Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 3 · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
1, God forbidding Idolatrie, commanded true religion. 3, Promiseth blessings to them that keepe his commandements. 14, Threatneth curses to those that break them. 21, And as their stubbornesse increaseth, so shall his plagues. 40, He promiseth to remember his covenant at last, towards them that repent.
YE shall not make unto you, Idols; neither shall ye reare up unto you, a graven thing, or a pillar, neither shall ye set, any stone of imagerie, in your land; to bow downe your selves unto it: for I Iehovah, am your God. Ye shall keepe, my Sabbathes; and reverence, my Sanctuarie: I am Iehovah.
foreign
IF ye shall walke, in my statutes: and keepe, my comendements; and doe them. Then I will give your raines, in their season, and the land shall give, her increase; and the trees of the field, shall give their fruit. And your threshing, shall reach unto the vintage; and the vintage, shall reach unto the sowingtime: and ye shall eat your bread, to the full; and dwell in confident-safetie, in your land. And I will give peace, in the land; and yee shall lye-downe, and none shall make you afraid: and I will cause the evill beast to cease, out of the land; and the sword, shall not passe through your land. And ye shal pursue, your enemies: and they shall fall before you, by the sword. And five of you, shall pursue an hundred; and an hundred of you, shall pursue ten-thousand: and your enemies shall fall, before you, by the sword. And I will have-respect unto you; and make you fruitfull; and multiplie you: and establish my covenant with you. And ye shall eat old store, very-old: and bring-forth the old, because of the new. And I will set my Tabernacle, amongst you… and my soule, shall not lothe you. And I will walke, among you; and will be to you, a God: and you, shall be to mee a people. I am Iehovah your God, which brought you forth, out of the land of Egypt; from being servants to them: and I have broken the staves of your yoke, and made you goe, upright.
But if ye will not hearken, unto me: and will not doe, all these commandements. And if yee shall despise my statutes; and if your soule loath my judgements: so that yee doe not, all my commandements; that yee breake, my covenant. I also will doe this unto you; I will even appoint over you suddaintertour, the consumption, and the burningague; that consume the eyes, and pine-away the soule: and ye shall sow your seed, in vain; and your enemies, shall eat it. And I will set my face, against you; and ye shall be smitten, before your enemies: and they that hate you, shall rule over you; and yee shall flee; when none pursueth you.
And if yet for these, yee will not hearken unto me: then I will adde to chastise you, seven times for your sinnes. And I will breake, the excellencie of your power: and I will make your heavens as yron; and your earth, as brasse. And your strength shall be spent in vaine: and your land shall not give, her increase; and the trees of the land, shall not give their fruit.
And if ye walke with me, contrarie; and be not willing to hearken unto me: then I will adde plagues upon you; seven times, according to your sinnes. And I will send among you, wilde-beasts of the field, which shall robbe you of your children; and cut-off your cattell; and make you few: and your wayes, shall be desolate.
And if by these, ye will not be chastised, by me: but will walke with mee, contrary. Then will I also, walke with you, contrary: and even I, will plague you; seven times, for your sinnes. And will bring upon you, a sword; that shall avenge, the vengeance of the covenant; and ye shall be gathered, into your cities: and I will send the pestilence, among you; and yee shall bee given, into the hand of the enemie. When I shall breake unto you, the staffe of bread; then ten women shall bake your bread, in the oven; and they shall returne your bread, by weight, and yee shall eat, and not be satisfied.
And if for this, ye will not hearken unto …me: but will walke with me, contrary. Then I will walke with you, in wrath contrary; and I, even I will chastise you; seven times for your sinnes. And ye shall eat, the flesh of your sons: and the flesh of your daughters, shall ye eat. And I will destroy your high places; and cut-downe your Sunne-images: and cast your carkasses, upon the carkasses of your filthy idols: & my soule shall loath you. And I will make your cities, a wast; and will make-desolate, your Sanctuaries: and I will not smell, the smell of your rest. And I, will make the land desolate: and your enemies, which dwell therein, shall be astonished at it. And you, will I scatter among the heathens; and will draw out a sword, after you: and your land, shall be desolate; and your cities, shall be a wast. Then, shall the land injoy, her Sabbathes; all the dayes that it lyeth-desolate; and you, in your enemies land: then, shall the land rest, and injoy her Sabbathes. All the dayes that it lyeth-desolate, it shall rest: for that it rested not, in your Sabbathes, when ye dwelt upon it. And they that are left of you, I will even bring a softnesse, into their heart; in the lands of their enemies: and the sound of a driven leafe, shall pursue then; and they shall flee as fleeing from a sword, and shall fall, when none pusueth. And they shall fall, every man upon his brother, as before a sword, when none pursueth: and yee shall not have, power-to-stand; before your enemies. And ye shall perish among the heathens: and the land of your enemies, shall … you up. And they that are left of you, shal pi…e away in their iniquity, in your enemies lands: and also, in the iniquities of their fathers, they shall pine-away with them. And if they shall confesse their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers; with their transgression, which they transgressed against me: and also, that they have walked with me, contrary. And that I also, have walked with them, contrary; & have brought them, into the land of their enemies: if then, their uncircumcised heart, be humbled; and then, they accept of their iniquitie. Then will I remember, my covenant with Iakob: and also, my covenant with Isaak, and also my covenant with Abraham, will I remember, and I will remember the land. And the land, shall be left of them, and shall injoy her Sabbaths, while it lyeth-desolate, without them; and they, shall accept of their iniquitie: because even for-because, they despised my judgements; and their soule loathed my statutes. And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies; I will not despise them nor loath them, to consume them; to breake my covenant, with them: for, I am Iehovah, their God. But I will remember unto them, the covenant of their Ancestors: them whom I brought forth, out of the land of Egypt, before the eyes of the heathens; to be unto them, a God; I Iehovah. These, are the Statutes and the Iudgements, and the Lawes; which Iehovah gave, betweene him and the sonnes of Israel: in mount Sinai, by the hand of Moses.
Annotations.
IDols] in Hebrew Elilim, that is, Vanities or things of nought: in Greeke, things made-with hands. Of these and the making of them, see the notes on Levit. 19. 4. and Exod. 20. 4. graven thing] which the Chaldee expoundeth an image: see Exod. 20. 4. pillar] or statue, or standing-image; which hath the name of setting-up, or standing; and seemeth to have beene usually of stone; as Iakob set up a stone for a pillar, Gen. 28. 18. and 35. 14. And pillars were set up either for civil moniments; as was the pillar on Rachels grave, Gen. 35. 20. and Absoloms pillar, 2 Sam. 18. 18. or for religious moniments, as were altars; Gen. 35. 14. Esa. 19. 19. these latter are here forbidden, after that God had appointed the place and ordinances of his worship; and he signifieth his hatred of them, in Deut. 16. 22. Yet were they used, not onelyonly by the heathens, as in Egypt, Ier. 43. 13. but by the idolatrous Israelites, 1 King. 14. 23. 2 King. 17. 10. The Hebrewes say, Matsebah (the Pillar or Statue) which the Law forbiddeth, is a building (or edifice,) by which all doe gather themselves together, though it be to serve the LORD; because such was the manner of Idolaters; and who soreareth up a pillar, is to be beaten. Maimony treat. of Idolatrie, chap. 6. sect. 6. And Sol. Iarchi on Deut. 16. 22. saith; Matsebah (the Pillar) is a stone to offer upon; though it bee to (the God of) heaven. set] or put, lay: Hebr. give. Whereby also he may forbid the sufferance of such in their land; for elsewhere they are willed to destroy their pictures, Num. 33. 52. and giving is often used for suffering, see Gen. 20. 6. stone of imagerie] or, stone of picture, or of figure, that is, any pictured or figured stone, or image of stone: the Chaldec calleth it stone of adoration (or of worship) upon or unto which they used to bow downe. Of this word, pictures have their name, Num. 33. 52. Esa. 2. 16. The Hebrewes understand this of such stones as wherewith they used to pave their holy places, and bow downe upon them to serve their Gods. The stone of imagerie spoken of in the Law, although a man bow down him-selfe thereupon unto God, he is to be beaten: because it was the manner of Idolaters, to lay a stone before (the Idoll,) and to bow downe upon it; therefore they might not doe so unto the LORD. Maimony treat. of Idolatrie, chap. 6. sect. 6. … in your land] The Hebrewes understand this Law, of stones upon which they worshipped; doe by the land here, understand all other places save the Sanctuarie, which was paved with stone, upon which they bowed downe. In the Sanctuarie it was lawfull to bow downe upon the stones; as it is written IN YOVR LAND: in your land ye may not bow downe upon stones, but ye may bow downe upon the stones wherewith the Sanctuarie is paved. And for this cause, all Israel are wont to lay matts or some such thing, in the Synagogues which are paved with stone; to make a separation betweene their faces and the stones, &c. Maimony ibidem sect. 7. But this seemeth to savour of superstition, for God forbiddeth not stones simply, but stones of imagerie, which were pictured or graved with figures. unto it] or, upon it; for so both the Hebrew and Chaldee may be Englished; but the Greeke translateth unto it. And the Hebrew doctors, understanding it to be a prohibition of bowing downe upon any such stone, though unto the true God, doe determine the punishment to bee beating by the magistrate: whereas if they bowed upon it to an idoll, they were stoned to death (according to the law in Deut. 13. 10.) Maimony treat. of Idolatrie, ch. 6. sect. 6. 8.
Vers. 2. Sabbathes] in Chaldee Sabbath dayes: see Levit. 19. 3. 30. reverence] or feare foreign see Levit. 19. 30. where these lawes were before given; and are here repeated, as generals implying all other religious duties, because God would by promises and threatnings confirme his whole Law, & binde his people to the more carefull obedience.
foreign Here beginneth the three and thirtieth Section or Lecture of the Law, after the Hebrewes computation: whereof see Gen. 6. 9.
Vers. 3. Walke in my statutes] This maketh men just before God, Luk. 1. 6. and if the Law could give life, (and were not weake through the flesh, Rom. 8. 3.) verily justice should have beene by the Law, Gal. 3. 21. but when the commandement commeth, Sinne reviveth, and man dyeth, Rom. 7. 9. Therefore by the workes of the Law, there shall no flesh be justified in Gods sight. Rom. 3. 20. but she just shall live by faith, Gal. 3. 11. and by faith this condition here required, is fulfilled; as Enorh walked with God, Gen. 5. 24. when hee pleased him by faith, Heb. 11. 5. 6. This then according to the letter, is legall; and promiseth life to them which doe these things, Rom. 10. 5. but spiritually leadeth unto Christ, who is the end of the Law, for justice to every one that beleeveth, Gal. 3. 24. Rom. 10. 4.
Vers. 4 your raines] in Greeke, raine unto you: hee meaneth the raine of the land, the first raine and the latter raine, whereof see Deut. 11. 14. These none can give but God, Ier. 14. 22. they figured spirituall blessings, by the doctrine of the Gospell of Christ, Deut. 32. 2. Psal. 72. 6. 2 Sam. 23. 4. their season] that is, due season; so they make the earth fruitfull: and are of the Lords good treasure, which hee openeth unto men, Deut. 28. 12. and should move them to feare him, Ier. 5. 24. her increase] or her fruit; which is an effect of the raine, through Gods blessing; for when the showers of blessing come in their season, the tree of the field yeeldeth her fruit, and the earth her increase, Ezek. 34. 26. 27. And this is spiritually applied to our earthly nature, made fruitfull unto God through the raine and dewes of his graces, and so it receiveth of him a blessing: Ps. 67. 7. and 85. 12. 13. Heb. 6. 7. 8. Of the Hebrewes, R. Menachem here saith, the land hath a mysticall signification of the land that is on high.
Vers. 5. reach unto the vintage] or, to the grape-gathering: meaning hereby large blessings, with a bundance and variety of fruits, continued one after another. The like figurative promises are given to the Church under the Gospell, in Amos. 9. 13. saying, The plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes, him that soweth seed. to the full] or, to satietie: this signifieth abundance from God, Ioel 2. 26. and contentation in men; as they that are never content, are said not to know satietie, Esa. 56. 11. and when God withholdeth increase, they eat, but not to satietie: Hag. 1. 6. Thus God fed them with Manna to the full, Exod. 16. 8. and promiseth so to feed the poore & meeke under Christ, Psal. 13…. 15. and 22. 27. The just eateth to the satietie of his soule: Pro. 13. 25. in confident safety] or, in hopefull securitie, safely. The Hebrew Betach signifieth trust, hope, or confidence, Act. 2. 26. from Psalme 16, which ought to be in God, Psal. 40. 5. whereupon followeth safety through his defense, as the Greeke here translateth, ye shall dwell in safety; and so men are secure and bold, without feare of disturbance; Gen. 34. 25. as in Psal. 78. 53. Hee led them with confident safety; and they dreaded not. This as it is a blessing which God onelyonly giveth, Psal. 4. 9. so it is promised to the obedient, Prov. 21. 33. and is performed to such as are in the sheepefold of Christ, Ezek. 34. 25. 27. 28.
Vers. 6. peace] This though generally it signifieth all prosperitie, yet sometime it is specially opposed to the sword, Matth. 10. 34. and unto warre, Psal. 120. 7. which seemeth to be that which is intended here, as the former was against famine. none shall make you afraid] This God promiseth to fulfill under Christ, Ieremie 30. 10. Ezekiel 34. 28. Mich. 4. 4. cause the evill beast to cease] that is, as the Greeke translateth, I will destroy evill beasts; one being put for a multitude, or many; and ceasing being used for utter abolishing, as in Exod. 12. 15. Psal. 119. verse 119. or at least, for repressing their rage and furie: for in Israel, Lions, Beares, and the like, sometime destroyed the inhabitants, 2 King. 17. 25. 26. and 2. 24. This promise is applied also to the Church under the Gospell, Ezek. 34. 25. So in Iob 5. 23. the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. The contrary followeth in verse 22. By the evill beasts, R. Menachem here understandeth mystically vicious lusts, the powers of uncleannesse, which flew from the uncleane Spirit; that they shal not prevaile to pollute the land which is on high. So they seeme to call our nature regenerate, as the Apostle calleth the Church, Ierusalem which is on high, Gal. 4. 26. the sword] used ordinarily for warre, when it is spoken of men; but the Lords sword, is explained to be the pestilence, 1 Chro. 21. 12. which may specially be intended here; and so God promiseth blessings, opposed to his foure sore judgements, which are the sword (or warre) the famine, the evill beast, and the pestilence, mentioned in Ezek. 14. 21. and Revel. 6. 8. Or, if we understand this sword for warres; then under peace aforesaid, may the promise be implyed against the sword of the Lord the pestilence. These blessings; though they concerne this life, yet the end of them is to lead to life eternall; so the Hebrewes of old understood them, as their later doctors (though wandring out of the way of life) doe witnesse, saying: The holy blesed (God) hath given us a Law, which is the Tree of life; and whosoever doth all that is written therein, and knoweth him with a perfect knowledge, shall thereby be made worthy of the life of the World to come &c. And he hath promised us in the Law, that if wee doe it with joy and goodnesse of soule, and exercise our selves in the … dome thereof continually; he will remove from us, al things that may let us from doing it, as sicknesse, and warre, and famine, and the like. And he will supply us with all good things, that may strengthen our … to doe the Law, as satietie and peace, and store of silver and gold; that we be not imployed all our dayes, in the things which the body hath need of; but may be made fit to … wisedome, and to doe the Commandements, that we may be worthy of the life of the world to come. Maimony in treat. of Repentance, chap. 9. sect. 1. Thus they followed after the Law of righteousnesse, but attained not to it, because they sought it not by … in Christ, but as it were by the workes of the Law; … they have stumbled at the stumbling stone, Roman 9. 31. 31.
Vers. 8. five of you shall pursue a hundred] This promise is inlarged in Ios. 23. 10. One man of you … pursue a thousand: and was notably performed it Davids Worthies, 1 Chron. 11. of whom some one lift up his speare against eight hundred, and slew three hundred at one time, 2 Sam. 23. 8. 18. 1 Chro. 11. 11. Three men brake through the host of the Philistines, 1 Chron. 11. 18. Of the Gadites, there were men that had faces like the faces of Lyons, and were as swift as the Roes of the mountaines, 1 Chron. 12. 8. And David himselfe celebrateth this mercy, I pursued mine enemies, and overtooke them: and turned not, till I had consumed them: Psal. 18. 38. 2 Sam. 22. 38. See also Deut. 32. 30.
Vers. 9. I will have respect] or turne my face, in Greeke, I will looke upon you and blesse you: and the Chaldee expoundeth it, I will have respect by my word to doe good unto you. For this grace David prayed, Psal. 25. 16. and 69. 17. and when God delivered Israel from their enemies, it is said, hee had respect unto them, because of his covenant, &c. 2 King. 13. 23. The contrary hereto, is the hiding of Gods face, Deut. 32. 20. fruitfull] or, to increase; as he had done before in Egypt, Exod. 1. 7. This blessing is acknowledged, in Nehem. 9. 23. Their children thou multiplyest, as the starres of heaven: and promised to be again under Christ; I will bring (my sheep…) againe to their folds, and they shall be fruitfull and increase: Ier. 23. 3. establish my covenant] that is, faithfully keepe, and continue to doe the things which I have promised: see the notes on Gen. 6. 18.
Vers. 10. very-old] in Greeke, old of old things: this respecteth the increase of their land, as the … did of their bodies. See Levit. 25. 22. because of] or, as the Gr. translateth, from the face of the new: they should bring forth the old, for want of roomth to lay up the new. This fruitfulnesse of the land, figured the many graces wherewith God would inrich the hearts of his people: as in vers. 4. For how ever God perswadeth his people, by promise of outward blessings, to keepe his Law; yet the end of the commandement is love, out of a pure hart, end of a good conscience, and of faith unfaigned, 1 Tim. 1. 5. and such as for worldly benefits receive the word of the Lord, when tribulation or persecution arisith, because of the word, by and by they …are offended; Matth. 13. 21. The Hebrewes say, All love that dependeth on a thing, when the thing ceaseth, the love ceaseth. He that serveth the blessed God, to the end that his riches may be multiplied, or his life preserved; his service is not perfect: as Satan said (in Iob. 1. 9. 10.) doth Iob feare God for nooght? Hast thou not made an hedge about him, &c. He that serveth God because of bodily things, on which his service dependeth; it shall not be confirmed unto light in the light of the living. For when those things cease, for which he serveth: his love will cease. And there is no eating and drinking in the state of death whether thou goest. But hee that serveth God out of intire love, his love shall be in life everlasting, and shall not depart for ever, and his reward that loveth God, shall be eternall. R. Elias in Reshith chochmah, treat. of Love, chap. 2. fol. 77. See also the annotations on Exod. 20. 6.
Vers. 11. set my tabernacle] Hebr. give, that is, set and stablish it; for both these wayes, is giving expounded by the holy Ghost, as 1 King. 10. 9. compared with 2 Chron. 9. 8. and 2 Sam. 7. 24. with 1 Chron. 17. 22. Gods Tabernacle was a signe of his dwelling in favour amongst them, Revel. 21. 3. See the annotations on Exod. 25. 8. The … signification was concerning Christ, who should dwell in the Tabernacle of our flesh; by whom God built againe the Tabernacle of David, which was fallen downe, Act. 15. 16. and in him God was reconciling the world unto himselfe, 2 Cor. 5. 18. and under this figure, eternal life in heaven was implied; For we know, that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternall in the heavens, 2 Cor. 5. 1. And that the Israelites had of old, the true understanding of these promises, that they belonged to the dayes of Christ, and the end of them was eternall life in heaven; it appeareth by the footsteps which yet remaine in their later doctors, though they have quenched the light of grace, in labouring to have it by the workes of the Law. For they say, For this cause, have all Israel, their Prophets and their Wise men desired the dayes of Christ, that they might have rest from the kingdomes, which will not suffer them to study in the Law, &c. that they might be worthy of the life of the world to come. For in those dayes, knowledge and wisedome, and truth shall be multiplied; as it is written, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD. (Esa. 11. 9.) it is also written, And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, &c. (Ier. 31. 34.) againe it is said, And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, (Ezek. 36. 26.) For that King which shall stand up of the seed of David, shall be more wise then Solomon, &c. and therefore he shall learne all the people, and teach them the way of the Lord; and all the heathens shall come to heare him, (Mich. 4. 1. 2.) And the end of all the reward, and later goodnesse which is without ceasing and diminishing, that is the life of the world to come. But the dayes of Christ are of this world, and the world goeth after the wonted manner, save that the kingdome shall be restored to Israel, Maimony treat. of Repentance: chap. 9. sect. 2. Thus they speake, missing the right way, by going about to establish their owne righteousnesse, Rom. 10. 3. and mistaking Christs kingdome, which though it be in this world, yet is it not of the same, Ioh. 18. 36. my soule shall not lothe you] or, not abhorre, not cast you away as vile and lothesome. Man is by nature lothsome through sinne; as it is said, Thou wast cast-out into the open field, to the loathing of thy soule (or person,) in the day that thou wast borne, Ezek. 16. 5. But through the grace of God in Christ, our bloods are washed away, and we are adorned with the gifts of his spirit, Ezek. 16. 8. 9. 10. So this promise concerneth such as keepe the covenant of God, that they shall not lothesomly be rejected. For my soule, the Chaldee translateth my word shall not loath you. So in verse 30. Aben Ezra explaineth it thus, And I will set my Tabernacle amongst you, and ye shall not feare that ever ye shall come into want: for my glory resideth with you, and it is not as the sonne of man, whose soule loatheth to dwell in one place.
Vers. 12. I will walke among you] the Chaldee paraphraseth, I will cause my divine majestie to dwell among you; that Majestie is Christ, who by his spirit is with his church al dayes unto the worlds end, Math. 28. 20. who walketh in the midst of the seven golden Candlestickes, Revel. 2. 1. For his people are his Temple wherein he dwelleth, as it is written, yee are the Temple of the living God, as God hath said; I will dwell in them and walke in them, 2 Cor. 6. 16. For Gods walking, was in his Tabernacle; 2 Sam. 7. 6. See also Revel. 7. 15. and 21. 3. VnderUnder this, eternall life was also promised in heaven, whither Christ went to prepare a place for us, and will come againe to receive us unto him selfe; that where hee is, there we may be also, Ioh. 14. 2. 3. a God] or for a God: that is, as the Greeke translateth, your God; of which blessing, see the annotations on Gen. 17. 7.
V. 13. from being servants to them] under whom, all sinfull servitud… was also signified; from which the church is redeemed by Christ, as from Sinne, Ioh. 8. 34. 36. from Satan, Heb. 2. 14 15. and from bondage to men in things concerning God, as it is said, Ye are bought with a price, be not yee the servants of men: 1 Cor. 7. 23. slaves of your yoke] or, barres, of your yoke: meaning the bondage of Egypt, and of sin which they were intangled with there, Ezek. 20. 7. 8. For though bonds and yokes signifie civill bondage, as in Ier. 27. 2. 3. 6. 7. 2 Chron. 10. 4. yet the wicked is also holden in the cords of his sin, Prov. 5. 22. And of this, the church complaineth, The yoke of my trespasses, is bound by his hand; they are wreathed, they are come-up upon my necke, Lam. 1. 14. And from this Christ hath freed us, as it was promised, his yoke (shall be removed) from off thy necke, and the yoke shall be destroyed, because of the Oile, (that is, for Christs sake) Esa. 10. 27. So in Ezek. 34. 24. 27. Ier. 2. 20. Contrariwise, for their sins God threatneth them with a yoke of y…on, Deut. 28. 48. The Hebrew M…t, is properly … staffe, Numb. 13. 23. and so is used for the staves or barres of yokes, and for yokes themselves, as in Ier. 27. 2. where it is joyned with bonds, where with the staves of the y…e are tyed. made you goe upright] or, with upright-stature; not stouping as under the yoke: to the Chaldee saith, I led you forth into freedome, and the Greeke, I led you with boldnesse. This also figured our redemption by Christ, whereby the Churches stature is made upright and tall, like the P…e tree, Song 7. 7. which grace when Israel rejected, God bowed downe their backe alway, Romans 11. 10.
Vers. 14. not hearken to me] that is, as the Greeke saith, not obey me; and the Chaldee, not receive my word. So in verse 18. Here followeth many moe threatnings, whereby God prophesied of their falling from him, and his judgements upon them, till they should be restored by grace, verse 44. 45. So in Deut. 28.
Vers. 15. despise] or, contemptuously reject, as Israel did, 2 King 17. 15. Ier. 6. 19. Ezek. 5. 6. and 20. 13. 24. lothe or abhorre, as after (in verse 43.) he …th they would doe; for which he repayed them according, as the Prophet saith; hath thy soule loathed Sion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is, no healing for us? Ier. 14. 19. all my Com.] with this also they are charged, in Ier. …2. 23. whatsoever thou commandedst them to dee, they have not done. breake] or, make frustrate, as Gen. 17. 14. and this God foretelleth Moses that Israel would doe, Deu…. 31. 16. 20. and complaineth to Ieremie that they had done it, Ier. 11. 10. and other Prophets charge them with the like, Esa. 24. 5. Ezek. 16. 59. To bre… the covenant, is expounded by the Apostle, not continuing in it, Heb. 8. 9. from Ier. 31. 32. as on the contrary, to confirme it, is to continue in doing … things commanded, Deut. 27. 26. with Gal. 3. 10.
Vers. 16. appoint] or, constitute, give charge, … that which should have authoritie over them, shewing the power of Gods judgements. Comp… Psal. 109. 6. suddaine-terrour] speedy-plag… which shall consume in hast: the perform… whereof is shewed in Psal 78. 33. hee consum… their dayes with suddaine-terrour. So in Ierem. 15 8. Zeph. 1. 18. consumption] or, shaking-ague… Greeke, scabbednesse: so in Deut. 28. 22. and … where the word is not used. the burning-agu… or, fever: the Greeke here translateth it the … dise; but better in Deut. 28. 22. the fever, … … which hath the name orinally of burning. This … ease, Christ cured, on such as were ready to … therewith, Luk. 4. 38. 39. Ioh. 4. 47. 52. … consume] or make fayle, in Chaldee, that darken … eyes: this is referred to all the former disease; … the Greeke interpreteth it by a word that signifieth consuming with unnaturall heat. Or thi… consuming of the eyes, David complaineth in the person of Christ, Psal. 69. 4. pine-away] make languish, with sorrow, care, paine and hunger; as in Ier. 31. 25. filling is opposed to the pining soule: the Greeke translateth, make your soule to melt away. The word is applied also to the languishing of the eyes. Psal. 88. 10. but here, and in Deut. 28. 65. to … pining or languishing-sorrow of the soule, meaning of the wholeman, or life; as the Chaldee … translateth it, the breathing-out of the soule. … mies shall eate it] The like is threatned in Deut. 28. 33. 51. and by other Prophets; as, Loe I will … a nation on you from farre, &c. and they shall … thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sonnes and … daughters should eat: they shall eate up thy flockes … thine herds; they shall eate up thy vines and thy fig… Ier. 5. 17. The contrary is promised in Christ … shall not plant, and another eate, &c. they shall … bour in vaine: Esa. 65. 22. 23. And the Lord … sworne, Surely I will no more give thy corne, … meat for thine enemies, Esa. 62. 8.
Vers. 17. set my face] Heb. give my face, which the Chaldee translateth mine anger: so face is used for anger: Levit. 20. 5. 6. Psal. 21. 10. …] that is, as the Chaldee expoundeth, broken; in … ye shall fall before your enemies. Contrary to the blessing in vers. 7. 8. and Deut. 28. 7. This judg…ment was executed, Iudg. 2. 14. 1 Sam. 4. 2. and … rule over you] in Greeke, persecute you. This was verified, Psal. 106. 41. They that hated them, … over them; and in Nehem. 9. 28. After they had … they returned to doe evill before thee: therefore th… test them in the hand of their enemies, so that they … the dominion over them. But when God sheweth mercy to Israel, hee promiseth they shall rule … their oppressours, Esa. 14. 2. none pursueth] This sheweth great fearefulnesse of heart, through guiltinesse of conscience for sinne; fearing where no feare is, Psal. 53. 6. So in Pro. 28. 1. The wicked flee, when no man pursueth. Hereof there is a lively description in Iob 15. 20. 21. &c. and the contrary in Psalme 27. 1. 2. &c.
Vers. 18. not hearken] or, not obey; in Chaldee, not receive my word: as vers. 14. Here God, to shew his long-sufferance, and the more to affect his people, chastiseth by degrees, according to the measure of their sinnes, and prophesieth of their stubbornenesse, who would not amend with light punishments; whereof he after complaineth thus, In vaine have I smitten your children, they received no correction: Ieremie 2. 30. seven times] a certaine number, for an uncertaine, meaning many times; seven is a complete number, as is noted on Gen. 33. 3. Levit. 4. 6.
Vers. 19. the excellencie] or, the pompe, pride, haugh…inesse of your strength; called elsewhere, the excellencie (or pomp) of the strong-ones; Ezek. 7. 24. This is in particular, applied to their Sanctuarie and religion, in Ezek. 24 21. Behold I will profane my Sanctuarie, the excellencie of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and the pitie of your soule. Though it implieth generally all other things, wherein strength and excellencie doe consist: see Ezek. 30. 6 18. and 33. 28. will make] Hebr. will give your heavens, that is, as the Chaldee translateth, the heavens that are over you: and so Moses expoundeth it in Deut. 28. 23. as yron] the Chaldee explaineth it, hard as yron, that they shall not give-downe raine; and the earth that is under you, strong as brasse, that it shall yeeld no fruit. So in Deut. 28. 23. save that there Moses likeneth the heavens to brasse, and the earth to yron. This is contrary to the blessing promised in verse 4. And the complement hereof is shewed in Ier. 14. 1. 2. &c. where a dearth is mentioned for which Iudah mourned, her gates languished, the cry of Ierusalem ascended; their Nobles sent their little ones for water, but they found none, they returned with the vessels empty; the ground was chapt, for there was no raine in the earth: the Hind calved in the field, and forsooke it; the wilde asses snuffed up the wind, & their eyes fayled, because there was no grasse.
Vers. 20. her increase] the increase, or fruit ex…pected; or which otherwise it should naturally yeeld; so in Genes. 4. 12. And this is an effect of the former restraining of raine, as Hag. 1. 10. Deuter. 11. 17. The word increase, is in Greeke translated spo…, seed sowne: and so Paul useth it in like sense, saying, hee that ministreth seed to the sower, &c. multiply your seed-sowne; (that is, your increase,) 2 Corinth. 9. 10. the trees] the complement hereof is shewed, in Ioel 1. 12. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate-tree, the palme tree also and the apple-tree, all the trees of the f…ld are withered. their fruit] the fruit which naturally they should bring …orth. So another Prophet saith; There shall be no grapes on the vine, nor …gges on the fig tree; and the leafe shall fade, and the things that I have given them, shall passe away from them, Ier. 8. …3.
Verse 21. contrarie] Hebr. in contrarietie, (which word …, is added in verse. 27.) or, at all-adventure, by chance. The Hebrew Keri; signifieth both contrarietie, and chance or accident: the Greeke translateth it contrary (or thwart) as opposing themselves to God and his commandements: the Chaldee expoundeth it, if yee walke before mee with hardnesse, (that is, stubbornely.) If we understand it for chance or adventure, the meaning is to walke carelesly; come upon it what will; and to esteeme the punishments not as from the hand of God for their sins, but to come by chance, as the Philistines said, in 1 Sam. 6. 9. then we shall know that it is not (the LORDS) hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. This latter the Hebrewes follow; for speaking of tribulations upon them, they say, If men cry not to the Lord, but say, this thing happeneth to us according to the custome of the world, and this tribulation is a chance that hath befallen us; then is this the way of cruelty, and occasioneth them to cleave still unto their evill workes, & this tribulation, shall adde other tribulations; as it is written (in Lev. 26. 27. 28.) and (if) yee walke with me by chance, then I will walke with you in wrath (or heat) of chance: as if he should say, when tribulation commeth on you, to the end you might repent, if you say it is a chance. I will adde unto you the hot-wrath of that chance. Maim. in Misn. tom. 1. in Taanioth, (or treat. of Humiliation) ch. 1. sect. 3. not willing to hearken] or, will not obey; which the Chaldee expoundeth, will not receive my word. An higher degree of obstinacie is here foreseene and prophesied of this people; the complement whereof, the Prophet bewaileth, saying, Oh Lord, thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder then a Rocke, they have refused to returne, Ier. 5. 3.
Vers 22. wilde beasts] as God sent fierie serpents, Num. 21. 6. Lions, 2 King. 17. 25. Beares, 2 King. 2. 24. and threatneth other the like, Esa. 13. 21. 22. And spiritually, these are wicked rulers, and tyrants that kill and spoile, as Prov. 28. 15. Dan. 7. 3. 4. 5. 6. Psal. 80. 13. and false Prophets that devoure soules, Matth. 7. 15. Revel. 13. 1. 2. &c. So the Prophet (speaking of their punishments by Tyrants) saith, A Lion out of the forrest shall slay them; a Wolfe of the evenings, shall spoile them; a Leopard, shall watch over their cities; every one that goeth out thence, shall be torne in pieces, because their transgressions are many, &c. Ierem. 5. 6. And of their Prophets he saith, O Israel, thy Prophets, are like the Foxes in the deserts; Ezek. 13. 4. See also Ier. 8. 17. and 15. 3. desolate] or lye-waste, because there shall bee none walking in them, Esa. 33. 8. Ezek. 14. 15. For this Ieremie lamented, The wayes of Sion doe mourne, because none come to the solemne-feasts, Lam. 1. 4.
Vers. 23. by me] or to me, that is, so as to obey me: the Chaldee saith, to my word. contrarie] or, stubbornely; or, at all adventures, as verse 21.
Verse 24. contrarie] Hebrew in contrarietie: Chaldee in hardnesse; the Greeke addeth, with contrary wrath, as in verse 28. GOD dealeth with men according to their wickednesse, and with the froward, hee sheweth himselfe w…y, Psal. 18. 27.
Verse 25. a sword] the Chaldee explaineth it, them that kill with the sword: see before on vers. 6. vengeance of the covenant] meaning the covenant between God and his people, which was the Law; as the Chaldee expoundeth it; and it shall a… on you, the vengeance for that ye have transgressed against the words of the La…. So in Ier. 50. 28. he mentioneth the vengeance of the Lords Temple, that is, the punishment of the Babylonians, for robbing and burning his Temple. yee shall be gathered] to went, for feare of the sword, the Greek translateth, yee shall flee into your cities. the pestilence] in Greeke and Chaldee, death; see the annotations on Exod. 5. 3. It implieth the cutting off by death, of man and beast, as Ezek. 14. 19. 21.
Vers. 26. breake unto you the staffe of bread] that is, take from you the bread, which is the staffe (or sustentation) of life. So the Greeke translateth, wh…n I shall afflict you with penury of bread. For as to breake bread, meaneth to communicate food, Act. 2. 46. so to breake the staffe of bread, meaneth on the contrary, to take away food, and to punish with pe…ury and famine, Psal. 105. 16… Ezek. 4. 16. and 5. 16. and 14. 13. Bread is called a staffe, (or stay) because it upholdeth the heart of man, Psal. 104. 15. then ten] Hebr. and ten, that is, many: so ten often signifieth many, as Gen. 31. 7. Zach. 8. 23. Iob 19. 3. by weight] a signe of scarcitie and want; Revel. 6. 5. 6. So it is said, I will breake the staffe of bread in Ierusalem, and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care, and they shall drinke water by measure, and with astonishment: that they may want bread and water, and b… astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquitie, Ezek. 4. 16. 17. nor be satisfied] or, not have enough; either for the small quantitie, or for want of Gods blessing on that they eat: so in Hos 4 10. Mich. 6. 14. This is opposed to the former blessing, in verse 5. And under it, a spirituall famine is implied, as it is said, I will send a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for …ater, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the North even to the East they shall run to and fr…, to secke the word of the Lord, and shall not finde it. Amos 8. 11. 12.
Vers. 27. not …rken] or, not obey; in Chaldee, not receive my Word, … in verse …. contrarie] Heb. … chance: see the notes on v. 21.
Vers. 28. in wrath contrary] Heb. in wrath (or hear) of …riat … (o… of all adventures,) which the Chaldee …nslateth, in strength (or vehementie) of anger: the Greeke, in contrary (or …) wrath. And the word wrath be… added, sheweth the increase of Gods judgements, as of the peoples sinnes. … I▪ This addition was, lest they should impute their chastisements, to any other then God, (as the heathens did to Chance, 1 Sam. 6. 9.) and to note the certainty and inevitablenesse of their afflictions.
Vers. 29. the flesh of … sonnes] in Greeke, the fleshes; and so the word is used plurally in Rev. 19. 18, This threatning is repeated and inlarged, in Deuteronomic 28. 53. 57. mentioned also in Ezek. 5. 10. fulfilled in Iehorams dayes, 2 King. 6. 29. and lamented in Ieremies, who saith, The hands of the pittifull women, have sodd… their owne children: they were their meat, in the destruction of the daughter of my people; Lam. 4. 10.
Vers. 30. well destroy your high places] in G…eeke, will make desolate your pillars. In high-places, they used to assemble for worship and sacrifice, 2 Chro. 1. 3. 1 King. 3. 4. especially the Idolaters erected and used such, Ier. 32. 35. Ezek. 16. 16. 2 Chro. 11. 15. and 33. 3. though all the Prophets foretold their destruction, as doth Moses; Hos. 10. 8. Amos 7. 9. Ezek. 6. 3. 4. 6. And by high-places, understand buildings erected; as of Iosiah it is said, he burnt an high-place; and stampt it small to powder: 2 King. 23. 15. Sun-images] called in Hebrew, Chammanim, of Chammah, the Sunne, which Idolaters were wont to worship, 2 Chron. 23. 5. and the Kings of Iudah gave horses to the Sun, and charrets, 2 King. 23. 11. and these Sunne-images, they used to set on high, above the Altar, 2 Chronicles 34. 4. And God here threatneth their ruine, as also in Ezek. 6. 4. 6. The Greeke here translateth them wooden-images made with hands; but in Esa. 27. 9. idols. cast your carkasses] or lay; Hebr. give your carkasses, that they shall not have seemely buriall, or be suffered to rest in their graves; as in Ezek. 6. 4. 5. 13. he saith, I will cast downe your slaine men before your filthy idols; and I will give the carkasses of the sonnes of Israel, before their filthy idols; and will scatter your bones, round about your altars. And in Ierem. 8. 1. 2. At that time saith the Lord, they shall bring out the bones of the Kings of Iudah, and the bones of his Princes, and the bones of the Priests, and the bones of the Prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Ierusalem out of their graves: and they shall spread them before the Sun; and the Moone, and all the host of heaven, &c. they shall not be gathered, nor bee buried; they shall be for doung, upon the face of the earth. This judgement Iosiah fulfilled in part, when he burnt the bones of the Priests upon the altars; 2 Chro. 34. 5. 2 King. 23. 20. But special…y it: was accomplished by the heathens that destroyed them; Ps. 79. …. 2. 3. filthy idols] or doung… gods, so called in contempt Gillul…, Excrements or Doung; the Grand Chaldee, here and often … them idols. my soule] in Chaldee, my Word shall loath (or abhorre) you: This is opposed unto the promise, in verse 11. and it is manifested by Gods judgments on this people, as the Prophet complaineth, Hath thy soule loathed Sion? Why hast thou smitten us, and … healing for u…? &c. Ierem. 14. …9.
Vers. 31. a waste] … …-place, a desert: so in verse 33. This was … even on Ierusalem it selfe, Nehem. 2. 17. So that not onelyonly their idols and idolatrous monuments, but their common wealth, and most religious places were rui…. And so by another Prophet he saith, I will make Ierusalem heapes, a denne of Dragons; and I will make the cities of Iudah a desolation, without an inhabitant, Ier. 9. 11. your Sanctuaries] or, as the Greek translateth, your holy-places: such as were the Tabernacle, (called a Sanctuarie, Exodus 25. 8.) and the Temple, … Chronicles 22. 19. and each of them, for the sundry roomths in them, (as the courtyard, holy and most holy place,) was called plurally, Sanctuaries, Psalme 73. 17. and 74. 7. Ier. 51. 51. The desolation of these is bewailed in Lam. 2. 7. And this judgement is opposed to that blessing in verse 11. I will set my Tabernacle amongst you. The Hebrewes referre this word Sanctuaries, to their Synagogues also, which they had in all their cities for the people to meet in on the Sabbathes, Luk. 4. 16. the ruinating of them, is complained of in Psal. 74. 8. they have burned all the Synagogues of God in the land. They had also Schooles or Academies, for trayning up their youth in the learning of the Law: such scholars of old were called Sonnes of the Prophets, 2 King. 2. 3. and 4. 38. and 5. 22. in ages following, they were named Disciples, Mark. 2. 18. The rites and orders of these, are in the Hebrew canons described thus. Schoolemasters were to be appointed in every province, & in every citie. And the master sate and taught them all the day long, and some part of the night; to traine them up for to learne both day and night. Five and twentie scholars, did learne by one Teacher: if there were moe, from five and twenty unto fortie; then they set another with him, to helpe him to teach them: if they were moe then fortie, they set them up two schoolemasters. They might not teach the Law, save to a Disciple of honest and good conversation: but if hee walked in a way not good, they first converted him unto goodnesse, and guided him into the right way, and made triall of him, and afterwards they received him into the Academie, (which they called in their tongue …th hammid rash, that is, an House of exposition, or studie,) and did teach him. The master sate in the chiefe place, and the disciples were in a round before him like a crowne; that they might all see the master and heare his words. And the Master sate not on a seat, and the Disciples on the ground: but either all on the ground, or all on seats. If when the Master taught, the Disciples understood him not: hee might not bee angry with them, but must againe repeat the thing, though it were many times, untill they understood the matter. Also the Disciple might not say, hee did understand, when hee understood not: but was to aske againe, though it were many times. Two might not aske together, nor aske the master of any other thing, then that wherein they studied. They might not sleepe in the schoole, nor talke there of any other matter, then of (Gods) Law onelyonly: for the holinesse of the schoole, was greater then the holinesse of the Synagogue. These and other like orders, are shewed by Maimony, in Thalmud T…ra…, chapter 2. and 4. Now touching the Synagogues, they write, that every place wherein there were tenne men of Israel, it was necessa… that they should prepare there an house, wherein … assemble for prayer, at all time of p…ayer. And this place they called Beth hacneseth; An house of Assemblie, (in the Greeke a Synagogue.) And the citizens were to bee compelled to build them a Synagogue, and to buy them a Booke of the Law, Prophets, and (other holy) Scriptures. When they built a Synagogue, it was on the highest place of the citie, and builded higher then all other houses, (as they gather from Proverbes 8. 1. 2.) And they set a pulpit in the house, for him to goe up into, that did read the Law, or was to speake unto the people. They had also in the Synagogue an Arke (or Coffer,) wherein the Booke of the Law (the Bible) was kept. The Eders sate first, with their faces towards the people; and all the people sate, one rew before another, and the faces of the one rew, towards the backes of the rew that was before them: so the faces of all the people, were towards the Elders, and towards the Arke. And when Sheliach tsibbur (that is, the Messenger, or Minister, of the congregation,) stood at prayer, hee stood on the ground before the Arke, as the rest of the people. In the land of Canaan, and those parts, they used to lay mattes on the floore, to sit upon: but in the cities of Edom, (so they call the Romane Empire,) they sate in their synagogues upon bankes or seats. In the Synagogues and Schooles, they might use no lightnesse, laughing, playing, vaine talking, eating, drinking, walking or the like: neither in hot weather, might they goe into them from the heat, nor in rainy weather from the raine; nor cast up any accounts or reckonings in them; except they were such reckonings as were commanded, as the coffers for almes to the poore, and redemption of prisoners, and the like. If the Synagogue or Schoole had two doores; they might not goe in at the one doore and out at the other, to shorten their way: for it was not lawfull to goe into them, save for the things commanded: But who so went in to pray, or to reade, might goe out at the doore over against him, the neerest way. Synagogues and Schooles, though they were ruined, yet they remained (as they say) in their holinesse, as it is written in Leviticus 26. 31. I will make-desolate your Sanctuaries: though they bee desolate, yet they continue in their holinesse. They might not pull downe a Synagogue, to build another in the same, or in another place: but first they builded another, and afterward pulled downe the former; lest any violence should befall them; and it should not bee builded. It was lawfull to make a Schoole of a Synagogue, but not a Synagogue of a Schoole: because the holinesse of a Schoole, was above the holinesse of a Synagogue; and they were to ascend in holinesse, but not to descend. And if the citizens sold a Synagogue, they might buy an Arke with the money, or a Bible: But if they sold a Bible, they might buy nothing, with the money save another Bible; for there is no holinesse (say they) above the holinesse of the Booke of the Law, (or Bible.) As they might sell a Synagogue, so they might give it for a gift: but they might not let it out to hire, nor morgage it, &c. Maimony in Misneh treatise of Prayer, ch. 11. Of these Synagogues, though there bee no expresse mention in Moses; yet the Apostle Iames testifieth, that Moses of old time had in every city them that preached him, being read in the Synagogues every sabbath day, Act. 15. 21. And Iesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth, stood up for to read; & there was delivered unto him, the booke of the Prophet Esaias; which when he had opened and read, hee closed the booke, and gave it againe to the Minister, and he sate downe, and taught the people, Luk. 4. 16. 17. 20. and in the Synagogues usually on the Sabbathes, there was the reading of the Law and Prophets, and preaching afterwards: Act. 13. 14. 15. 16. &c. And for the Schoole, the name is used in Act. 19. where Paul having disputed and perswaded the things concerning the kingdome of God, for the space of three moneths, in the Synagogue: when divers were hardned, and beleeved not, but spake evill of that way before the multitude; he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the Schoole of one Tyrannus; (which the Syriak explaineth thus, hee separated the disciples from them, and spake daily with them, in the Schoole of a man whose name was Turannus: and the Arabik likewise saith, hee instructed them daily, in the house of a man named Tyrannus:) and this continued by the space of two yeeres, Acts 19. 8. 9. 10. They are reported to have had of old, above foure hundred schooles and Synagogues in Ierusalem; and there was a place in the Temple where our Lord Iesus was found, when hee was twelve yeeres of age, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: Luk. 2. 46. And that there were Synagogues in Ierusalem besides the Temple, appeareth by Pauls words unto Felix, They neither found me in the Temple disputing with any man, nor raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the citie, (speaking of Ierusalem:) Act. 24. 12. I will not smell] that is, as the Chaldee openeth it, I will not accept with favour: and so the phrase is used in 1 Sam. 26. 19. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him smell an offring: and in Amos 5. 21. I will not smell, in your solemne assemblies; that is, not accept with favour the oblation of your solemne assemblie, as the Chaldee there interprets it. Compare Gen. 8. 21. This judgment is opposed to that blessing in verse 12. I will walke among you. the swell of your rest] that is, of your sacrifices of rest, and so the Greek translateth it, the smell (or savour) of your sacrifices: and the Chaldee, the offring of your congregation. So the word fire-offring (or sacrifice) elsewhere expressed, is here to be understood. See Levit. 1. 9. and 2. 12.
Vers. 32 the Land] in Greeke, your land. So in Ezek. 33. 28. 29. I will lay the land most desolate, and the Pompe of her strength shall cease, and the mountaines of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall passe through. And they shall know that I am Iehovah, when I have laid the land most desolate, because of al their abhominations which they have committed. The fulfilling hereof is shewed by the Prophets, Esa. 1. 7. 8. even the mountaine of Sion was desolate, the Foxes walked upon it, Lam. 5. 18.
V. 33. scatter] or fanne, that is, scatter as chaffe. Of this they complaine in Ps. 44. 12. Thou hast sanned us among the nations. And in Zach. 7. 14. I scattered them with a whirlewinde among all the nations, whom they knew not: thus the land was desolate after them, &c. This is opposed to that blessing in v. 5. Ye shall dwell in confident safetie in your land. a sword] that is, as the Chaldee explaineth it, them that kill with the sword. The like is threatned in Ier. 9. 16. and in Ezek. 12. 14. 15. and 52. This is contrarie to that blessing in v. 6. the sword shall not passe through your land.
V. 34. injoy] accept, as v. 41. or, pay, accomplish her Sabbathes: meaning her seventh yeeres, which the Chaldee calleth releases, (or remissions) whereof see Lev. 25. 2. Deut. 15. 1. So the word is used for paying or accomplishing, as in Ioh 14. 6. till hee accomplish as an hireling, his day; though there also it may meane, a contented-acceptation, and injoying of that which was desired.
V. 35. it shall rest] or, it shall keep-sabbath; both from the people, the unworthy inhabitants; and from their tillage thereof, as the law required, Lev. 25. 4. Which being a precept figuring the sanctimonie of the church, was not kept, whiles they defiled the land by their iniquities, as Lev. 18. 27. Wherefore whiles the land lay desolate, it should as it were be well pleased, and contentedly injoy the rest which God would give it, from their sinning upon ii. This was fulfilled, when they were 70. yeeres captives in Babylon; as appeareth by 2 Chron. 36. 21. where it is said, Vntill the land had injoyed her Sabbathes: as long as she lay desolate, she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventie yeeres. rested not in your sabbathes] This sheweth, that it was not the outward rest and intermission of the land, which God chiefly intended by that law, Lev. 25. (for those Rests, the land injoyed,) but the resting from sinne, by the people that dwelt thereon: even as the Sabbath day, was also a signe of their sanctification. See the notes on Levit. 25. 4.
Vers. 36. a softnesse] or tendernesse, that is, a faintnes or fearefulnesse, and as the Chaldee translateth it, a breaking or discouragement. So softnesse; is used for faintnesse or want of courage in Deut. 20. 3. Esa. 7. 4. 2 Chron. 13. 7. a driven-leafe] or a tossed leafe, which the Greeke translateth caried, meaning with the winde: and as in Thargum Ionathan it is explained, a leafe that is plucked from the tree. This judgement in Iob 15. 21. 22. is opened thus, A sound of feares is in his eares; in peace the destroyer will come upon him; he beleeveth not to returne out of darkenesse; and he is waited for of the sword: &c. as fleeing from a sword] Hebr. the flight of a sword; which the Greeke explaineth as they that flee from batteil; and the Chaldee, as a flight from before them that kill with the sword. So Solomon saith, The wicked fleeth, where no man pursueth, Prov. 28. 1.
Vers. 37. shall fall] or, stumble-downe, through weakenesse; or through hast as they flee, they shall fall one on another. before a sword] Chaldee, before them that kill with sword. power-to-stand] Heb. standing, or uprightnesse; contrary to the blessing in verse 13. The Greeke translateth, ye shall not be able to withstand your enemies.
Vers. 38. shall perish, &c.] or, shall be lost. The fulfilling hereof is shewed in Ier. 50. 6. My people hath beene perishing (or lost) sheepe, their sheepheards have caused them to goe astray, &c. VntoUnto this curse of the Law, the promise of grace under the Gospell is opposed in Esa. 27. 13. They shall come which are perishing in the land of Assyria, and the Outcasts in the land of Egypt; and shall worship Iehovah, in the … at Ierusalem. eat you up] in Chalden, con…ume you: that it, ye shall dye in the land of your captivine.
Vers. 39. pine away] in Chaldee, melt away: to pine in iniquite, is to consume and perish in the punishment for iniquitie: whereupon this people complained, If our transgressions and our sinnes be upon us, and we pine away in them; how should wee then live? Ezek. 33. 10. See also Ezek 24. 23. It may likewise imply the beginning of grace in them that are left, (the remnant-according to the election of grace, Romans 11. 5.) who by their chastisements are) brought to a sight and sorrow for their sins: as in: Ezek. 36. 31. ye shall lothe your selves in your own sight, for your iniquities. of their fathers] the Chaldee expoundeth it, in the sins of their evill fathers, which they retain in their hands, they shal melt-away with thē.
Vers. 40. And they shall] that is, And if they shall confesse: as the word If is understood in Exod. 4. 23. Mat. 1. 2. and 3. 8. Such a confession Daniel made, in Dan. 9. 3. 4. 5. &c. and Nehemiah, Neh. 1. 4. 5. 6. 7. &c. and 9. 1. 2. 29. 30. &c. when with fasting and prayer they confessed their owne and their forefathers sinnes. And from hence the Hebrewes doe gather, that they should humble themselves and fast certain daies in the yeere, for the calamities that have befallen their forefathers; (such dayes as he spoken of in Zach. 7. 3. 5. and 8. 19. and other the like;) wherein they stir up their hearts unto repentan, by memoriall of their owne evill deeds, and the deedes of their fathers, which caused those diffesses to come upon them. Moreover they say, W…o seeth the cities of Iudah in their desolation, saith, Thy holy cities are à wildernesse [as in Esa. 64. 10] and re… his clothes. If he see Ierusalem in her desolation, be faith, Ierusalem is a wildernesse, &c. If hee see the Sanctuarie desolate, he saith, Our holy and our beautifull house, &c. [as in Esa. 64. 11.] and rendeth his clothes. Hee rendeth them with his hand, all the clothes that are upon him, untill he be naked down to the heart. And he never soweth up those rent plico…. But all their fasts (they say) shall cease in the …yes of Christ: and not so onelyonly, but they shall be … a good day (or festivitie,) and to dayes of joy and …, as it is written (in Zach. 8. 19.) Thus saith the Lord hosts; the fast of the fourth (monethmonth) and the fast of the fift, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Iudah joy and gladnesse, and chear full solemne-feasts: therefore love the truth and …nce. Maim. tom. 1. in Taanioth, chap. 5. sect. 1. 16. 19. Thus are the unbeleevers left to mourne and pine away in their iniquities, and they fast not … to the Lord; but as he cried and they would …eate; so they cry and he will not heare: because they have refused Christ who is our Peace; and whose glory dwelt amongst us, full of grace and truth, Zach. 7. 5. 13. Eph. 2. 14. Ioh. 1. 11. 14. against me] in Chaldee, against my word. contrary] Hebr. in conntrarietie: Chaldee, in hardnesse, (stubbornely) as vers. 21. 27.
Vers. 41. uncircumcised heart] which the Chaldee expoundeth grosse (or foolish) heart; and Targum Ionathan, their proud heart. It meaneth also an unbleeving and disobedient heart, which resisted the Spirit of God; according to that saying, Yee stiffe necked and uncircumcised in heart, and eares…, yee doe… alwaies resist the holy Ghost: Act. 7. 51. This hee speaketh, because the true circumcision is in the liners, and in the spirit, Romans 2. 29. whereupon the Prophet complaineth, all the house of Israel, are uncircumcised in heart, Ierom. 9. 26. what uncircumcision is, see Genes. 27. be humbled] or, be bowed downe, which the Greeke translateth, be a shamed; the Chaldee, be broken. It is opposed unto pride, 2 Chronicles 32. 26. Iob 40. 12. and implieth their repentance, and turning to the Lord, as in 2 Chronicles 30. 11. Whereupon God saith, If my people, upon whom my name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seeke my face, and turne from their wicked wayes: then will I heare from heaven, and will for give their sinne, &c. 2 Chronicles 7. 14. accept of their iniquitie] that is, of the punishment of their iniquitie; as iniquity and sinne, is often used for punishment, Genesis 19. 15. Leviticus 20. 17. 19. 20. and to accept of that, is willingly to beare it, and contentedly to injoy it, (the word before used in verse 34. where the land should injoy her sabbathes;) or pay for the same. This phrase is used in Esa. 40. 2. where Ierusalem is comforted, because her iniquitie is accepted of, (or payed,) when she hath received of the Lords hand, double for all her sinnes.
Vers. 42. Then will I] Hebr. And I will remember. This remembrance of God, signifieth his performance of the thing promised; as hee saith, I have remembred my convenant, &c. and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, &c. Exod. 6. 5. 6. So our remembring of Gods precepts, is expounded for to doe them, Psal. 103. 18. And under this promise, Gods merciemercy towards them is implied; as Moses elsewhere saith, For Iehovah thy God, is a mercifull God, he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers, which he sware unto them: Deut. 4. 31. And David; And he remembred for them his covenant: and repented, according to the multitude of his mercies. Psal. 106. 45. my covenant with Iacob] the Greeke translateth, the covenant of Iakob, &c. the Chaldee, my covenant that was with Iakob, &c. The remembring of this covenant with their ancestors, meaneth the accomplishment of the gracious promises made in respect of Christ unto forgivenesse of sinnes, and Sanctification of the Spirit. Therefore when Christ the horne of salvation, was raised up in the house of David, God is said to doe merciemercy with our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which hee sware to our father Abraham, &c. Luke 1. 69. 72. 73. 75. The like grace is promised in Ezekiel 16. 60. &c. So whiles Daniel was confessing his sinne, and the sinne of his people Israel, the Angel Gabriel came and told him of the comming of Christ, to finish the transgression, and to seale up sinnes, and to make atonement for iniquitie, and to bring in everlasting righteousnesse: Daniel 9. 20.—24. For the Lord will not cast-off for ever: but though hee cause griefe, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his mercias; Lamentation 3. 31. 32. This Thai… called Ionathans, expoundeth e…is verse thus; Then will I remember in merciemercy, the covenant which I covenanted with Iakob at Beth…l, (Gen. 35.) and also the covenant which I covenant…d with Isaak in mount Morijah; (Gen. 22.) and also the covenant which I covena…d with Abraham, but … the peeces (of the sacrifices, Gen. 15.) Whereas other-where the covenant is usually mentioned once, and from Abraham do…neward to Isaak, and so to Iakob, as is to be seene in Exod. 2. 24. and 6. 3. 4. here God mentioneth his covenant thrice, for more confirmation, and beginning with Iakob, goeth upward to Abraham (the father of the faithfull,) so leading them by degrees to his first and most ancient promises; and in them to Christ, whose Gospell was preached to Abraham; and such as be Christs, are Abrahams seed, and heyres according to the promise, Gal. 3. 8. 29. the land] which shall againe be inhabited and tilled; as it is written, In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities, I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded, and the desolate land shall bee tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by, &c. Ezek. 36. 33. 34. So another Prophet saith, O Lord thou hast beene favourable to thy land, thou hast returned the captivity of Iakob; and, our land shall give her fruit, &c. Psal. 85. 2. 13. And these promises have also their accomplishment in Christ; who pronounced this blessing to the meeke, that they shall inherit the laud; Matth. 5. 5. But that earthly land, wherein they and their fathers so journed, was à figure of a better countrie, that is, an heavenly, Heb. 11. 9. 16.
Vers. 43. and shall injoy] as in verse 34. The Greek translateth, then shall the land accept her sabbathes. … because even for because] the reason is doubled, for the more vehemencie; and to imply their often and manifold sinnes, in the breaking of his covenant. The like phraseis in Ezek. 13. 10.
Vers. 44. in the land of their enemies] cast out thither for their sinnes, and so unworthy of grace, being to bee reputed as enemies themselves. This commendeth the merciemercy and free grace of God in Christ, for when we were enemies, wee were reconciled to God, by the death of his Sonne: Rom. 5. 10. to consume them.] This promise, was partly fulfilled at their returne out of Babylon, as is remembred in Nehem. 9. 31. Neverthelesse for thy great mercies sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them. But chiefly the complement hereof, is by the Gospell, as the Apostle sheweth in Rom. 11. 26. 28, 29. Like promises are made in D…uter. 4. 29.—31. Ezek. 24. 22. 23. I am Iehovah] or, I Iehovah, … their God: which on …his part, signifieth his power, goodnesse, and readinesse to save them; and for them it is a signe of blessing; for blessed is that people, whose God is Iehovah. Psal. 144. 15. and 33. 12.
Vers. 45. of their …rs] or, of the first; which Targum Ionathan expoundeth, the covenant which I … with their ancient fathers. The Greeke translateth it, their first covenant, when I brought them for… the land of Egypt. Which deliverance, being a figure of a better by Christ; God, when hee would assure them of his grace, if they turne un…o him by faith, mentioneth that covenant and redemption. For though the covenant of the Gospel, be another then that which hee made with them, when he brought them out of Egypt, as the Apostle sheweth by testimonie of the Prophets, Heb. 8. 8. 13. from Ier. 31. yet the covenant or law then given, was a Scholemaster unto Christ. Gal. 3. 24. and Christ is the end of the law for righteousnesse, to every one that beleeveth; Rom. 10. 4. And thus Moses endeth the curses of the Law, due to transgressors; with promise of grace to the remnant of the Iewes (according to the election of grace, Rom. 11. 5.) which in the latter dayes shall come againe unto him; whom he is able to graffe in againe, and so will, if they bide not in unbeliefe; for as touching the election, they are beloved for the Fathers sakes, Romans 11. 23. 28.