he ruin of Israel. (1-10) The restoration of the Jews and the
gospel blessing. (11-15)
Verses 1-10: The prophet, in vision, saw the Lord standing upon the
idolatrous altar at Bethel. Wherever sinners flee from God's
justice, it will overtake them. Those whom God brings to heaven
by his grace, shall never be cast down; but those who seek to
climb thither by vain confidence in themselves, will be cast
down and filled with shame. That which makes escape impossible
and ruin sure, is, that God will set his eyes upon them for
evil, not for good. Wretched must those be on whom the Lord
looks for evil, and not for good. The Lord would scatter the
Jews, and visit them with calamities, as the corn is shaken in a
sieve; but he would save some from among them. The astonishing
preservation of the Jews as a distinct people, seems here
foretold. If professors make themselves like the world, God will
level them with the world. The sinners who thus flatter
themselves, shall find that their profession will not protect
them.
Verses 11-15: Christ died to gather together the children of God that
were scattered abroad, here said to be those who were called by
his name. The Lord saith this, who doeth this, who can do it,
who has determined to do it, the power of whose grace is engaged
for doing it. Verses (13-15) may refer to the early times of
Christianity, but will receive a more glorious fulfilment in the
events which all the prophets more or less foretold, and may be
understood of the happy state when the fulness both of the Jews
and the Gentiles come into the church. Let us continue earnest
in prayer for the fulfilment of these prophecies, in the peace,
purity, and the beauty of the church. God marvellously preserves
his elect amidst the most fearful confusions and miseries. When
all seems desperate, he wonderfully revives his church, and
blesses her with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. And
great shall be the glory of that period, in which not one good
thing promised shall remain unfulfilled.
he ruin of Israel. (1-10) The restoration of the Jews and the
gospel blessing. (11-15)