The History of the Old Testament Methodized, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. The ſixth Age of the World, containing the ſpace of time from the carrying of Judah into Captivity, unto the liberty granted by Cyrus for their return, and conſiſts of ſeventy years, ending in the 3478 year of the World.
THE City of Jeruſalem and the Temple being thus deſtroyed and burnt down to the ground by Nebuzaradan, he left only a few, and thoſe of the poorer ſort of the people there to dreſs the Vineyards, and to be husbandmen; over whom Gedaliah the Son of Ahikam a man of the ſame Nation was placed Governour, but as a Provincial Governour only without any badg of Regality or Kingly Title. 'Tis like this Gedaliab was one of thoſe that followed the advice which the Prophet Jeremy gave both to Zedekiah and the reſt, Jer. 21.8, 9, 10. And unto this people thou ſhalt ſay, thus ſaith the Lord, Behold I ſet before you the way of life, and the way of death. He that abideth in this City ſhall die by the ſword, and by the famine, and by the peſtilence; but he that goeth out and falleth to the Caldeans that beſiege you, he ſhall live, and his life ſhall be unto him for a prey. For I have ſet my face againſt this City for evil, and not for good, ſaith the Lord, it ſhall be given into the hand of the King of Babylon, and he ſhall burn it with fire. 'Tis like therefore that upon this account he was made Governour by Nebuchadnezzar's command.
Jer. 39.10.
Jer. 40.5.
2 King. 25.12. & 22.
Seraiah the chief Prieſt, and Zephaniah the ſecond Prieſt, and the three Keepers of the Gate of the Temple, and other principal men (by whoſe counſels Zedekiah had been much led to reſiſt the King of Babylon contrary to Jeremy's warnings) Nebuzaradan took and carried them to Riblah to Nebuchadnezzar, and there they were put to death. But Jehozadak the Son of Seraiah (who after him came to be High Prieſt) was carried away priſoner to Babylon.
2 King. 25. from 18, to 22.
Jer. 52. from 24, to 28.
1 Chron. Ch. 6.15.
The Prophet Jeremy being bound with chains, was carried with the reſt as far as Rama towards Babylon, and had there his irons knocked off, and was ſet at liberty, and had his choice given him, whither he would go on to Babylon and there to be honourably treated, or ſtay in Judea with thoſe poor people that were there left? And he chooſing to ſtay, was ſent back with money in his purſe to Gedaliah the Governour, who made his reſidence at Mizpeh in the Tribe of Benjamin.
Jer. 39. from 11, to 15.
Jer. 40. from 1, to 7.
Some of thoſe Captains and Souldiers which upon the taking of Jeruſalem had fled away by night, and were ſcattered over the Country, and ſome of the Jews that had fled to the Moabites and Ammonites, and other neighbouring Nations, returned after a while to Gedaliah into their own Country, where they had good proviſion of wine and oyl, and other ſummer-fruits to ſubſiſt withal. Gedaliah made his reſidence at Mizpeh in the Tribe of Benjamin, leaving the reſt of the Jews that were with him to live in ſuch Towns as they thought fit.
Jer. 40. from 7, to 13.
2 King. 25.23, 24.
Iſmael the Son of Nethaniah of the race of the Kings of Judah had (it ſeems) during the ſiege of Jeruſalem kept himſelf out of the ſtorm with Baalis King of the Ammonites, Jer. 40.14. and being of the Royal ſeed he envied that the Government of the Jews ſhould be committed to Gedaliah, who ſeems to have been but of private condition, and being ſtirred up likewiſe (as 'tis probable) by the King of Ammon, he made a conſpiracy with ſome few more to ſlay him. Johanan (of whom mention is made, 2 King. 25.23.) came and diſcovered this conſpiracy to Gedaliah, and offered his help to diſpatch Iſmael to prevent it; but Gedaliah would not believe it, but thought he ſpake falſely of Iſmael, and would by no means conſent he ſhould be taken off. Not long after Iſmael came to him with ten reſolute fellows to Mizpeh, where Gedaliah friendly entertained him, giving no credit to ſuch as informed him of his treacherous intentions againſt him; and in the ſeventh month Iſmael with his aſſociates (taking their opportunity) wickedly murdered Gedaliah, and ſuch Jews and Caldeans as he had then about him. And a day or two after fourſcore Jews coming from ſeveral places of the Kingdom in a moſt ſad and mournful manner with their beards ſhaven, and clothes rent, and having cut themſelves, deploring the deſolation that was fallen upon Jeruſalem, and bringing certain offerings and incenſe with them which they purpoſed to offer to the Lord in the place where the Temple before ſtood, (now lying in its duſt) Iſmael having notice of their coming went out to meet them, and with counterfeit tears making ſhew that he alſo bore a part with them in their ſorrow, he invited them to go with him to Gedaliah, feigning himſelf to be one of his friends (thereby to try how they ſtood affected to him) and having gotten them within the City of Mizpeh, he and his companions ſlew them all there in the open ſtreets (ten only excepted, whom he ſpared, becauſe they promiſed to diſcover to him ſome treaſure hid in the fields during the war) and the bodies of the ſlain he threw into King Aſa's pit*In the days of King Baaſha Aſa King of Judah it ſeems made a pit in Mizp…h for a hiding place in caſe of danger, of which we find no mention but only here., which he made in Mizpeh for fear of Baaſha. See 1 King. 15.22.
Jer. 40. from 13, to the end.
Jer. 41. from 1, to 10.
2 King. 25.25.
Iſmael having now taken the Kings daughters (whom the Caldeans had left behind, being hidden poſſibly at firſt, and afterwards coming forth had committed themſelves to the care of Gedaliah) and many others of the people captive, he was returning with them as his priſoners to the King of Ammon, but Johanan meeting him with a band of men near Gibeon took from him all his priſoners, and ſet them at liberty, and Iſmael with only eight men more eſcaping his hands, fled to the Ammonites.
Jer. 41. from 10, to 16.
Johanan and his Captains with the reſt of the people remaining for a while about Bethlem, fearing at laſt that the Caldeans would ſend in ſome forces upon them to revenge the death of Gedaliah, and the Caldeans that were ſlain with him, and ſo utterly deſtroy all the Jews that were in the land, they thought it beſt to fly with the people that were left, into Egypt. But firſt they conſult Jeremy about it, and deſire him to ask counſel of the Lord for them in that matter. Hereupon (they promiſing faithfully to conform themſelves to the will of God, whatever it ſhould be) he after ten days brought them an anſwer, adviſing them all not to ſtir out of their own Country, aſſuring them if they ſtaid, of Gods protection there; but telling them that if they went into Egypt they ſhould there every man of them periſh, either by ſword, famine, or ſome other kind of death. But notwithſtanding their former promiſe they would needs go down into Egypt, and carried Jeremy and Baruc (againſt their wills) along with them. And when they were come to Taphnes, Jeremy ſharply reprov'd them, and there declar'd to them under a type of great ſtones hid in clay in a brick-kiln, the deſtruction of Egypt even by Nebuchadnezzar, The death of Jeremy.of whom they were ſo much afraid. And there (as 'tis thought) he was ſtoned to death by his own ungrateful Countrymen.
Jer. 41. from 16, to the end.
Jer. 42. whole Chapter.
Jer. 43. whole Chapter.
2 King. Ch. 25. v. 26.
In the twelfth year of Jeconiah's captivity, the fifth day of the tenth month, tidings came to Ezekiel of the taking of Jeruſalem, and then he propheſied of the utter deſtruction which ſhould befall the laſt remainder of the Iſraelites for their ſins, even of thoſe few who remained in their deſolate Country after the departure of thoſe before mentioned who went into Egypt. The evening before theſe tidings came to him, his mouth was opened again to propheſie to his own people, which he had not done ſince the day that Nebuchadnezzar firſt laid ſiege to Jeruſalem three years ago, whereof one year and an half was taken up in that ſiege, and the reſt of the time had paſſed ſince the City was taken.
Ezek. 33. from 21, to 30.
The Prophet now after ſo long a ſilence having his mouth opened, and being appointed a watchman, and willing to perform his duty, he declareth firſt to murmurers and hypocrites among the captive Jews, that God dealeth juſtly both with penitents and back-ſliders, that he delighteth not in the death of a ſinner, that his ways are juſt and equal, notwithſtanding their calumnies. He threatens ſuch as mocked the Prophets, and went on in their wickedneſs and hypocriſie.
Ezek. 33. from 1, to 21.
And from v. 30, to the end.
In the next place he threatens the ſhepherds of Iſrael both Civil and Eccleſiaſtical for their unfaithfulneſs to the flock, Ch. 24. from 1, to 11. He ſhews the tender care that God himſelf will have of his flock, from v. 11, to 23. He promiſes to raiſe up and ſend the chief ſhepherd and Prince of his Church Jeſus Chriſt, under whoſe Government his ſheep ſhall be bleſſed, from v. 23, to the end.
Ezek. 24. whole Chapter.
He alſo threatens the Ammonites and Moabites, and mount Seir or Edom, and the Philiſtines for their pride, hatred, and cruelty againſt Iſrael.
Ezek. 25. whole Chapter.
The Propheſie of OBADIAH.Obadiah alſo (as 'tis probable) about this time uttered his Propheſie againſt Edom, which ſhamefully inſulted over the calamities of the Jews when Jeruſalem was deſtroyed. He threatens they ſhall be totally ſpoiled even more than an houſe by night-robbers, or a vine by grape-gatherers. He foretells that their counſellors wiſdom ſhall fail, and their Souldiers, and that they ſhall be deſtroyed by the Caldeans, as it afterwards happened. After the minatory part, the Lord by his Prophet comforts his afflicted Church with a promiſe of deliverance and victory over their enemies, and enlargement of their poſſeſſions, moſt truly fulfilled in the calling of the Gentiles, and of the Lords dominion over all. And the like did Jeremy, and alſo the Authors of thoſe Pſalms, Pſal. 79. & 137. who wrote (as it ſeemeth) all about the ſame time. And hitherto poſſibly the 63. of Iſaiah is referrable though propheſied long before.
Obadiah, whole Chapter.
Jer. 49. from 7, to 23.
Pſal. 79. & Pſal. 137.
Iſa. 63. from 1, to 7.
Ezekiel now comforts the people of Iſrael, promiſing them that the Lord would avenge them of their enemies, who had ſo ſpitefully uſed them. He promiſes reſtauration and proſperity unto them in their own land. He ſhews that God was neceſſitated to puniſh and chaſtiſe them for their ſins, for the honour of his name. But he will again out of his free grace and mercy abundantly bleſs them both with ſpiritual and temporal bleſſings.
Ezek. 36. whole Chapter.
He Propheſies alſo of their return out of Babylon, though their condition therein was as hopeleſs as of dead men in their graves, who are become dry bones. And by the type of two ſticks becoming one in the Prophets hand, he ſhews the union and incorporation of Iſrael into Judah, and poſſibly the uniting Jews and Gentiles together, under one King, viz. Chriſt the true Meſſias.
Ezek. 37. whole Chapter.
Further he propheſies of a glorious victory they ſhall have over Gog and Magog, who ſhall diſtreſs them after their return from captivity; whereby ſome underſtand the Scythians and Tartars that ſhall diſtreſs the Jews converted unto Chriſt toward the latter end of the world.
Ezek. 38. whole Chapter.
Ezek. 39. whole Chapter.
In the twelfth year of Jeconiahs captivity, on the firſt day of the twelfth month, Ezekiel uttered his Propheſie concerning the grievous calamity Nebuchadnezzar ſhould bring upon Egypt. And upon the 15th. day he Propheſies againſt Egypt again; and foretels that Pharoah and his people ſhould be brought down as low as hell, with the reſt of the uncircumciſed Nations.
Ezek. 32. whole Chapter.
Jeremy had (it ſeems) ſome time before propheſied of the deſtruction which ſhould follow the Iſraelites that were in Egypt for their deſperate obſtinacy and Idolatry there practiſed, ſaying it went well with them when they ſacrificed to the Queen of heaven, and for a ſure ſign of their miſery gave them Pharoah himſelf, whom they ſhould ſee brought to all extremities before their eyes.
Jer. 44. whole Chapter.
The Lamentations of Jeremy (it's probable) were written about this time.The Lamentations of JEREMIAH. Theſe are not thoſe of Jeremy for Joſiah mentioned, 2 Chron. 35.25. [And Jeremiah lamented for Joſiah, and all the ſinging men and the ſiging women ſpake of Joſiah in their Lamentations to this day, and made them an Ordinance in Iſrael, and behold they are written in the Lamentations.] But theſe ſeem written by Jeremy in the time of the Babyloniſh captivity, after the Temple and City of Jeruſalem were deſtroyed, the woful calamities of that City, and the people of God being the chief ſubject thereof. That paſſage Chap. 4.20. [The breath of our noſtrils, the anointed of the Lord was taken in their pits, of whom we ſaid, under his ſhadow we ſhall live among the heathen,] is more properly applicable to King Zedekiah than Joſiah.
The great City of Tyre was now (as it ſeems) beſieged by Nebuchadnezzar, and the ſiege laſted thirteen years as Joſephus reports, Antiq. Lib. 10. Cap. 11. and in the compaſs of thoſe thirteen years the neighbouring Nations, as the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites were alſo ſubdued by him according to the prediction of Jeremy and Ezekiel.
Jer. 27.5, 6, 7.
Jer. 48. whole Chapter.
Jer. 49. whole Chapter.
Whilſt Nebuchadnezzar lay before Tyre, in the three and twentieth year of his reign, Nebuzaradan Captain of his Guard carried away all the remainder of the Jews (to the number, of ſeven hundred forty five perſons) unto Babylon. Theſe poſſibly were ſuch as having fled from the Babylonians and hid themſelves, did return into the land and dwelt therein for ſome time, but were now carried away captive, and brought to their Brethren in Babylon. And this was the laſt and extreameſt depopulation which cauſed the very earth to lye until'd, as God had before threatned.
Jer. Ch. 52. v. 30.
In the five and twentieth year of the Captivity of Jeconiah, the tenth day of the firſt month (fourteen years after the deſtruction of Jeruſalem) Ezekiel had that glorious viſion of a new Temple (ſurpaſſing the glory of Zerubbabels) of a new worſhip, new land, and new City, which as here deſcribed is uncapable of a literal meaning, but ſignifies the reſtauration of the Church by Chriſt, with the greatneſs, honour, and excellency thereof. Poſſibly the Evangeliſt alludes to it in his Coeleſtial Jeruſalem, Rev. 21.10, &c. And as our Saviour ſaid, his Kingdom was not of this world; ſo we may ſay the ſenſe of Ezekiel's Land, City and Temple, is myſtical and ſpiritual. 'Tis generally conceived that this viſion imports the great enlargement of the Church under the Goſpel when the Gentiles ſhall be called to the knowledg of Chriſt, and the Jews alſo (as mainly concern'd though not ſolely intended in this viſion) brought home to the true Meſſiah, not excluding thoſe of the Ten Tribes, from having each one a childs portion in the performance of this Propheſie.
Ezekiel
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Chapters.
Tyre at laſt was given up to Nebuchadnezzar, being rendred upon conditions, and not taken by force as Joſephus reports, Lib. 1. contra Apion.
Nebuchadnezzar laying hold of the troubles and commotions that were in Egypt, between the King and his Son Amaſis (and peradventure ſolicited by Amaſis to aſſiſt him againſt his father) he invaded that Country with his Army, and having gotten it into his hand, even from Siene to the end thereof, he made havock not only of the Egyptians but of the Jews that dwelt among them, killing ſome, and leading away the reſt into captivity, according to the ſeveral Propheſies of Jeremy and Ezekiel.
Jer. 43. from 8, to the end.
Jer. 44. whole Chapter.
Jer. 46. whole Chapter.
Ezek. 29. whole Chapter.
Ezek. 30. whole Chapter.
Ezek. 31. whole Chapter.
Nebuchadnezzar having finiſhed his Conqueſts, returned to Babylon, and there in his thirty fifth year (as he lay at eaſe in all kind of pleaſure in his own houſe) had that remarkable dream of the great Tree whoſe deſtiny it was to be cut down; the meaning whereof he could not learn from his Magicians and Wizards of Caldea, but the Prophet Daniel unfolded it to him, and ſhewed him (though with great aſtoniſhment) that the dream was to be fulfilled in himſelf, and therefore exhorts him to repentance.
Dan. 4. from 1, to 28.
Nebuchadnezzar (it ſeems) about this time new-built Babylon in a magnificent manner, and raiſed alſo there many vaſt and ſtately ſtructures, among which that famous and ſo much renowned Garden born upon pillars, called the hanging Garden, was one which he built in favour to his wife Amyrtis, who deſired the pleaſure of the Hills in that low Country, as having been brought up in Media, as Beroſus reports. Vid. Ʋſher. pag. 94.
Twelve whole months were no ſooner paſt but Nebuchadnezzar growing proud and inſolent, and boaſting of the magnificence of his buildings, fell diſtracted, and being put from his houſe*Some think he was poſſeſſed by an evil ſpirit, and that being miſchievous he was driven from among men See Ch. 5.21. and home, ſpent ſeven years in the woods and fields among beaſts; but at the end of ſeven years was reſtored both to his right wits and Kingdom again; and thereupon publickly proclaims Gods great grace and mercy manifeſted unto him, and his power over all Nations, and ſo departed this life when he had reigned about twenty months copartner in the Kingdom with his Father, and forty three years by himſelf alone.
Dan. 4. from 28, to the end.
After him came Evilmerodach his Son, in the thirty ſeventh year of the Captivity of Jeconiah. He being ſetled in the Throne gave order for the enlarging of Jeconiah †Zedekiah died in priſon at Babylon, Jer. 52.11. and had only the honour of being buried as a Prince, and lamented at his Funeral by his people, Jer. 34.5. Thou ſhalt die in peace, and with the burnings of thy Fathers the former Kings which were before thee, ſo ſhall they burn odours for thee, and they will lament thee, ſaying, Ah Lord! for I have pronounced the word ſaith the Lord., on the five and twentieth day of the twelfth month; and two days after he was taken out of his priſon-clothes, and ſet above all the Princes of the Court, and reckoned among the number of the Kings friends; ſo that all his life time after he did eat at the Kings Table, and was uſed with all Princely reſpect.
Jer. 52. from 31, to the end.
2 King. 25. from 27, to the end.
Evilmerodach being a man much hated for his vicious life, had many attempts made upon him, and at laſt was murthered by Nerigliſſarus his ſiſters husband, when he had reigned little more than two years as Joſephus teſtifies, Lib. 1. contra Apion.
'Tis probable that Jeconiah died much about this time alſo.
In the Kingdom of Media upon the deceaſe of Aſtyages (called Tobit 14.17. Aſſuerus) ſucceeded his ſon Cyaxares, Cyrus's mothers brother, called in Daniel, Darius.
The King of Babylon now not only raiſed his own ſubjects, but alſo ſolicited Croeſus King of Lydia, with the Cappadocians, both ſorts of Phrygians, Carians, Paphlagonians, and Cilicians on the Weſt, and the very Indians on the Eaſt-ſide of him to joyn with him in arms againſt the Medes and Perſians, remonſtrating to them that they were two great Nations, and now linked together by affinity, and would (if not look'd unto and oppos'd in time) over-run and bring into ſubjection all Countries far and near. Whereupon Cyrus was by his Fathe… Cambyſes, and the Council of the Kingdom made General of the Perſian forces, and ſent away into Media with thirty thouſand Souldiers, and one thouſand Commanders; and when he came thither he was by his Uncle Cyaxares (who had ſent for him) made General of the Median forces alſo, and the management of the war againſt the Babylonians wholly committed to him.
Cyaxares and Cyrus march againſt the Babylonian King, and againſt Croeſus and the reſt of the Confederates, and gain'd a great victory over them. The King of Babylon fell in the battel, Croeſus with thoſe of his people that were left brake up his Camp by night and fled. Cyrus having made a league with the Hircanians (who had fallen over to him from the Babylonians) uſing their help and guidance in the way, purſued the enemy that was fled, overtook them, and fought them, and again overthrew them. The Hircanians fell upon the Companies of the Cappadocians and Arabians, and ſlew both their Kings. Cyrus ſparing the lives of ſuch as were either taken by force, or had yielded to mercy, divided the ſpoil of the field among his Souldiers. Herod. Lib. 3, & 4.
Belſhazzar Grandchild to Nebuchadnezzar by his ſon Evilmerodach ſucceeds in the Kingdom. In the firſt year of this Kings reign Daniel had the viſion ſhew'd him of the four Beaſts, ſignifying the four Monarchies of the World, and of Gods delivering over all power and Soveraignty to the Son of Man.
Dan. 7. whole Chapter.
In the third year of Belſhazzar Daniel had the viſion of the Ram and He-goat, foreſhewing the deſtruction of the Perſian Monarchy by Alexander, and that he being dead, and his horn broken, four horns ſhould ariſe inſtead thereof, denoting four Kingdoms, and that out of one of them a little horn ſhould come forth, viz. Antiochus Epiphanes, which ſhould prevail to take away the daily Sacrifice, and bring much miſery upon the people of God. This was ſhew'd to Daniel then living at Suſa in the Province of Elam, upon the bank of the river Ʋlai, which was then in the hands of the King of Babylon, under whom Daniel lived. And the Angel Gabriel comforted Daniel, and interpreted the viſion to him by the command of Chriſt.
Dan. 8. whole Chapter.
In the year of the world three thouſand four hundred ſixty five Cyrus and Belſhazzar (thoſe two great Lords of the world) fought a pitched battel near Babylon, and the Caldeans being worſted, retired to the City, where Cyrus beſieged them with a vaſt army. When he had viewed the wall he concluded there was no ſtorming of it, and therefore reſolved that the beſt way was to pine and ſtarve them out; at which the beſieged ſcoffed, as thinking themſelves utterly out of danger. But Cyrus taking notice how the river ran through the City, cauſed deep ditches to be made, which by draining rendred it fordable, and taking advantage of a ſolemn Feaſt which they kept, entred by night and ſurprized them, whilſt they were banqueting and reveling, and in their cups. And ſo vaſtly big was the City, that when the skirts of it were ſurprized and taken, they who dwelt in the heart of the City heard not of it; to which that of Jeremiah ſeemeth to have reference, Jer. 51.31. that poſt upon poſt, and meſſenger upon meſſenger ſhould run to tell the King of Babylon that all the skirts of the City were poſſeſſed by the enemies.
Belſhazzar was at this time (as it ſeemeth) feaſting with his Nobles, and had cauſed to be brought forth the veſſels of ſilver and gold which his Grandfather *For that he was his Sons Son may be gathered out of Jer. 27.7. And all Nations ſhall ſerve him, and his Son, and his Sons Son, until the very time of his land come, and then many Nations and great Kings ſhall ſerve themſelves of him.Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the Temple at Jeruſalem, that he, his nobles, his wives and concubines might drink in them. But God ſuddenly ſent a hand to write upon the wall, where the King and his Nobles ſat drinking, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Ʋpharſin. Hereby evidently declaring that ſudden deſtruction ſhould fall upon him. But his Wizards of Caldea could not read the writing; hereupon his Queen adviſed him to ſend for Daniel, who came and both read the writing, as alſo gave the interpretation thereof, and for his pains was preſently proclaimed the third man in the Kingdom. Preſently after this in this very night was Belſhazzar ſlain by the Souldiers of Gobrias and Gadales, who having been formerly injured by him had revolted to Cyrus. And ſo the Babyloniſh Kingdom came to an end, as had been ſundry times foreto… by Iſaiah, Chap. 13. Chap. 14. Chap. 21. Chap. 34. Chap. 46. & Chap. 47.] By Habakkuk, [Chap. 2.] and by Jeremy, [Chap. 25. & Ch. 50, & 51.]
Dan. 5. from 1, to 31.
The Babyloniſh Empire being now tranſlated to the Medes and Perſians, Darius the Mede, (Son of Ahaſhuerus, otherwiſe called Cyaxares the Son of Aſtyages) took upon him the Kingdom, which was delivered to him by Cyrus the Conquerour. And the Angel in this firſt year of his reign, is ſaid to have confirmed and ſtrengthened him in his Kingdom. After which he reigned two years.
Dan. 5.31.
Dan. 9.1.
Dan. 11.1.
Cyrus having ſet all things in order at Babylon, went into Media and married the only daughter and heir of Darius, and for dowry had the whole Kingdom of Media given him with her, and the marriage finiſhed he returned with her to Babylon.
Darius now ſet over the Kingdom a hundred and twenty Princes or Governours, and over all the Governours he made three Overſeers, the principal of which was Daniel, whereupon the reſt of the Governours being ſtirred up by a ſpirit of envy againſt him, moved the King to make a decree that for thirty days ſpace no petition ſhould be made to any God or man but to himſelf alone; which decree when Daniel had broken by making his prayer to God three times a day, he was caſt into the Lions den, and thence delivered without any hurt at all done to him; and then Darius having cauſed thoſe malicious plotters to be caſt into the ſame Lions den, publiſhed that memorable decree through all his dominions, that every man therein ſhould reverence and ſtand in awe of Daniels God.
Dan. 6. whole Chapter.
Towards the end of the firſt year of the reign of Darius over the Babyloniſh Empire, the ſeventy years of the captivity of the Jews drew towards a period, and this was the laſt of thoſe years of their calamty ſpecified by Jeremy, Chap. 25.12. And it ſhall come to paſs when ſeventy years are accompliſhed, that I will puniſh the King of Babylon, and that Nation, ſaith the Lord, for their iniquity, &c. And Chap. 29.10, &c. For thus ſaith the Lord, that after ſeventy years be accompliſhed at Babylon, I will viſit you, and perform my good word towards you, in cauſing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then ſhall ye call upon me, and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye ſhall ſeek me and find me, when you ſhall ſearch for me with all your heart; and I will be found of you, and I will turn your captivity, and I will gather you from all the Nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, ſaith the Lord, and I will bring you again into the place whence I cauſed you to be carried away captive. Upon conſideration of which time now ſo near approaching, Daniel with faſting, ſackcloth and aſhes poured out a moſt fervent prayer to the Lord for the remiſſion of his own ſins, and the ſins of the people, and for the promiſed deliverance out of their captivity. Whereupon the Angel Gabriel brought him an anſwer not only concerning this, but alſo concerning the ſpiritual deliverance of the Church to be wrought at laſt by the death of the Meſſias, uttering that moſt famous and memorable Propheſie of the ſeventy weeks, recorded Ch. 9. v. 24,Daniels Seventy weeks. 25, 26, 27. which are generally underſtood not of weeks of days, but of years, each day being put for a year; and ſeventy being multiplied by ſeven (every week conſiſting of ſeven days) do make 490, that is, 490 years. And 'tis uſual in Scripture to ſignifie years by days, as may appear from Numb. 14.34. and Ezek. 4.5, 6. Now for the finding out the meaning of theſe words we ſhall enquire, 1. When thoſe ſeventy weeks did begin. 2. When they did end. 3. What is the meaning of that ſection or diviſion of the ſeventy weeks into ſeven weeks, ſixty two weeks, and one week. Firſt, the ſeventy weeks did begin when the Commandment went forth to reſtore and build Jeruſalem, verſ. 25. which was at the end of the ſeventy years captivity, and in the firſt year of the Monarchy of Cyrus, Ezra 1.1. where although expreſs mention was not made for the building of Jeruſalem but of the Temple, yet it was implied becauſe they had liberty to build themſelves houſes in Jeruſalem, and accordingly they did upon that grant go about the building of the City as well as of the Temple, Ezra 4.1, 12. Neither were they charged by their malicious adverſaries for going beyond their commiſſion in building the City more than in building the Temple. And 2ly, it was propheſied and foretold long before of Cyrus, that he ſhould build not the Temple only, but the City alſo, Iſai. 44.28. & Chap. 45.13. So much for the beginning of theſe weeks.
2ly, The ſeventy weeks did end at the death and paſſion of Chriſt, which I ſhall labour to prove by theſe reaſons: 1. Becauſe the things the Angel mentions [v. 24.] are properly the effects of Chriſts death. Particularly (1) the Text ſays ſeventy weeks are determined to finiſh tranſgreſſion, and to make an end of ſins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity. All which expreſſions ſeem to hold out one and the ſame thing. For our Saviour by his death made ſatisfaction, and wrought redemption for his people, as may appear from theſe places, Eph. 1.7. Col. 1.14, 20, 21, 22. Heb. 9.26. 1 Joh. 1.7. Rev. 1.5. (2) To bring in everlaſting righteouſneſs; now Chriſts ſatisfaction is the ground of our being righteous or juſtified before God, Rom. 3.25. Phil. 3.9. 2 Cor. 5.21. 2 Pet. 1.1. (3) To ſeal *Ut obſignet viſionem, i. e. ut reipſa praeſtet Prophetias de perpeſſionibus & Gloria Meſſiae. 1 Pet. 1.11. Vatab.the viſion and propheſie; that is, thereby all the viſions and propheſies concerning the Meſſias were ſealed, confirmed, and accompliſhed. (4) To anoint †Ut ungat ſanctum, i. e. ut per aſcenſionem ſuam in coelum conſecret illud ad cultum Dei illic ab electis in illud aſſumptis peragendum: Sicut Moſes olim unxit ſacratiſſimam Tabernaculi partem ad cultum Ceremonialem, &c. Piſc.the moſt holy; Our Saviour by his blood may truly be ſaid to have anointed the moſt holy, that is Heaven, as the High Prieſt (being a type of him) did anoint the moſt holy place in the Sanctuary by preſenting and ſprinkling of blood, as the Apoſtle, Heb. 9. from 1, to 13. doth make the parallel between them. The reaſon of the Angels mentioning the deſtruction of the City and Sanctuary, ver. 26. is conceived by divers learned men to be chiefly to ſet out the dreadful vengeanc of God that ſhould fall on the Jews for putting the Meſſiah to death, and therefore 'tis not neceſſary that the deſtruction of the City and Sanctuary ſhould come within the compaſs of the ſeventy weeks, but did follow after as the fruit of their cruelty towards him. Laſtly, 'tis ſaid v. 27. that in the laſt week the Meſſiah ſhould confirm the Covenant, and cauſe the ſacrifice and oblation to ceaſe. Now when was the Covenant confirmed but at and by the death of Chriſt? as the Apoſtle ſpeaks expreſly, Heb. 9.16, 17. And when were the Sacrifices or Oblations made to ceaſe but when Chriſt did offer up himſelf a ſacrifice to God upon the Croſs, Heb. 10.5, 10. For the body or truth being come, the ſhadows and types were to be aboliſhed, Col. 2.17. But if the ſeventy weeks did not end before the deſtruction of the City, then the confirmation of the Covenant, and the cauſing of the Sacrifices and Oblations to ceaſe (which we ſay was done) by the death of Chriſt, could not be in the laſt week as the Angel ſaid; for the deſtruction of Jeruſalem was not (as is generally acknowledged) till about forty years after the death of Chriſt.
For the meaning of that ſection and diviſion of the ſeventy weeks into 7, 62, and 1, (for ſo the Angel doth parcel and divide them) we muſt know that the firſt ſection being ſeven weeks (which make 49 years) may poſſibly ſignifie the time from the return out of Babylon (when liberty was granted to the Jews for the building of the Temple) unto the finiſhing of it, in the ſixth year of Darius, ſee Ezra 6.15. For after they had begun the work there in a ſhort time they were forced to give it over through the complaint and oppoſition of their adverſaries, until the ſecond year of Darius, (which might be about 46 years from the firſt year of Cyrus) and then Darius making a new decree for the furtherance of the building, it was ſet upon afreſh, and finiſhed in the ſpace of three years, or little more, viz. in the ſixth year of Darius. So that in all from the firſt year of Cyrus (wherein they might begin the work) unto the ſixth year of Darius, wherein it was finiſhed, there might be 49 years, or ſeven weeks.
The ſecond Section is of 62 weeks after the former ſeven, viz. from the ſixth year of Darius when the Temple was finiſhed to the week wherein the Meſſias was to be cut off.
The third Section is of one week which is the laſt of the ſeventy, wherein the Meſſiah was to be cut off.
This week the Angel ſeems to divide into two halves, intimating ſome ſpecial thing that was to happen about the middle of it, and that might poſſibly be the Baptiſm of Chriſt, and his entring on his Prophetick office to preach, and work miracles; and then that in the end of that week, (which was the other half) he ſhould be ſlain, and cut off, and ſo by his death cauſe the ſacrifice and oblation to ceaſe. And that ſpace of three years and an half from the Baptiſm of Chriſt to his death may be gathered from the four Paſſovers which he celebrated after his Baptiſm. Now in the compaſs of theſe ſeventy weeks, or 490 years there flouriſhed (1) the Perſian Monarchy; (2) the Grecian or Macedonian; and (3) the Roman was begun.
Dan. 9. whole Chapter.
About this time Cyrus (his own Father Cambyſes being dead in Perſia, and Darius his Father-in law and Ʋncle in Media) had all the Empire and Monarchy of the Eaſt in his hands, and this the Scripture reckons as the firſt year of his reign, namely as abſolute Monarch. It ſeems by Daniel or ſome other of the Jews it was diſcovered to him, that many years before God had revealed to his Prophet Iſaiah, [ſee Ch. 44.28. and Ch. 45▪ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. & v. 14.] that he was ordained and appointed by God to vanquiſh Babylon, and to deliver the Jews out of their captivity, and to cauſe their City and Temple to be rebuilt. This Propheſie they ſhewed him as Joſephus reports, Lib. 11. Antiq. Ch. 1. And when he had read it, he was much affected with it; and God ſtirred up his ſpirit to deliver the Jews, and ſet them free. Accordingly in this year came forth that renowned Edict of his, mentioned 2 Chron. 36.23. of which we ſhall ſpeak more afterwards. And in this year the ſeventy years of the Babyloniſh captivity being expired, Cyrus gave leave to all the Jews dwelling any where in his Dominions to return into their own Country, The end of the Seventy years Captivity.and commanded ſuch as did return to fall in hand with reedifying of the Temple. And he allowed the charge thereof out of his own Treaſure, and reſtored to them all the Veſſels of the Lords houſe which Nebuchadnezzar had brought from thence.
Dan. 9. whole Chapter.
2 Chron. 36.22, 23.
Ezra 1. from 1, to 5.