he destruction of Babylon, and the death of its proud
monarch. (1-23) Assurance of the destruction of Assyria. (24-27)
The destruction of the Philistines. (28-32)
Verses 1-23: The whole plan of Divine Providence is arranged with a
view to the good of the people of God. A settlement in the land
of promise is of God's mercy. Let the church receive those whom
God receives. God's people, wherever their lot is cast, should
endeavour to recommend religion by a right and winning
conversation. Those that would not be reconciled to them, should
be humbled by them. This may be applied to the success of the
gospel, when those were brought to obey it who had opposed it.
God himself undertakes to work a blessed change. They shall have
rest from their sorrow and fear, the sense of their present
burdens, and the dread of worse. Babylon abounded in riches. The
king of Babylon having the absolute command of so much wealth,
by the help of it ruled the nations. This refers especially to
the people of the Jews; and it filled up the measure of the king
of Babylon's sins. Tyrants sacrifice their true interest to
their lusts and passions. It is gracious ambition to covet to be
like the Most Holy, for he has said, Be ye holy, for I am holy;
but it is sinful ambition to aim to be like the Most High, for
he has said, He who exalts himself shall be abased. The devil
thus drew our first parents to sin. Utter ruin should be brought
upon him. Those that will not cease to sin, God will make to
cease. He should be slain, and go down to the grave; this is the
common fate of tyrants. True glory, that is, true grace, will go
up with the soul to heaven, but vain pomp will go down with the
body to the grave; there is an end of it. To be denied burial,
if for righteousness' sake, may be rejoiced in, (Mt 5:12). But
if the just punishment of sin, it denotes that impenitent
sinners shall rise to everlasting shame and contempt. Many
triumphs should be in his fall. God will reckon with those that
disturb the peace of mankind. The receiving the king of Babylon
into the regions of the dead, shows there is a world of spirits,
to which the souls of men remove at death. And that souls have
converse with each other, though we have none with them; and
that death and hell will be death and hell indeed, to all who
fall unholy, from the height of this world's pomps, and the
fulness of its pleasures. Learn from all this, that the seed of
evil-doers shall never be renowned. The royal city is to be
ruined and forsaken. Thus the utter destruction of the New
Testament Babylon is illustrated, (Re 18:2). When a people will
not be made clean with the besom of reformation, what can they
expect but to be swept off the face of the earth with the besom
of destruction?
Verses 24-27: Let those that make themselves a yoke and a burden to
God's people, see what they are to expect. Let those that are
the called according to God's purpose, comfort themselves, that
whatever God has purposed, it shall stand. The Lord of hosts has
purposed to break the Assyrian's yoke; his hand is stretched out
to execute this purpose; who has power to turn it back? By such
dispensations of providence, the Almighty shows in the most
convincing manner, that sin is hateful in his sight.
Verses 28-32: Assurance is given of the destruction of the Philistines
and their power, by famine and war. Hezekiah would be more
terrible to them than Uzziah had been. Instead of rejoicing,
there would be lamentation, for the whole land would be ruined.
Such destruction will come upon the proud and rebellious, but
the Lord founded Zion for a refuge to poor sinners, who flee
from the wrath to come, and trust in his mercy through Christ
Jesus. Let us tell all around of our comforts and security, and
exhort them to seek the same refuge and salvation.
he destruction of Babylon, and the death of its proud
monarch. (1-23) Assurance of the destruction of Assyria. (24-27)
The destruction of the Philistines. (28-32)