1God declareth that he will accept no other service but that of an humble and contrite spirit. 5The faithful are foretold the confusion of their enemies. 7The marvellous growth of the church, 10and the blessings that belong to it. 15God's severe judgments against the wicked. 18The gathering of the believing Jews and Gentiles into one church, where they shall together worship God, and see the destruction of the wicked.
1THUS saith the LORD, 1Thea heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: 2where is the house that ye build unto me? and 3where is the place of my rest?
1 See the annotation at 1 Kings 8:27 and at 2 Chron. 6:18; Acts 7:48, 49; 17:24.
a 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chron. 6:18; Acts 7:48, 49; 17:24.
2 As if He said: Ye must not think that I can be shut up in a temple. Many Jews in those times thought that they did enough when they worshipped God in the temple, whereunto they held themselves especially connected, with the outward worship that was commanded them, although they did not live according to all His commandments, but lived wicked lives. However, this reproof of the outward service of the Jews must be so understood that thereby is likewise prophesied of the abolishment of the ceremonies of the Old Testament.
3 Or, which is the place of my rest, as Acts 7:49. The tabernacle and the temple are called the rest of the Lord, 1 Chron. 28:2; 2 Chron. 6:41; Psalm 132:8. See the annotations there. But of the new or heavenly Jerusalem it is said in Rev. 21:22: And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it, and now is the time that the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, being tied to no certain house or place, John 4:21, 23.
24For all those things hath mine 5hand made, 6and all those things 7have been, saith the LORD: 8but to this man will I look, even to him that is 9poor and of a 10contrite spirit, 11and trembleth at my word.
4 This is set down by way of question in Acts 7:50: Hath not my hand made all these things?
5 That is, power.
6 Or, so, wherefore, therefore.
7 That is, subsist, namely, by My power. See Job 41:11; Psalm 119:91. Or, to be signifies to continue, as Exod. 24:12; Ruth 1:2; Psalm 64:7; Dan. 1:21. See Psalm 37 on verse 18.
8 Or, upon whom shall I look? That is, unto whom shall I be gracious? That is, whom shall I cause to enjoy My favor and help?
9 And he who acknowledges his poverty, namely, his spiritual poverty, that is, the lack of righteousness.
10 By reason of the sense or knowledge of his sins. See Psalm 34 on verse 18; Psalm 35 on verse 15; Psalm 51:17; Isa. 57:15, 18. Compare Mat. 5:3; 1 Peter 3:4.
11 That is, who so highly regards My majesty and excellency, that he fears and trembles at My commandments, receiving them and submitting himself unto them with a childlike fear and reverence. Compare verse 5; Ezra 9:4; 10:3; Hosea 11:10, 11. See also Exod. 19:16; Job 37:1.
3He that 12killeth an ox is as if he 13slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he 14cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered 15swine’s blood; he that burneth 16incense, as if he 17blessed 18an idol. Yea, 19they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth 20in their abominations.
12 Hebr. throateth, namely, for an offering, namely, without acknowledgment of his sins and without faith. Or, also he who does it outwardly in the time of the New Testament. See Isa. 1:11; Heb. 10:1, 4, 11.
13 Or, smote, that is, kills a man. The sense is: It is so displeasing unto Me, yea, he exceedingly provokes Me to anger as if he slew a man.
14 That is, he is like one who breaks a dog’s neck, or beheads a dog, or cuts off its neck, namely, to offer it unto Me, as Deut. 21:4. And understand here under the name of dog all kinds of unclean beasts, which were forbidden in the law to be offered.
15 See Lev. 11:7, 8, 26; Deut. 14:8, where not only the flesh of swine is forbidden to be eaten, but the Jews were not allowed to touch it without defiling themselves therewith.
16 Namely, for a memorial. See the annotation at Lev. 2 on verse 2. Hebr. he that maketh a remembrance of incense or frankincense.
17 Or, praiseth, that is, gives thanks, as if he were a true God.
18 See of the Hebrew word 1 Sam. 15 on verse 23.
19 The meaning is: They do not walk in the ways which I have prescribed unto them, but they choose ways unto themselves, that is, ways and manners of worship, or, their own wicked lusts and evil desires.
20 That is, in their idolatries and ceremonies, which are an abomination to Me. See 2 Chron. 15:8; Ezek. 20:7, with the annotations.
421I also will choose 22their delusions, and will bring 23their fears upon them; becauseb when 24I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they didc evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
21 As if God said: Have they chosen their own ways and walked in them, I also will choose the thing that I will do.
22 Other, I will also choose their inconsistencies, that is, I will also punish them for their hypocrisy, and will make them to trot up and down, and to go into captivity. Other, for the sake of their derisions, that is, I will discover their wickedness and hypocrisy, whereby they mean to blind Mine eyes.
23 Namely, the power of the Chaldeans and other enemies, of which they are afraid. See Job 39 on verse 22.
b Prov. 1:24; Jer. 7:13.
24 See Prov. 1:24; Isa. 50:2; 65:12; Jer. 7:13.
c Isa. 65:12.
5 ¶ 25Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; 26Your brethren that hated you, that 27cast you out 28for my name’s sake, 29said, 30Letd the LORD be glorified: 31but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
25 Here now God, or the prophet, speaks to the godly Israelites who lived in the time of the prophets, and who afterwards in the time of Christ would believe in Him, and would therefore be hated and persecuted of their brethren according to the flesh.
26 Namely, false brethren, hypocrites.
27 Or, separate, are averse from you, counting you unworthy of their company. See Isa. 65:5.
28 That is, because you profess the true religion, which I have given you to observe to the honor of My Name.
29 Namely, mocking at the threats which the Lord causes to be announced by His prophets.
30 As if they said: Let the Lord show His power on us by His punishments wherewith Thou dost threaten us. This those wicked men speak in a scoffing way, profanely rejecting all the threats and promises which the Lord made by His prophets. Compare Isa. 5:19.
d Isa. 5:19.
31 Or, verily, he [namely, the Lord] shall appear, that is, He shall surely come, to your joy [namely, to the joy of the godly], but they [namely, the wicked] shall be ashamed, that is, I will punish them and bring them to shame, without the possibility that their false gods, in whom they put their confidence, are able to delivered them.
632A voice of noise33 from 34the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
32 Other, the sound of a tumult.
33 Understand additionally: is heard. Some understand the words of this verse thus: There shall be heard an alarm and lamentation when the Chaldeans shall come to destroy the city of Jerusalem and the temple. This shall be the voice of the Lord, Who shall call or stir up the Chaldeans to punish the wicked Jews. Others take these words thus: The voice of the teachers of the Holy Gospel, who shall lift up their voice like a trumpet, shall go forth from Jerusalem, and is heard from the temple, Isa. 2:3, being a gracious voice unto the elect, but displeasing unto the enemies of God, 2 Chron. 2:15, 16.
34 Namely, Jerusalem.
7Before 35she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered 36of a man child.
35 Namely, Zion, verse 8, that is, the church of God. And, before she had pangs or sorrows, she brought forth, that is, the church of Christ shall increase suddenly and unawares, since quickly, above expectation, many of the Gentiles shall receive the Gospel, who shall be born unto her as children of God. See Acts 2:41, 47; 12:24. The Gentiles came in great multitudes, in place of the wicked and unbelieving Jews, to the congregation of Christ. See Acts 11:18, 23.
36 That is, a great and mighty people, which in verse 8 are called her children, that is, her sons; and in Exod. 4:22 God’s people are called God’s son and the firstborn. Compare with Rev. 12:5.
8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall 37the earth be made to bring forth 38in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as 39Zion travailed, she brought forth 40her children.
37 That is, the inhabitants of a land, a land full of people.
38 That is, suddenly in a short time.
39 That is, Zion brought forth her children as soon as her pangs and travail came upon her. This came to pass when the preaching of the Holy Gospel was speedily embraced.
40 Understand this of a great number of Gentiles who were gained unto Christ by faith. See verse 7.
941Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and 42shut the womb? saith thy God.
41 Or thus: Should I others break open the womb, and not make Zion to beget? Or thus: Should I bring to the birth and not cause to bring forth? That is, should I prepare a people for the Gospel, and give no grace to receive it, to profess it and to live according to it? Compare Isa. 37:3.
42 That is, remain, or cause to remain barren. See Gen. 16:2; 20:17, 18.
10Rejoice 43ye 44with Jerusalem, and be glad 45with her, all ye that love her: 46rejoice for joy with her, all ye that 47mourn for her:
43 O, ye faithful children of God, ye newborn christians, of whose birth is spoken in verse 8.
44 That is, with the church of God, the spiritual Jerusalem, which the Lord has built up again, and greatly increased by the calling of the Gentiles.
45 Or, over her, or, in her, that is, for her sake.
46 That is, be heartily joyful, as Mat. 2:10.
47 Namely, not only for the destruction of the earthly Jerusalem, but much more because the church of God is almost utterly oppressed by the enemies.
1148That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts 49of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted 50with the abundance of her glory.
48 That is, that ye may be partakers of the gifts which the Lord shall pour out abundantly upon His church. See the annotation Psalm 36 on verse 8.
49 That is, of her manifold comforts, wherewith she comforts wounded consciences. See 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.
50 Or, with the brightness of her glory.
12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend 51peace 52to her 53like a river, and 54the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall 55ye 56suck, ye shall be borne 57uponeher sides, and be 58dandled upon her knees.
51 The word peace is diversely taken in Holy Scripture; first, for spiritual peace, arising from faith in Christ, Rom. 5:1; secondly, for brotherly peace, which one person has with another, as Mark 9:50; John 14:27; thirdly, it signifies, besides rest from war, likewise all manner of health and prosperity, both in soul and in body. See Psalm 37 on verse 11.
52 Or, incline, or bow to her, namely, to Zion, that is, to My church.
53 See Isa. 48 on verse 18.
54 That is, riches. See Isa. 61 on verse 6; Rev. 21:26.
55 Namely, ye godly Jews.
56 Namely, the sincere milk of the Word of God.
57 That is, upon the arms. The meaning is: The christian church and her ministers shall deal very friendly and courteously with you, as a mother does with her tender babe, not omitting anything that might tend to your instruction and godliness. See Num. 11:12; Isa. 49:22; 60:4, 16; Rom. 15:1, 2; Gal. 6:1, 2; 1 Thes. 2:7.
e Isa. 49:22; 60:4.
58 Or, be embraced.
13As one whom his mother comforteth, so 59will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted 60in Jerusalem.
59 That is, I will show all fatherly and motherly affection towards you, and I will embrace you with lovingkindness. See Isa. 40:11.
60 That is, in the church of believers.
14And when ye see this, 61your heart shall rejoice, and 62your bones shall flourish 63like an herb: and 64the hand of the LORD shall be known 65toward his servants, and his 66indignation toward his enemies.
61 That is, your inward mind, or, inward man, Psalm 22:26; 69:32.
62 That is, ye shall be made hearty and lively by the power of God’s Spirit, whereas ye were before as it were dried up and withered through grief. The word bones signifies sometimes all the members of the body. See the annotation at Psalm 35 on verse 10; Psalm 51 on verse 8. See the contrary of this clause Prov. 17:22.
63 Which seems to be dead in the cold winter season, but is revived again when spring is there.
64 That is, the strength and power or the help of the Lord.
65 That is, towards all the godly.
66 Or, show anger. The Hebrew word also signifies loathing, detesting, as Num. 23:7, 8.
15For, behold, the LORD will come 67with fire, and with his 68chariots like a whirlwind, to 69render 70his anger with fury, and 71his rebuke with flames of fire.
67 Or, come in or as fire. This is a description of vengeance which the Lord shall exercise; and it may be understood of the corporal punishment which God shall bring on His enemies here in their life, as likewise at the day of judgment, 2 Thes. 1:8, 9. See also Jer. 5:14.
68 Understand here warlike chariots. Compare this with Psalm 68:17.
69 Or, to employ.
70 That is, His punishments.
71 That is, His wrath, His punishments. See Psalm 9 on verse 5.
16For by 72fire 73and by 74his sword will the LORD plead 75with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
72 Understand here the fire of Divine wrath and vengeance. See Job 22 on verse 20.
73 Some thus: that is with the sword.
74 Here some do understand the sword of the Chaldeans and of other enemies, which the Lord would send against the Jews; therefore he calls them his sword. But others understand here by the sword, the Word of God, as Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12.
75 That is, with all wicked men, who shall have been disobedient and rebellious against Him.
17They 76that 77sanctify themselves, and purify themselves 78in the gardens 79behind one tree 80in the midst, 81eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be 82consumed together, saith the LORD.
76 An explanation of what manner of enemies they were whom the Lord would destroy, namely, such as who honor idols, and who lead not their lives according to the law of God.
77 Namely, after the manner of idolaters, to please their false gods.
78 Or, for the gardens, that is, to go and offer in the gardens of idols. See Isa. 1:29; 65:3.
79 That is, one after another, or, after one another. Some understand here by one, a well or pool situated in the gardens, by or behind which they washed themselves with the water thereof, that they might so cleanse and purify themselves. Other, behind one tree, that is, behind a close row of trees dedicated to some idol. Other, behind the temple of the one, namely, God, Who is called one LORD, Deut. 6:4; also some among the heathen call God the one. Other, behind the temple of Achad, which Achad they conceive to be an idol among the Assyrians, representing the sun.
80 That is, openly.
81 See verse 3; Lev. 11:7, etc.
82 That is, be cut off or be destroyed.
18For I know 83their works and their thoughts: 84it shall come, 85that I will gather all nations and 86tongues; and they shall come, and 87see 88my glory.
83 Other, But as for me, O their works, etc. As if God, after He had in the previous verse reproved the abominable idolatry of the wicked Jews, would add a threat here, speaking as One provoked to anger with short, abrupt words. Or, these words may be thus placed: Should I bear with their works and with their thoughts? As if He said: I will by no means bear with them, but I will soon gather all the heathen, etc.
84 That is, the time shall come.
85 That is, instead of the wicked and ungodly Jews, I will call the Gentiles, and I will manifest My glory unto them.
86 That is, all kinds of nations, which speak different languages.
87 That is, be made partakers.
88 Which God the Lord reveals in the Gospel, redeeming mankind by Jesus Christ.
19And I will set 89a sign among them, and I will send those that 90escape of them unto the nations, 91to Tarshish, 92Pul, and 93Lud, 94that draw the bow, to 95Tubal, and 96Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard 97my fame, neither have seen my glory; and 98they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
89 Whereby the converted Jews may be known to be My children and servants. This mark is the profession of the doctrine of the christian faith, and the use of the holy sacraments; and inwardly the Holy Spirit, Whereby they are sealed, Eph. 1:13.
90 Namely, from the rejection of the greater part from the common ruin and the destruction of the Jews; this was fulfilled in the apostles and others who preached the Gospel among the Gentiles.
91 Namely, unto those who dwell in Tarshish, and so in the sequel. Of Tarshish see the annotation at 1 Kings 10 on verse 22.
92 It is conceived that this word signifies the Africans. Pul was also the name of one of the kings of Assyria. See 2 Kings 15:19, 20; 1 Chron. 5:26.
93 See Gen. 10 on verses 13 and 22.
94 Hebr. the bow-drawers, or the bow-benders, that is, those who shoot with the bow. Compare Jer. 46:9.
95 See Gen. 10 on verse 2.
96 That is, the Grecians. See Gen. 10:2.
97 Hebr. my hearing, that is, who have not heard of Me, who as yet had not heard the preaching of the Holy Gospel. See Rom. 10:16, 17. Other, that as yet had not heard the fame concerning my great power.
98 Or, the same, namely, whom I shall send unto the Gentiles, namely, the apostles, and other teachers, as Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, Luke, etc.
20And they shall bring 99all your brethren 100for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations 101upon horses, and in chariots, and 102in litters, and upon mules, and 103upon swift beasts, 104to my holy mountain 105Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
99 Namely, your brethren in Christ, or believers, the elect Gentiles, who, being converted by the preaching of the Holy Gospel, shall be made the children of Abraham, and consequently shall be the brethren of the Jews.
100 Or, for a sacrifice, to be offered unto the Lord. Other, for a gift. See Rom. 15:16. Likewise also in this verse.
101 That is, with all diligence or beneficial means.
102 Or, upon covered chariots, upon coaches.
103 Or, upon rapid beasts, or, upon post-horses.
104 That is, to the communion of the saints. See Isa. 2:2.
105 From verse 23 it may be gathered that this is not to be understood of the material Jerusalem, for, it is impossible that all flesh would come thither every month, or every week, to worship there.
21And I will also take 106of them 107for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
106 Namely, of the converted Gentiles.
107 That is, for teachers and for preachers of the Holy Gospel. See Rom. 15:16; Philip. 2:17.
22For as 108the newf heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall 109your seed and your name remain.
108 See Isa. 65 on verse 17; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1.
f Isa. 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1.
109 That is, there shall be and remain always a church and a small company of believers in the world. The Kingdom of Christ is called in Heb. 12:28 a kingdom which cannot be moved.
23And it shall come to pass, that 110from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath 111to another, shall 112all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
110 Hebr. from the time of the new moon to his new moon; that is, continually, from time to time, without distinction of days which were appointed in the Old Testament. Compare Col. 2:16.
111 Hebr. from sabbath to his sabbath.
112 That is, all kinds of nations upon earth, both Jews and Gentiles. See Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17. See also above on verse 20.
24And 113they shall go forth, and 114look upon 115the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for 116theirg worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be 117an abhorring unto 118all flesh.
113 Namely, the true members of the church, the believers.
114 And rejoice because of the righteous judgment of God upon the wicked, as well in this life as in that which is to come. Compare Rev. 12:10, etc.; 19:1, 2, etc.
115 This may indeed be taken according to the letter, as Isa. 34:3 and elsewhere; yet here it may be also taken for those who are dead in sins, though they be alive according to the body, as 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 20:5.
116Christ applies these words to the damned in hell, where the worm of conscience never dies, but always gnaws, and where the fire of God’s wrath is never quenched, Mark 9:44.
g Mark 9:44.
117 Or, an abomination, or a curse. The Hebrew word is found only here and Dan. 12:2. In both places is spoken of obstinate sinners, of whom are loathed and abhorred by all good and godly people.
118 Namely, to all the elect children of God, or to all other creatures.