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d 5.8. 26.3. Jer. 21:13, 50:31. 51:25. Nah. 2:13. 3:5.

e 9-11,19. 5:12 14:17,21. Ex. 15:9. Lev. 26:25,33. Deut. 32: 41,42. Ps. 17:13. Is. 10:5. 34: 5. Jer. 47:6,7. 51:20. Zeph. 2:12. Zech. 13:7.

f 9:5,6. Job 9:22,23. Ec. 9:2. Jer. 15:2-4.

55:11. Jer. 23:20. Nah. 1:9.

k 12. 6:11. 9:4. Is. 22:4. Jer.
4:19. 9:17-21. John 11:33.
-35.

1 Is. 16:11. 21:3. Jer. 30:6.
Dan. 5:6. 8:27. Nah. 2:10.
Hab. 3:16.

m 4:12. 12:3-5, 37:20. Jer.
19.10.

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n 12:9-11. 20:49. 24:19.
o 7:26.

28:19.

2 Kings 21:12. Is. 7:2.
Jer. 6:22-24. 49:23.

p Ex. 15:15. Deut. 20:8. marg.
Josh. 2:9-11. 5:1. 2 Sam.
17:10. Nah. 2:10.

q Job 4:3,4. Is. 35.3. Jer. 50:43.
Luke 21:26. Heb. 12:12.

Jer.

t 3,15,28.

Deut. 32:41,42. Job 20:25. Is. 66:16. Jer. 12:12. 15:2. Am. 9:4.

u Ps. 7:11-13. Is. 27:1. 34:5,6, x Jer. 46:4. Nah. 3:3. Hab. 3:11. y Esth. 3:15. Ec. 3:4. Is. 5:12 -14. 22:12-14. Am. 6:3-7. Nab. 1:10. Luke 21:34,35. † Or, it is the rod of my Son; it despiseth every tree. 20:47. Ps. 2:7-9. 110:5,6. Rev. 2:27. 12.22-28. 1 Pet. z 25-27. 19:11-14. 2 Sam. 7:14. Ps. 89:26-32,38-45.

r Lev. 26:36. Is. 13:7.
8:18. Lam. 5:17.
Heb. go into water.
marg.

s 7:2-12.
4.7.

7:17.

NOTES.

carried captive to Babylon, or migrated into CHAP. XXI. V. 2—5. These verses evident- Egypt and other countries. But if any rightly explain the parable at the close of the for- eous persons fell by the sword, the famine, or mer chapter. (Marg. Ref. a—c.—Notes, 20: the pestilence: as they were removed from the 45-49.) Jerusalem and the land of Israel evil to come, to a better world, in mercy not in were intended by "the forest of the south field." anger, all the promises and emblems, respectThe holy places either mean the temple and ing the Lord's special regard to them, might its courts; or the temple, the holy city, and the be sufficiently verified. Thus Josiah, though holy land. The Lord, who had so long been slain in battle, went down to the grave in known by the princes of Judah "as a sure Ref-peace. (Marg. Ref. f—i.—Notes, 2 Kings 22: uge," (Note, Ps. 48:2,3.) was at length turned 15-20. 23:29,30.) against them, and was about to draw his V. 6, 7. To give these awful predictions the sword, "to cut off both the righteous and the greater emphasis, the prophet was ordered to wicked." As he had determined on this in- sigh deeply and frequently, in the presence of discriminate slaughter and devastation, he the elders, or of the captive Jews; as if his would commission his sword, (that is, the heart would break, or his loins were racked Chaldean army, the same as the fire, which was with pain, like the anguish of a woman in "to devour both the green and the dry trees," travail: as afterwards he was ordered to "cry 20:47.) to go forth against all flesh, through- and howl" for the same reason. (12) And out the whole extent of the land. (Marg. Ref. when the people inquired of him the cause or d, e.-Notes, 9,10,19-22.) Thus the Jews, and meaning of his bitter sighs and groans, he was indeed all nations, might know, that this de- ordered to answer them, that they were exstruction was not fortuitous, or merely the ef- torted by the tidings which he heard, and fect of man's policy, ambition, or revenge: but which they would soon hear, of the invasion of that God had decreed it against a rebellious Judah, and of the siege and destruction of Jepeople, which had filled up the measure of rusalem: for these events, which were just at their iniquities. The words, "I will cut off hand, would exceedingly distress and intimifrom thee the righteous and the wicked," can- date the whole company, and deprive them of not mean, that every individual would be slain; all courage, strength, and spirits. (Marg, Ref. but all would be cut off from the land of Is--Notes, 7:16-19. Jer. 23:9—12, v. 9. Hab. 3: rael, though not out of the land of the living: however, they militate very strongly against those, who explain the eighteenth chapter, and similar passages, of an exact discrimination observed in these calamities between the righteous and the wicked. (Notes, 9:3-7. 18:3,4.) Many of the pious Jews were preserved from death during these judgments; but probably not all, nor they only: yet they were all "cut off from the land of Israel," so that not one remained in it; for all the survivors were either VOL. IV. 67

16.)

V. 9, 10. The sword of war was given into the hands of the Chaldeans by the just indignation of God: and it was "sharpened," that it might do the more terrible execution; and "furbished," that its very glittering might cause the greater alarm. The Jews it seems thought that divine vengeance was become as a sword, which had grown dull and rusty in the scabbard: but they would soon learn, that it was made ready for use, and would be employed

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12 Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.

c

13 t Because it is da trial, and what if the sword e contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.

14 Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain; it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.

15 I have set the point of the sword k against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is "wrapped up for the slaughter.

n

16 Go thee one way or other, " either

a 19. Jer. 25:9,33. 51:20-23. b 6. 9:8. 30:2. Jer. 25:34. Joel 1:13. Mic. 1:8.

Or, they are thrust down to the sword with my people. c 14. 6:11. Jer. 31:12. † Or, When the trial hath been, what then? shall they not also belong to the despising rod?

d Job 9:23. 2 Cor. 8:2. e 10,25.

f 27.

g 17. 6:11. Num. 24:10.
Heb. hand to hand.
h Lev. 26:21,24. 2 Kings 24:1,
10-16. 25:1,&c. Dan. 3:19.
22:25.

i 8:12. 1 Kings 20:30.

Am. 9:2.

Or, glittering, or, fear.
k 22. 15:7. Jer. 17:27.
17. 20:47.

Or, sharpened. 9—11.
m 4,20. 14:17. 16:46.
n Gen. 13:9.

against them. Was it then a time for them to rejoice and indulge in sensual mirth, or to deride the threatenings of God? and did not their circumstances rather call on them to join the prophet in sighs and lamentations? (Marg. Ref. t-y.-Notes, Is. 5:11–17, vv. 11,12,18,19. 22:8-14. 28:12-15. Am. 6:3—8.)

It contemneth, &c. (10) 'It makes no distinc'tion between the sceptre and common wood; 'between the branches of the royal family, de'scended from David and Solomon, whom I 'honored with the title of being my sons, (Ps. 89:26. 2 Sam. 7:14.) and the meanest of the 'people.' Lowth. (Marg. Ref. z.) Nebuchadnezzar would disregard Israel's relation to JEHOVAH, (Note, Ex. 4:22,23.) as well as the sceptre in the hand of David's descendants; and the sword of God's righteous vengeance would cut down Zedekiah and his family, like any other of the trees of the forest.-Or, "It is the rod of my Son, it despiseth every tree. (Marg. and Ref.) The rod of the Son of God, by which he destroys his enemies, would pay no regard to any of the trees in that devoted forest.

V. 11, 12. Marg, and Marg. Ref.—Notes, 6, 7,14,19-22. 6:11.

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o 14.
p 5:13.
1:24.

22:13. Num. 24:10.
16:42. Deut. 28:63. Is.
Zech. 6:8.

q 4:1-3. 5:1,&c. Jer. 1:10.
r 25:5.
Deut. 3:11. 2 Sam. 12:
26. Jer. 49:2. Am. 1:14. Rab-
bah.

9 2 Sam. 5:9. 2 Chr. 26.9. 32:
5. 33:14. Ps. 43:12,13. 125:
1,2. Is. 22:10. Lam. 4:12.

Heb. mother of, &c.

1

u Num. 23:23. Deut. 18:10.
Sam. 15:23. Prov. 16:10. mar-
gins. Acts 16:16.
tt Or, knives.

Heb. teraphim. Gen. 31:19, 30. marg. Judg. 17:5, 18:14, 18,20,24. 2 Kings 23:24. marg. Hos. 3:4. 4:12. Zech. 10.2. marg.

'should utterly perish.' (Note, 25—27, v. 27.) V. 14. Marg. and Marg. Ref. g.-Notes, 17. Num. 24:10,11.-Be doubled, &c. This is by some interpreted to signify, that the third invasion of Nebuchadnezzar would complete the ruin of Jerusalem. He had taken Jehoiakim captive, and then Jeconiah, and at the third time he would take Zedekiah, and lay the city in ruins and desolate the land. But perhaps it only refers to the repeated prophecies concerning the sword which was coming on the land. Let the stroke be repeated twice and thrice, that is oftentimes.... (Job 33:29.)' Louth. (Marg. Ref. h.) This sword would especially enter into the chambers of the great men, where they concealed their idolatries and iniquities; as they were the ringleaders in rebellion, and would by no means escape. (Marg. Ref. i. 1 Kings 22:24,25.)

V. 15. The point of this sword, exciting terror and multiplying destruction, would appear at all the gates of Jerusalem; so that the inhabitants would not have a single way left for them to escape. (Marg, and Marg. Ref.)

edge or polish, till it was to be used. Or "sharpened." Marg. (11.) It occurs no where else in scripture.

It is made bright.] The Hebrew reads here and ver. 10, "It is made like lightning." The V. 13. These events would be a grievous 'same metaphor which we read in Virgil: Vatrial of the faith and patience of God's people; 'ginaque eripit ensem fulmineum: He drew his or rather, a trial of the Jews and their rulers, sword which did like lightning blaze.' Loreth. whether they would repent or not. And if the-Wrapped up.] That it might not lose its sword despised even the rod or sceptre in the hands of Zedekiah, what would be the event? Truly that sceptre would fall from his hands, the temporal kingdom in David's family would cease, and Jerusalem would be desolated. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. Note, 9,10.)-Ezekiel, moved with compassion, thus complaineth, 'fearing the destruction of the kingdom, which 'God had confirmed to David and his posterity by promise; which promise God performed, 'although here it seemed to man's eye, that it 530]

V. 16. The sword is here addressed, by a bold figure, as a messenger that was to go and execute the commission of God on every side. (Marg. and Marg. Ref.-Notes, 19-22. 14:13 21, v. 17. Jer. 47:6,7.)

V. 17. The Lord thus emphatically declared his purpose of encouraging and prospering the besiegers, till he had taken full vengeance

V

say, that

22 At his right hand was the divination your sins do appear; because I for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to ye are come to remembrance, dye shall be open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up taken with the hand. the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.

X

e

25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown; this shall not be the same: b h exalt him that

23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: a but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GoD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings * Or, battering rams. Heb. a 2 Kings 24:20. 25:1–7. Jer.

rams. 4:2.

Ex. 32:17,18. Josh. 6:10,20.

1 Sam. 17:20. Job 39:25. Jer. 51:14.

x Jer. 32:24. 33:4. 52:4.

y 11:3. 12:22. Is. 28:14,15.
Or, for the oaths made unto
them.

z 17:13-19. 2 Chr. 36:13.

52:3-11.

b 24. 29:16. Num. 5:15. 1
Kings 17:18. Rev. 16:19.

c 16:16,&c. 22:3-12,24-31. 23:
5,&c. 24:7. Is. 3:9. Jer. 2:
34. 3:2. 5:27,28. 6:15. 8:12.
9:2-7. Hos. 4:2. Mic. 3.10
-12.

on the Jews. (Marg. Ref. 14.-Notes, 5:13. 22:13.)

is low, and abase him that is high.

27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. dls. 22:17,18. Jer. 15:2.

9:1-3.

e 17.19. 2 Chr. 36.13.
24:8. 52:2.

Am. 2:21,22. Heb. 12:26,27.

Jer.

Ps. 7:

f 29. 7:6. 30:3. 35:5.
9. 9:5,6. Jer. 51:13.
g 12:12,13. 16:12. 2 Kings 25:
6,7,27,28. Jer. 13:18. 39:6,7.
52:9-11,31-34. Lam. 5:16.
h1 Sam. 2:7,8. Ps. 75:7. 113:7,
8. Luke 1:52.

Heb. Perverted, perverted,
perverted will I make it. Hag.

i 17:22,23. 34:23. 37:24,25. Gen. 49:10. Num. 24:19. Ps. 2:6. 72:7-10. Is. 9:6,7. Jer. 23: 5,6. 30:21. 33:15,16,21,26. Dan. 2:44. 9:25. Hos. 3:5. Am. 9:11.12. Mic. 5:2. Hag. 2:7. Zech. 6:12, 13. 9:9. Mal 3:1. 4:2. Matt. 28:18. Luke 1:32,69. 2:11: John 1:49. Eph. 1:20-22. Phil. 2:9,10. 1 Pet. 3:22. Rev. 19:11-16.

this was settled, he appointed captains, and prepared every thing for the siege of that city. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. v, x.)

V. 19-22. The prophet was here ordered still more plainly to declare, that "the sword of the king of Babylon" was intended by all these metaphors. He must describe on a tile, a parchment, or the ground, the road from Babylon to a place, where it was parted into two roads, one leading to Jerusalem, the other to Rabbath the capital city of the Ammonites. (Marg. Ref. r.-Notes, 29–32. 25:2-7. Jer. 49: 1-5. Am. 1:13-15.)-As the people of Judah confided in the fortifications of Jerusalem, and were about to retire within them; so they were called "Judah in Jerusalem the defenced." (Marg. Ref. s, t.)-This plan would represent the conduct of Nebuchadnezzar. For that prince would march his ariny from Babylon, intending to destroy both Rabbath and Jerusalein, but undetermined which he should first attack; so that when he came to the parting of the roads, neither his policy nor his resentment decided his measures, but he had recourse to divination. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. u.-Note, Is. 47:12-15.) This was an appeal to some superior power to determine for him; conducted with many superstitious and idolatrous rites. Three kinds of augury or divination seem to have been used on this occasion. V. 25-27. The Lord, by his prophet, next "They wrote on several_arrows the names of addressed himself immediately to Zedekiah, 'the cities they intended to assault; and then, as the head of the conspiracy against his auputting them all together promiscuously in a thority. He had shewn his impiety and iniquiquiver, they drew them out thence as lots are ty, especially in violating his solemn oath, and 'drawn; and that city whose name was writ on revolting from the king of Babylon. (See on 'the arrow first drawn, was the city they first Note, 23.) But the day was come, when his 'made war upon.' Jerom in Lowth." 'He crimes would meet with condign punishment; 'mingled his arrows.' Vulgate. The tera- and his iniquity and that of his people, would phim, or little images, that were carried with be terminated by their ruin. (Marg. Ref. e-g. them, were consulted as oracles; some ar--Notes, 7:5-11. 12:8-15.) The Lord had tificial answer was supposed to be returned given commandment to divest him of the inby them: (Marg. and Ref. Judg. 17:5.-Notes, signia of royal authority, and to reduce him to Gen. 31:19. Hos. 3:4,5, v. 4.) and, having the condition of a blind wretched captive: offered sacrifices, the priests or augurs exam- when he would not appear "the same" person ined the intestines, especially the liver; from that he had been; or the authority would not the state of which, in different animals, wheth-be in "the same" hands. Jeconiah, who was er mutilated or complete, sound or unsound, or from its color, they grounded their decisions, according to signs and marks laid down among them. The Lord, however, so overruled it, that all these inquiries concurred in determining Nebuchadnezzar to march against Jerusalem, rather than Rabbath. And when

V. 23. The Jews would treat these predictions as false; and disregard all the hostile preparations of the Chaldeans, as if they were no more to be feared than their delusive divinations. They especially, who had sworn allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, (along with Zedekiah,) and had broken their oaths, and sworn others to the king of Egypt, would be so infatuated as to despise all warnings. Thus they would be delivered into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, who would remember against them their perfidy and perjury, and avenge himself on them for it. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. -See on Note, 17:15-21.)

V. 24. The notorious sins of the Jews of that generation, which shewed that all their doings were contaminated by impiety and iniquity, had caused the sins of their fathers also to be remembered against them, and rendered it requisite for the glory of God, that they should be delivered into the hands of their en||emies -'Because your sins cry to heaven for vengeance, ye shall fall into the hands and 'power of the king of Babylon.' Lowth. (Marg. Ref.)

then low in a prison, would again be exalted, and his family would prosper: Zedekiah, who was then on the throne, would be abased: and the Lord would overturn repeatedly the family of David and the government of Judah, till the coming of the Messiah, whose right the kingdom was, and it should be given to him for

B. C. 592. 28 ¶ And thou, son of man, prophesy || sheath? P I will judge thee in the place k con- where thou wast created, in the land of and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD cerning the Ammonites, and concerning thy nativity. their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering:

m

29 Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, " to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.

*

31 And I will
tion upon thee,
in the fire of my
into the hand of
ful to destroy.

X

r

pour out mine indignaI will blow against thee wrath, and deliver thee brutish men, and skil

32 Thou shalt be "for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more remembered: for I the LORD have spoken it.

30 Shall I cause it to return into his p 16:33. 28:13,15.

k 20. 25:2-7. Jer. 49:1-5.
Am. 1:13-15. Zeph. 2:8-10.
19.10.
m 12:24. 13:23. 22:28.
25. 47:13. Jer. 27:9.

ever.

Is. 44:

n 13:10-16. Lam. 2:14.

o 25. Job 18:20. Ps. 37:13.
*Or, Cause it to return. 4,5.
Jer. 47:6,7.

Overturn. (27) After that Zedekiah is de'prived of his regal authority, there shall be no 'more kings of that family, till Christ come.' Lowth. (Marg. Ref. i.)

q 16.3,4.
r 7:8.

14:19. 22.22. Nah. 1.6.

s 22:20,21. Ps. 18:15. Is. 30.33.
37:7. 40:7. Hag. 1:9.
† Or, burning.

t Is. 14:4-6. Jer. 4:7. 6:22,23.

51:20,21. Hab. 1:6-10.

u 20:47,49. Mal. 4:1. Matt. 3:10, 12.

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'theirs.' Lowth.-Skilful, &c. (31) "Artificers of destruction.", Fabri. The word used for carpenters, smiths, masons, &c. as joined with the words, wood, brass, iron, or stone.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-17.

(Marg. and Marg. Ref. h.-Notes, 1 Sam. 1:4-8. 2 Kings 25:1-7,27-30. Jer. 22:28 30. Hag, 2:20-23. Luke 1:26-33. Heb. 12:26 -29. Rev. 11:15-20.)-This may also predict the repeated subversions of the Jewish nation by the Chaldeans, Macedonians, Romans, and many others, to the present day; which will not come to any happy termination, till they Dreadful is the case of those against whom submit to their long rejected Messiah: nay, it seems to predict all the convulsions in states God has set himself as an adversary! yet all and kingdoms, which shall make way for the impenitent sinners are exposed to this dire misestablishment of his kingdom throughout the ery. Even holy places and families, which whole earth.-'When the prophets speak to have long been eminent in religion, will have 'kings in the name of God, they lay aside those || God against them, if they apostatize or greatly 'titles and expressions of respect, which are degenerate.-In national judgments, the sword 'otherwise due to regal dignity. (1 Sam. 13:13. of God often cuts off both the righteous and the wicked; but not one of the righteous will '1 Kings 18:18. 2 Kings 3:13,14.) Lowth. be involved in the condemnation of the wicked, at the day of judgment and in the eternal world. (Note, 2 Pet. 2:5-9.) He often "endures with much long suffering the vessels of V. 28. The Ammonites, being reprieved by wrath, fitted for destruction:" but when at Nebuchadnezzar's decision to besiege Jerusa-length he draws his sword, it will return no lem, were ready to promise themselves secu-more, till it has effected all his righteous pur rity, and to insult over the Jews. But the poses.-It behoves those, who are employed to prophet was ordered to predict their doom denounce the awful wrath of God against sinalso, which Nebuchadnezzar a few years after ners, to shew that they "do not desire the woeexecuted. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, 9,10,19-22.)|| ful day:" and the example of Christ teaches "Their reproach" may either mean the re-us, that we ought to weep and lament over proach that awaited them, or their reproach of them whose ruin we foresee and declare. (Note, God's people. (Notes, 25:3-7, v. 6. Zeph. 2:8| Luke 19:41-44.). We should also endeavor to -10.) convince them, that we are greatly impressed V. 29-32. The diviners of the Ammonites with the reality, importance, and near apencouraged them, with vain predictions of vic-proach of those invisible things, of which tory and triumph, to trample on the Jews when we speak; and instruct them by our example, suffering the punishment of their sins. It was as well as by our doctrine.-It scarcely seems not therefore proper, that the sword of ven- necessary to inquire, "wherefore men sigh and geance should return into its scabbard, till mourn" in such a sinful suffering world as this: they too were punished. The Lord would on yet those who now mourn with penitent sorthis account judge and execute vengeance on row, and sympathize in the afflictions of God's them in their own land, where the nation first people, shall rejoice and be exceedingly glad, received its existence: for the Ammonites seem when all the hearts of ungodly men shall melt, to have increased from a family to a nation, in and when they shall in vain call to the rocks the same country which they then inhabited. to fall upon them, and cover them from the He would pour his vengeance on them as wa- wrath of their offended Judge. But when his ter: his wrath would burn against them as fire, sharp and glittering sword is drawn against, made more vehement by being blown: he guilty nations or individuals; and when venwould deliver them into the hands of men, geance is at the door, does it behove the crim who were cruel and bloody like wild beasts, inals to make mirth? Would it not be more and used their understandings only for de- suitable to them to sigh and mourn, and even struction. Thus he would destroy them; they to howl and cry? at least to fast and pray, and would never recover their former dignity; and humble themselves under the mighty hand of in process of time they would be entirely for- God, if so be he will be merciful unto them?gotten. (Marg. and Marg. Ref.-Notes, 15-In great national calamities, his sword often 17. 25:10,11. Jer. 49:6.)

To bring thee upon the necks, &c. (29) To 'add thee to the number of those who are slain in Judea, (14,15.) and make thy condition like

disdains all the petty distinctions, on which men pride themselves: the most exalted stations and sacred characters are then blended with the poor and obscure in one common ruin.

CHAP. XXII.

A catalogue of the crimes committed in Jerusalem, for which judgment was awarded against the Jews, 1-16. God will prove them as metals in the furnace, 17-22. The wickedness of the prophets, priests, princes, and people, shewn to be the combined causes of their ruin, 23-31.

MOR

OREOVER the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Now, thou son of man, judge, wilt thou judge the yea, thou shalt + shew her all

inations.

maketh idols against herself to defile herself.

4 Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed: and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made: & and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, wilt thou and art come even unto thy years: therefore bloody city?" have I made thee a reproach unto the her abom-heathen, and a mocking to all countries. 5 Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much vexed.

c

3 Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come,

a 20:4. 23:36.

*Or, plead for.

e

Heb. city of bloods. 23:45. 2 Kings 21:16, 24:9,4. Jer. 2:30, Hos. 4:2. Nah, 3:1, Matt. 34. 23:35. 27:25. Luke 11:50. Acts 7:52.

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and

b 16:2. Is. 58:1. 1 Tim. 5:20.
Heb. make her know.

c 8:9-17. 16: 23:

d 27. 24:6–9. Zeph. 3:3.

e 4. 7:2-12. 12:25. Rom. 2:5.
2 Pet. 2:3.

f 2 Kings 21:2-9. Jer. 2: 3:

6 Behold, the princes of Israel, every g Num. 32:14. Matt. 23:32,33.

1 Thes. 216.

Dan. 9:16.

Heb. polluted of name, much in vexation. Jer. 15:2,3.

h 5:14,15. 16:57. 21:28. Lev.
26:32. Deut. 28:37. 29:24. 1i 27. Neh. 9:34. Is. 1:23. Jer

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except that the great are singled out as the cy is exercised to sinful men. All these disprincipal criminals; and the sword often pur-pensations are in the hand of the only begotten sues them, into their secret recesses of wick- Son of God: and all wars, convulsions, and edness, and their most secure hiding places. revolutions, combine to bring forward the esEven those who fill thrones, when distinguish-tablishment of his kingdom. The Lord will ed by profaneness and iniquity, will be exposed "overturn, overturn, overturn," till that great to shame, and their punishments made propor-revolution takes place, when "the kingdoms of tionably conspicuous: if they escape such revolutions, as sometimes hurry monarchs from the throne to the prison; yet death will soon terminate their career, rob them of their diadems and sceptres, and transmit them as criminals to the judgment-seat of God.

V. 18-32.

the earth shall become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ." This should satisfy all, who love his rightful authority, and are become his loyal subjects: "what he doeth they know not now, but they shall know hereafter." But let us be thankful to be employed as instruments of his mercy, let us use our understandings in devising methods of doing good; and let us stand aloof from those brutish men, who are only skilful to destroy.

NOTES.

demnation denounced against her. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. b, c.--Notes, 20:4. Mal. 3:5,6, v. 5.)

The most self-sufficient and ungodly, as well as the most sagacious and politic, sometimes find their counsels so perplexed, as to feel the want of a superior direction: and the vain superstitions and divinations of idolaters proclaim, how desirable it is to be directed by the CHAP. XXII. V. 2. Jerusalem, instead of word and Spirit of God. But, whatever appa- a holy city, was become, "a city of blood," rent chance or choice, whatever augury or div- filled with murder, and every crime for which ination, determine the measures which men men were punishable by death. (Marg. and adopt; the Lord secretly leads them to execute Ref.--Notes, 3--16. Matt. 23:34--39. Acts 7:51 his wise designs: and even ambitious conquer---53.) The prophet therefore, instead of pleadors, and cruel tyrants, are the undesigning ex-ing in her behalf, was summoned to sit in judgecutioners of deserved punishment on con- ment on her: whilst the Lord himself assumed demned criminals. (Notes, Ps. 76:10. Prov. 16: the office of an accuser and a witness, and 33. 21:30. Is. 10:5-7. Dan. 5:18-24.) Wherev-shewed that she merited the sentence of coner the sword of divine justice turns, it meets with men deserving of its stroke: but it commonly begins at the sanctuary, and first ex- V. 3--5. There is a peculiar emphasis in ecutes vengeance on those who profane it by all these accusations brought against Jerusatheir hypocrisy and iniquity. These are the lem, arising from the consideration, that this last persons, in general, who give credit to the was the city which God had chosen for the warnings of God's word: their hearts are often place of his temple, and favored with his orahardened by repeatedly violating the most sol- cles, ordinances, special presence, and protecemn vows and engagements, and attending on tion, above all the cities upon earth. Yet the sacred ordinances in an impious and infidel inhabitants of this very city were peculiarly manner; and they are left to themselves, till guilty of murder and idolatry, the two most they ripen for vengeance: then their sins are atrocious of all crimes. They shed much inade to appear, and they are brought to con- blood, in sacrificing their children to idols, in dign punishment.-Next to such wicked pro- persecuting the prophets and servants of God, fessors of religion, they will be most severely and in cruelly oppressing the poor; by iniquitpunished, who insult over their falls and mis-ous laws and unrighteous decrees; and probaeries. What a frivolous advantage is it to a condemned malefactor, to be executed the last of the company! how little reason has he to exult over his fellow-sufferers! yet this is the common conduct of profane meu; when they see others punished while they are spared; though the sword will not be sheathed till it have consumed them also.-But in the midst of the most tremendous predictions and denuncia tions of wrath, we still hear some report of mercy, and of him through whom mer-the

bly by frequent assassinations, in perpetrating robberies, and in furious quarrels. So that the people seemned in haste to bring forward the time of vengeance.--They also made idols, to defile themselves; which was eventually to destroy themselves, as it was sure to provoke the Lord to destroy them. Thus they would speedily arrive at those years of desolation which had been predicted, when they would become the objects of scorn and reproach to heathen: for even the idolaters, whose

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