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النشر الإلكتروني

The calling of]

I

CHAP. LXV.

ISAIAH.

AM sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;

4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments; which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bo

som,

7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one -saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine

[the Gentiles, elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.

12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

13 Therefore, thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed :

ye

for

14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart; but shall cry sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen for the Lord GoD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgot ten, and because they are hid from n ine eyes.

17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

18 But be ye glad and rejoice for

NOTES.

CHAP. LXV. Ver. 1. I am sought Lowth, "I am made known." St. Paul, (who transposes the sentences,) "I was made manifest." Rom. x. 20,

Ver. 3. Upon altars of brick-Heb. "Upan bricks," which was contrary to the Mosaic law. Exod. xx. 25.

Ver. 4. Which remain among the graves.-This they did, according to Sir J. Chardin, for purposes of Necromancy. And broth, &c.-This was for the purpose of lustration, magical arts, and other superstitions. See Lowth.

Ver. 11. That troop....that number - Heb. Gad

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ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

CHAP, LXV.

[of the Jews.

24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy moun tain, saith the LORD. (P)

CHAP. LXVI.

THUS saith the LORD, The heaven

is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slev a man; he that sacrificeth a

EXPOSITION.

(P) The calling of the Gentiles, and the final restoration of the Jews. This chapter contains a vindication of God's dealings with the Jews, having reference, perhaps, to their prayer and complaint in the preceding chapter. It sets forth that, though for their sins he had rejected them, and called the Gentiles who sought him not, (Romans ix. 24-26,) yet would he preserve a remnant, to whom he would at length make good all his promises. Severe punishments are threatened against the wicked (alluding perhaps to the destruction by the Romans,) and great rewards promised to the obedient in a future state of the Church, which is described in the most magnificent terms that can be imagined. That these splendid promises could not

:

be fully accomplished in the return of the Jews from Babylon is self-evident; nor can all their meaning be exhausted, in any state of the Church which has yet appeared. The creation of "new heavens and a new earth" must imply a new state of things, both morally and politically. It must imply a state of permanent purity and perpetual happiness and the close of the chapter seems to imply even a prolongation of human life. Thus much is certain, that through crime and folly, a great part of mankind do "not live out half their days;" (Psalm, lv. 23) and consequently the suppression of vice and of war, together with the improvements in medical science, must have a powerful tendency, both to prolong man's life, and increase his happiness. (Comp. Rev. chap. xxi.)

NOTES.

and exult in the age to come, which I create." So Bp. Chandler; but Boothroyd adheres nearly to the established version, as we are also inclined; yet it is certain that the ancient Rabbins called the days of Messiah, "the age to come."

Ver. 19. Voice of weeping.-See Rev. xxi. 4. Ver. 22. As the days of a tree. The oak is said to live 1000 years, and not to reach its perfection under 500,-- Mine elect shall long enjoy--Heb. **Shall wear out" the work of their own) hands. So Lowth.

Ver. 23. Nor bring forth for trouble - Lowth, Nor generate a short-lived race." Compare Psalm ixxviii. 33.

Ver. 25. The wolf and the lamb.-See ch. xi. 6, 7.

CHAP. LXVI. Ver.3. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man, &c.-The sense of our common version is not clear. Our translators probably meant, that they showed as little religious feeling in the sacrificing an ox, as in the sacrifice of a man, or an unclean animal. By omitting the words in Italic, supplied in our version, Bp. Lowth gives the passage a very different turn, as thus: "He that slayeth an ox, killeth a man; that maketh an oblation, beheadeth a dog; that maketh an oblation, (offereth) swine's blood; that burneth incense, blesseth an idol,” &c. The import of which version we take to be, that the people served Baal, as well as Jehovah; and while on the sabbath they served the God of Israel, on other days, with equal zeal, they offered sacrite

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lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he of fered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

12 For thus saith the LORD, Be

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hold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gen

tiles.

20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy

NOTES-Chap. LXVI. Con.

and even human sacrifices, to their idols. Compare Ezek. xxiii, 39.

Ver. 7. Before she travailed-that is. Zion. Ver. 12. Borne upon her sides.-It is customary in the East for women to carry their children on their hips. Sir J. Chardin. See Orient. Cust. No. 271.

Ver. 17. Behind one tree in the midst - Murg. "One after another," Lowth, "After the rites of

Achad, which signifies "one." Many other interpretations have been offered, all of which refer to the idolatrous rites practised in gardens. In the midst-Lowth connects this with the following clause; "In the midst of those who eat swine's flesh," &c.

Ver. 20. In litters-Lowth, "In counes;" these are large hampers, slung on each side a camel.

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CHAP. LXVI.

[restored.

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (Q)

EXPOSITION.

(Q) God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth: his awful Judgments on the wicked.-This chapter continues the same subject as the foregoing. The Lord reminds the Jews, who valued themselves much on their temple and pompous wor ship, that the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; and that no outward rights of worship can please Him who looketh at the heart, while the worshippers are idolatrous and impure. (See 1 Kings viii. 23.) This leads to a threat of divine vengeance for their guilt; alluding probably to their rejection of Christ, their persecution of his followers, and their consequent destruction by the Romans. The increase of the Church is announced to be

sudden and astonishing; which may be understood of the surprising success of the gospel when first preached, both among Jews and Gentiles; and especially of the future conversion of the Jews and fulness of the Gentiles, who shall eventually be gathered from all quarters to Messiah's standard. Then, being united in the new economy, they shall see every enemy of the true Church destroyed, and behold the final perdition of infidels and ungodly men. Here, after tracing the principal events of time, the predictions seem to terminate in eternity, where all revolutions cease; where the blessedness of the righteous shall be unchangeable as the new heavens; and the misery of the wicked, as the fire that shall not be quenched. See Rev. xxi. 1; Mark ix. 44.

NOTES.

Ver. 23. From one new moon unto another-Marg. "From new moon unto its new moon, and from sab. bath to its sabbath," &c.

Ver. 24. Their worm shall not die, &c.-This evidently alludes to Gehenna, or the valley of Hinnom, on the south and east of Jerusalem, where the idolaters used to sacrifice their children to Moloch; in abhorrence of which, king Josiah ordered all the

filth and ordure of the city to be thrown there, with the carcases of dead dogs, and dead mens' bones. These, putrifying, produced worms, and other vermin; to prevent any fatal consequences from which, fires were kept continually burning, and probably on the very spot in which they had formerly sacrificed their children. See 2 Kings xxiii. 10; Jer. vii, 31, 32.-xix. 13; Mark ix. 44.

END OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH.

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET

JEREMIAH.

INTRODUCTION.

JEREMIAH was a Priest, who resided at Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin, and was called to the prophetic office when very young; in the 13th year of king Josiah, and about 70 years after the death of Isaiah. He exercised his ministry about 42 years, with great faithfulness and zeal, and in very unfavourable circumstances. At the commencement of his labours, the sins of Judah were come to their full measure, after a reforination had been in vain attempted by good Josiah, who was called to heaven at an early age, as a punishment for their transgressions. His two sons, who successively filled the throne after him, were as remarkable for vice, as their father was for virtue. Their history we have already seen, 2 Kings, xxiii. to xxv. compared with, 2 Chron. xxxv. and xxxvi.

Jeremiah was a man of sincere piety, unblemished integrity and warm patriotism; so much so, that rather than seek a separate asylum, which he might have undoubtedly enjoyed under the king of Babylon, he chose to flee with his brethren into Egypt, though in that step they acted contrary to his advice. There is a tradition that the Jews of Tahapanes stoned him for the fidelity of his remonstrances against their idolatry and other vices. If so, a few years afterwards they were properly rewarded by the armies of the king of Babylon, according to his own prediction, Chap. xliv. 27, 28.

The style of Jeremiah was tender and pathetic to a high degree, especially in his Lamentations; but he sometimes emulates the sublimity of Isaiah. The chapters merely narrative are in prose, but the prophetic parts, which form the bulk of the book, are in the usual poetical style. Mr. Horne divides the book into four parts; the first comprising the introduction, and all the prophecies supposed to be delivered under the reign of king Josiah.-2. The prophecies under the reign of Jehoiakim.-3. Those in the reign of Zedekiah: and 4. An account of the affairs of Judah, from the capture of Jerusalem to their flight into Egypt.

The chapters in our present copies are evidently not arranged according to the time in which they were delivered, and perhaps cannot now be so arranged with certainty: we shall, however, give the order adopted by Dr. Blayney, though we cannot, from the nature of our work, adopt it. The first 20 chapters as in the established version: then the next 25 in the following order: Chap. 22, 23, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 24, 29, 30, 31, 27, 28, 21, 34, 37, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, and the following to the end, as in our version. This order is exactly adopted by Dr. Boothroyd. Mr. Prebendary Townsend, however, comparing and examining the systems of other commentators, has given a table of chronological arrangement, differing in several particulars, which we should be glad to copy; but, for want of room, we can only refer to it. (See his O. T. arranged, vol. ii. pp. 387, 8.)

The Lamentations of Jeremiah, appended to his prophecies, consist of five beautiful and pathetic Elegies, forming as many Chapters, lamenting the misfortune of his country from its conquest by the king of Babylon. It is indeed mentioned, 2 Chron. xxxv. 25, that Jeremiah composed Lamentations for king Josiah, which were performed in the public service; but that these are not the same is evident, because they every where suppose the subversion of the kingdom, and the destruction of the temple. Of these poems, the eloquent and witty Dr. South thus speaks: "Did we ever find sorrow flowing forth in such a natural, prevailing pathos ?.... One would think that every letter was wrote with a tear; that every word was the noise of a breaking heart; that the author was a man compacted of sorrow, and disciplined to grief from his infancy; one who never breathed but in sighs, nor spoke but in a groan.' (Serm. vol. iv. p. 31.)

"

As Bp. Lowth was our principal guide through Isaiah, so will Dr. Blayney be through Jeremiah, availing ourselves of the same collateral assistance, and in particular that of Mr. Gataker, who wrote the elaborate notes on this book as well as the preceding, in the "Annotations" published by certain members of " the Assembly of divines." The editor wishes it, however, to be understood, that he has allowed himself to be led by no interpreter, farther than he himself appeared to be guided by the Scriptures.

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