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time of their redemption fhould arrive not any merit of theirs; because there will be fuch a great number of wicked unbelievers among them ; but for the fake of the few righteous and also in confideration of what they will be after their redemption, when they will all be good and righteous: thofe therefore, that are righteous in captivity, will happily attain to the redemption; but those that are wicked, will be deftroyed in the wars and troubles that will take place, before their final restoration.

The Prophet therefore, in figurative language obferves, Chap. lxvth. verfe 8th. "Thus faith the LORD: As the new wine is found in the cluster; and (one) faith, Destroy it not; for a bleffing is in it; fo will I do for the fake of my fervants; I will not deftroy the whole." By this image, the Prophet clearly fhews the nature of the preservation of the nation: for as there is in the clufter of grapes, husks, and kernels, whichare of little or no use, yet they fay destroy not the grape, because there is a bleffing in it: i. e. it contains that within itself, that will produce good wine: for which reafon, it ought not to be destroyed: even fo, fays God, will VOL. II I do

I do for the fake of my fervants: that is
though there are great numbers of the
tion, that are totally undeferving of bein
deemed yet, I will not deftroy the wh
but will have regard to thofe among t
who are my servants: but more especia
in regard to what they will all be hereaf
as he fays, verfe 9th, "And I will b
forth a feed from Jacob; and from Ju
an inheritor of my mountains; and my ch
shall inherit it, and my fervants fhall dy
there."
By the feed of Jacob, he meant
ten tribes; and by the inheritor of Jud
the kingdom of Judah: and they all togeth
are the LORD's chofen fervants, and f
inherit the land, and dwell there,

He also observes that, although the la of promife fince the nation hath been ca ed captive out of it, is in a moft ruino miferable, barren ftate, yet fhall it beco exceedingly rich and fruitful; feeding n merous flocks and herds; verfe 10th. "A. Sharon fhall be a fold for the flocks, and t valley of Achor a refting for the herd

f

• Achor in Hebrew, denotes trouble: and it m

th

for my people who have fought me.. For those of my people who during the captivity. fought me ; who always ftrictly adhered to my law, and looked forward to the falvation of Ifrael.

The Prophet then proceeds to inform us, that the rebellious and wicked tranfgreffors in Ifrael, shall not prevent the redemption of the nation for they will all be numbered to the fword, and the flaughter; verfe 11. 12. "But ye who have forfaken the LORD; and have forgotten my holy mountain: who fet in order a table for a troop; and pour out mixed wine for a number." Here, the Prophet addreffes himself to the rich and opulent of the nation; who forfake the LORD ; who confider the Law and commandments as a very heavy and unprofitable burden. Thus also they neglect, and disregard that essential part of the true fervice of God; the addreffing themselves to him in prayer &c. accountI 2

ing

thus be very properly called the valley of trouble; on account of the flate it is in at prefent. And the learned Abarbanal is of opinion, that Sharon denotes a plain, level, barren spot: and therefore obferves that, both the troubled valley, and barren country, fhall then become exceedingly fruitful.

ing it altogether unprofitable: afcribing things to a concatenation of caufes, with the leaft interference of the Deity: thus i ly confirming the words of the Prophe "The LORD hath forfaken the earth; a the LORD feeth not.

They have alfo forgotten his holy mou tain: they do not beftow one thought on t ruined state of Jerufalem; they mourn not i it; neither do they pray for its reftoration its former fate: on the contrary, their fo aimois to lead a voluptuous life, and to fea Fuxurioufly for which purpofe, they have grand table, covered with the choicest an most delicious viands, together with differen forts of the richeft wines; and which the Pro phet calls mixed wine: thus, do they spen theirtime Joyously; without the leaft though of the worfhip of God, or his temple, tha Hies defolate he therefore, fays, verfe 12th "Verily I will number you to the fword and all of you fhall bow down to the flaughter: because I called, and ye answered not; I fpake, and ye would not hear: " This denotes, that, while they were in the land of promife, they would not hearken to the Prophets

phets, whom God fent to admonish them: and to thofe in the captivity, he fays, "But ye did that, which was evil in my fight; and that, in which I delighted not, ye chofe." This, appears to me to be the real meaning of the paffage, according to its literal fenfe and in which, I am fupported by the learned Abarbanal*. I know, there are feveral learned commentators, who fuppofe that, Gad and Meni, are names of idols worshipped by the ancient Jews; but Kimchit, has clearly fhewn the many objections, to which this fenfe is liable: and which has induced him to explain it, as referring to the fpiritual reward and punishment after death but I am convinced, that the whole prophecy, is addreffed to those that are to return from captivity; and whom God ·will purify, as filver is purified; fo that the righteous will enjoy the happiness of the redemption; but which the rebellious will not attain: for of them, he fays, verfe 13. "Wherefore thus faith the LORD God; Behold, my fervants fhall eat, but ye fhall be famished; behold, my fervants fhall drink, but ye shall be thirfty:" This verfe, I humbly conceive,

*Abarbanal in Loc.

Kimchi. Ibid.