The prophet foretells the fate of CHAP. III. the neighbouring hostile nations. A. M. cir. 3374. residue of my people shall spoil | Nineveh a desolation, and dry A. M. cir. 3374. B. C. cir. 630. Olymp. cir. XXXVII. 3. A. U. C. cir. 124. them, and the remnant of people shall possess them, my like a wilderness. 10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts. 11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen. 12 Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by amy sword. 13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make e Verse 10. Because they have reproached] See on ver. 8. Verse 11. He will famish all the gods of the earth] They shall have no more sacrifices; their worship shall be entirely destroyed. Idolaters supposed that their gods actually fed on the fumes and spirituous exhalations that arose from the burnt-offerings which they made unto their idols. It is in reference to this opinion that the Lord says, "He will famish all the gods of the land." Verse 12. Ye Ethiopians also] Nebuchadnezzar subdued these. See Jer. xlvi. 2, 9; Ezek. xxx. 4, 10. See also on Amos ix. 17. Verse 13. He will-destroy Assyria] He will overthrow the empire, and Nineveh, their metropolitan city. See on Jonah and Nahum. Verse 14. And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her] Nineveh was so completely destroyed, that its situation is not at present even known. The present city of Mossoul is supposed to be in the vicinity of the place where this ancient city stood. The cormorant p kaath; and the bittern, DP kippod. These Newcome translates, "The pelican and the porcupine.” Olymp. cir. XXXVII. 3. A. U. C. cir. 124. cormorant k 14 And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresh olds: for he shall uncover the m cedar work 15 This is the rejoicing city "that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss and a wag his hand. CHAPTER III. The prophet reproves Jerusalem, and all her guides and rulers, for their obstinate perseverance in impiety, notwithstanding all the warnings and corrections which they had received from God, 1-7. They are encouraged, however, after they shall have been chastised for their idolatry, and cured of it, to look for mercy and restoration, 8–13; and excited to hymns of joy at the glorious prospect, 14-17. After which the prophet concludes with large promises of favour and prosperity in the days of the Messiah, 18-20. We take this extensive view of the concluding verses of this chapter, because an apostle has expressly assured us that in EVERY prophetical book of the Old Testament Scriptures are contained predictions relative to the Gospel dispensation. See Acts iii. 24. Jerusalem reproved A. M. cir. 3374. b B. C. cir. 630. WO to her that is filthy and are desolate; I made their streets A. M. eir. 3374. polluted, to the oppressing waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. city! 2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. 3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. NOTES ON CHAP. III. Verse 1. Wo to her that is filthy] This is a denunciation of Divine judgment against Jerusalem. Verse 2. She obeyed not the voice] Of conscience, of God, and of his prophets. She received not correction] Did not profit by his chastisements; was uneasy and ill-tempered under her afflictions, and derived no manner of good from these chastisements. She trusted not in the Lord] Did not consider him as the Fountain whence all help and salvation should come; and rather sought for support from man and herself, than from God. She drew not near to her God.] Did not worship him; did not walk in his ways; did not make prayer and supplication to him. Verse 3. Her princes-are roaring lions] Tearing all to pieces without shadow of law, except their own despotic power. Her judges are evening wolves] Being a little afraid of the lion-like princes, they practise their unjust dealings from evening to morning, and take the day to find their rest. They gnaw not the bones till the morrow.] They devour the flesh in the night, and gnaw the bones and extract the marrow afterwards. They use all violence and predatory oppression, like wild beasts; they shun the light, and turn day into night by their revellings. Verse 4. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons] They have no seriousness, no deep conviction of the awful nature of their office, no concern for the immortal souls of the people. Treacherous · persons— they betray the souls of the people for the sake of worldly honour, pleasure, and profit. Even in our own enlightened country we find prophets who prefer hunting the hare or the for, and pursuing the partridge and pheasant, to visiting the sick, and going after the strayed, lost sheep of the house of Israel. Poor souls! q 124. 7 P I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them; but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. 8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. t 9 For then will I turn to the people "a pure 1 Ver. 15, 17; see Mic. iii. 11. Heb. morning by morning. So Jer. viii. Psa. xxvii. 14; xxxvii. 34; Prov. II. t Chap. i. 18.- " Isa. xix. 18. a Jer. iii. 3; vi. 15; viii. 12. Or, corners. 6. 22. They know neither God nor themselves; and if they did visit the sick, they could not speak to them to exhortation, edification, or comfort. God never called them to his work; therefore they know nothing of it. But O, what an account have these pleasure-taking false prophets to render to the Shepherd of souls! They have done violence to the law.] They have forced wrong constructions on it in order to excuse themselves, and lull the people into spiritual slumber. So we find that it was an ancient practice for men to wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction. Verse 5. The just Lord is in the midst thereof] He sees, marks down, and will punish all these wickednesses. Every morning doth he bring his judgment to light] The sense is, says Bp. Newcome, "Not a day passes but we see instances of his goodness to righteous men, and of his vengeance on the wicked." Verse 6. I have cut off the nations] Syria, Israel, and those referred to, Isa. xxxvi. 18, 20.—Newcome. Verse 7. Surely thou wilt fear me] After so many displays of my sovereign power and judgments. But they rose early] And instead of returning to God, they practised every abomination. They were diligent to find out times and places for their iniquity. This is the worst state of man. Verse 8. Wait ye upon me] Expect the fulfilment of all my promises and threatenings: I am God, and change not. For all the earth] All the land of Judah. Verse 9. Will I turn to the people] This promise must refer to the conversion of the Jews under the Gospel. That they may all call] That the whole nation may invoke God by Christ, and serve him with one consent; not one unbeliever being found among them. The pure language, nn) now saphah berurah, may here mean the form of religious worship. They had been before idolaters: now God promises to restore Gracious promises A. M. cir. 3374. cir. XXXVII. 3. A. U. C. cir. 124. V CHAP. III. d e of restoration. B. C. cir. 630. Olymp. A. U. C. cir. cir. XXXVII. 3. 124. language, that they may all iniquity, nor speak lies; nei- A. M. cir. 3374. call upon the name of the LORD, ther shall a deceitful tongue be to serve him with one consent. found in their mouth: for they 10 From beyond the rivers of shall feed and lie down, and none Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of shall make them afraid. my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. 11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. his pure worship among them. The word has certainly this meaning in Psa. lxxxi. 6; where, as God is the speaker, the words should not be rendered, “I heard a language which I understood not;" but, "I heard a religious confession, which I approved not." See Isa. xix. 18; Hos. xiv. 3; and see Joel ii. 28, where a similar promise is found. Verse 10. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia] This may denote both Africa and the southern Arabia. Bochart thinks that Arabia Chusær is meant; and that the rivers are Besor, which flows into the Mediterranean; Rhinocorura, whieh flows into the Lake Sirbonis; Trajanus Amnis, which flows into the Red Sea; and the river Corys. Calmet thinks that these rivers mean the Nile, which by seven mouths falls into the Mediterranean. The Nile comes from Ethiopia, properly so called; and runs through all Egypt, and falls into the sea at that part of Arabia which the Scripture calls Cush or Ethiopia. My dispersed] The Jews, scattered through different parts of the world. Shall bring mine offering. Shall acknowledge my merey in sending them the Messiah to bless them, by turning every one of them away from their iniquities. Verse 11. Shalt thou not be ashamed] Thy punishment shall cease, for God shall pardon thy sin. For then I will take away out of the midst of thee] The wicked Jewish priests and scribes who blasphemed Christ, and would not come under his yoke. Because of my holy mountain.] Thou wilt no more boast in my temple, but become meek and lowly in following him who is meek and lowly in heart, that ye may obtain rest to your souls. Verse 12. An afflicted and poor people] In such a state will the Jews be found when they shall hear the universal call, and believe in Christ Jesus. Indeed, this is the general state of the Jews in the present day; except a few that are called Jews, who are very rich; 14 Sing, O daughter of Zion shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the LORD, his in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. i k 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not and to Zion, Let not thine hand be slack. 17 The LORD thy God m in the midst of thee A Jew Verse 13. The remnant of Israel shall not do inquity] O what a change! And then, how different shall they be from their present selves! Iniquity, lying, and deceit shall not be found among them! once said to me, "Tere are shome of you Christians who are making wonderful efforts to convert the Tshews (Jews.) Ah, dere ish none but Gott Almighty dat can convert a Tshew." Truly I believe him. Only God can convert any man; and if there be a peculiar difficulty to convert any soul, that difficulty must lie in the conversion of the Jew. Verse 14. Sing, O daughter of Zion] Here is not only a gracious prophetic promise of their restoration from captivity, but of their conversion to God through Christ. Verse 15. The King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee] They have never had a king since the death of Zedekiah, and never shall have one till they have the King Messiah to reign among them; and this promise refers to that event. Verse 16. Fear thou not] Thou shalt have no more captivities nor national afflictions. Let not thine hands be slack.] This may refer, first, to the rebuilding of the temple of God, after the return from Babylon; and, secondly, to their diligence and zeal in the Christian Church. mm Yehovah Verse 17. The Lord thy God] Is mighty] 1 gibbor, is the prevailing One, the He will save] Deliver thee from all the power, Promises of favour and prosperity B. C. cir. 630. Olymp. ZEPHANIAH. in the days of the Messiah. B. C. cir. 630. Olymp. cir. XXXVII. 3. A. U. C. cir. 124. A. M. cir. 3374. is mighty; he will save," he will and gather her that was driven A. M. cir. 3374. rejoice over thee with joy; he out; and I will get them praise will rest in his love, he will joy and fame in every land where over thee with singing. they have been put to shame. cir. XXXVII. 3. A. U. C. cir. 124. 18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. 19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee and I will save her that halteth, n Deut. xxx. 9; Isa. lxii. 5; lxv. 19; Jer. xxxii. 41. Heb. he will be silent. Lam. ii. 6.——— Heb. the burden upon it was reproach. from all the guilt, and from all the pollution of thy sins; and when thus saved, "he will rejoice over thee with joy," with peculiar gladness. "He will rest in his love," he will renew his love. He will show the same love to you that he did of old to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He will joy over thee with singing.] The conversion of the Jews will be a subject of peculiar delight and exultation to God himself! There will be a more than ordinary joy in heaven, when the Jews return to God through Christ. This event cannot be at a great distance; they are as wretched and as ungodly as they can well be. The arms of Christians are open to receive them; and all things are now ready! Verse 18. I will gather-sorrowful] This may refer to those who, during the captivity, mourned for their former religious assemblies; and who were reproached by their enemies, because they could not enjoy their religious solemnities. See Psa. cxxxvii.: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down; yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song," &c. This very circumstance may be the reference here. Verse 19. I will undo all that afflict thee] They who have persecuted you shall be punished for it. It shows much malignity and baseness of mind, to afflict or reproach those who are lying under the chastising hand of God. This was the conduct of the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, when the Jews were in adversity; and how severely did the Lord punish them for it! And he gave this as the reason for the severity of the punishment. 760 20 At that time" will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. Ezek. xxxiv. 16; Mic. iv. 6, 7.- Heb. I will set them for a praise. Heb. of their shame.- " Isa. xi. 12; xxvii. 12; lvi. 8; Ezek. xxviii. 25; xxxiv. 13; xxxvii. 21; Amos ix. 14. The first clause here is translated thus by Abp. Newcome: "Behold I will work with thee for thy sake at that time." The original is obscure; and it may bear the above sense. I will save her that halteth] where there is a parallel place. See Micah iv. 6, And gather her that was driven out] By captivity. The reference may be to renewing the covenant with the Jews, who were considered as an unfaithful spouse divorced by her husband. I will bring her back to my house. I will get them praise and fame in every land] They shall become a great, a good, and a useful people. And as they are now a proverb of reproach, full of base wiles and degrading selfishness, they shall lose this character, and be totally changed; and they shall be as eminent for excellence, as they were before for baseness, in those countries where they had sojourned. Verse 20. At that time] First, when the seventy years of the Babylonish captivity shall terminate. “I will bring you again" to your own land; and this restoration shall be a type of their redemption from sin and iniquity; and at this time, and at this only, will they have a name and praise among all the people of the earth, not only among the Jews, but the Gentiles. Before your eyes] Some read before THEIR eyes; that is, the eyes of all people. On their conversion to Christianity, they shall become as eminent as they ever were in the most illustrious days of their history. Lord, hasten the conversion of Israel! Amen. THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET HAGGA I. Chronological Notes relative to this book Year from the Creation, according to Archbishop Usher, 3484.-Year of the Julian Period, 4194.-Year since the Flood, 1828.-Year from the vocation of Abram, 1301.-Year since the first celebration of the Olympic games in Elis by the Idæi Dactyli, 934.-Year since the foundation of the monarchy of the Israelites by the Divine appointment of Saul to the regal dignity, 576.-Year from the foundation of the temple, 492.-Year from the division of Solomon's monarchy into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, 456. -Year since the re-establishment of the Olympic games at Elis by Lycurgus, Iphitus, and Cleosthenes, 365. -Year since the conquest of Corœbus at Olympia, usually called the first Olympiad, 257.—First year of the sixty-fifth Olympiad.-Year from the building of Rome, according to the Varronian or generally received computation, 234.-Year from the building of Rome, according to Cato and the Fasti Consulares, 233.-Year from the building of Rome, according to Polybius the historian, 232.-Year from the building of Rome, according to Fabius Pictor, 228.-Year of the era of Nabonassar, 228.-Year since the destruction of the kingdom of Israel by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, 202.-Year since the destruction of the kingdom of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, 68.-Year since the destruction of the Chaldean empire by the Persians, 18.-Year before the birth of Christ, 516.-Year before the vulgar era of Christ's nativity, 520.-Cycle of the Sun, 22.-Cycle of the Moon, 14.-Second year of Darius I., king of Persia. -Twenty-eighth year of Amyntas, king of Macedon.-Seventh year of Demaratus, king of Lacedæmon, of the family of the Proclide.-Eleventh year of Cleomenes, king of Lacedæmon, of the family of the Eurysthenidæ.-Fifteenth year of Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of the Romans.—This was about twelve years before the abolition of the regal government of the Romans by the expulsion of the Tarquins.—Confucius, the celebrated Chinese philosopher, is supposed to have flourished about this time. CHAPTER I. The prophet reproves the people, and particularly their ruler and high priest, for negligence and delay in rebuilding the temple; and tells them that their neglect was the cause of their having been visited with unfruitful seasons, and other marks of the Divine displeasure, 1-11. He encourages them to set about the work, and on their doing so, promises that God will be with them, 12–15. A. M. 3484. B. C. 520. R. Roman., 15. IN d A. M: 3484. Na the second year of Darius | Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbathe king, in the sixth month, bel the son of Shealtiel, governor Ol. LXV. 1. in the first day of the month, of Judah, and to Joshua the son of came the word of the LORD by Josedech, f the high priest, saying, b a Ezra iv. 24; v.1; Zech. i. 1.- b Heb. by the hand of Hag-iii. 27.gai.- — 1 Chron. iii. 17, 19; Ezra iii. 2; Matt. i. 12; Luke vi, 15. We know nothing of the parentage of Haggai. He was probably born in Babylon during the captivity, and appears to have been the first prophet sent to the Jews after their return to their own land. He was sent particularly to encourage the Jews to proceed with the building of the temple, which had been interrupted for about fourteen years. Cyrus, Anno Tarquinii f1 Chron. who had published an edict empowering the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their city and temple, revoked this edict in the second year of his reign, through the evil advice of his courtiers and other enemies of the Jews. After his death Cambyses renewed the prohibition; but after the death of Cambyses, Darius, the son of Hystaspes, renewed the permission ; |