 11 TO thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. 12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. 13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and h great shall be the peace of thy children. k 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. a 49:10. Eph. 2:4,5. Tit. 3:5, 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness b. 49:14. 51:17-19,23. 52:1shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, o Prov. 5:18. Ec. 9:9. Mal. 2: 14. p 26:20. 60:10. Ps. 30:5. 2 Cor. q 11:11. 27:12. 40:11. 43:5,6, 56: t 55:3. Ps. 103:17. Jer. 31:3. 2 Thes. 2:16. 1 Tim. 1:16. x 12:1. Gen. 8:21,22. 9:11-16. y 51:6,7. Ps. 46:2. Matt. 5:18 5. 60:15. Ex. 2:23. 3:2,7. Deut. c Matt. 8:24. Acts 27:18-20. e 1 Kings 5:17. 1 Chr. 29:2. Eph. 2:20. Rev. 21:19-21. f Ex. 24:10. 28:17-20. 39:10- 1 45. 14:26. Eph. 4:21. 1 Thes 4:9. Heb. 8:10,11. 1 John 2: 20,27. h 26:3. 32:15-18. 48:18. 55:12. i 1:26,27. 45:24. 52:1. 60:21. 61: 4:3,4. 2:4,5. Jer. 23:3,4. 30:10. Mic. as a widow. (Notes, 6--10, v. 6. Lam. 1:1,2.) self never to rebuke and be wroth with his For "the LORD of Hosts," the Creator of the church, as in times past, or so as to cast her world, and of the church, would avow his re-off: for his covenant of peace, the result of his lation to her as her Husband; and afford her all the protection, and shew her all the kindness, which that endeared relation implies. He had all along been spoken of as "the Redeemer and the Holy One of Israel;" but he would at length be acknowledged and worshipped, as "the God of the whole earth."Christ is the Redeemer and the Bridegroom of the church; and he is her Creator, and "the God of the whole earth." (Marg. Ref.--Notes, Zech. 9:9,10. 14:6–9, v. 9. Rom. 3:29--31.) - tender mercies, would be more durable than the mountains, and abide in full force, and in its glorious and happy effects, when they shall remove and be seen no more.--This may also relate to the calling of Abraham, and the covenant made with him and his posterity. (Notes, 11:11-16, 12: 56:8. 60:1--3. Gen. 49:10. Jer. 33: 17-26. Mic. 7:18--20. Mal. 2:13–16. Rom. 11: 22--32. Rev. 20:11-15.) V. 11-14. The church is here again considered, as a woman in great distress; as a perV. 6-10. The church of Israel had been son at sea in a storm, and in danger of being in the condition of a woman forsaken by her shipwrecked; or as dwelling in a tent, which husband and "grieved in spirit;" having been was ready to be overturned by a furious temespoused in her youth, and afterwards rejected pest; and in short, as bereft of every comfort. with dislike for her misconduct: but the Lord All the persecutions and calamities of the was about to recal her into a state of more church, as well as the temptations, afflictions, comfortable and intimate communion with and discouragements of believers, seem to be him. (Notes, Hos. 3:)--The abominable idola- || intended.--But she is assured, that all these tries and atrocious iniquities of Israel and Ju- will end in great felicity and honor. Instead dah, the low estate of religion among them, of her mean, uncomfortable tent, the Lord and the repeated triumphs of their enemies, promises to build her a most glorious city or as if God had quite cast them off, and the grief palace, whose foundations, windows, walls, that these things occasioned to believers, are and towers, should be formed of precious here intended: probably with reference to the stones, most beautiful and durable. These are calamities and oppression of the Christian emblems of the light, purity, and prosperity, church, during the prevalence of antichristian which the church on earth shall at length encorruptions and oppressions, and the state of joy, resembling those of heaven. (Notes, Rev. the nation of Israel unto this day. But this 21:9--27.) These seem to be general images frown and hiding of God's countenance, and to express beauty, magnificence, purity, the consequent affliction of the church would be strength, and solidity, agreeably to the ideas momentary, compared with the duration of 'of the eastern nations; and to have never been her peace and prosperity: his little wrath, or intended to be strictly scrutinized, or minutewrath of very short continuance, would soon ly and particularly explained, as if each of be pacified; and he would gather her and her them had some precise moral or spiritual increasing multitude of children, with ever-meaning.' Bp. Lowth.--Numbers of the chillasting kindness and abundant mercies. (Note, dren of the church had in past ages been unPs. 30:5.) His engagements to this effect were instructed, or ill-instructed; but it is promised, as irrevocable, as the covenant made with that all her "children shall be taught of the Noah, and confirmed with an oath, that he LORD," by his Spirit, and according to his would never more drown the world; (Note, word. (Notes, Jer. 31:31-34. John 6:41--46, Gen. 9:9-17.) for he had also sworn by him-v. 45,60--65, v. 65. 1 John 2:20--25, v. 20,26— VOL IV. 25 [193 |
