he conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness
of Israel. (1-9) The awful punishment of unbelievers. (10-22)
Verses 1-9: The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and
that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are
foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one
another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and
Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men
were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing
answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth.
Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let
us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in
going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to
accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with
strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of
persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold,
horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon
them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without
them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to
the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian
are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full
of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains
and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are
forgotten or despised?
Verses 10-22: The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first
meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our
thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies
of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of
God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking
of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections
on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down,
either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride,
or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things
they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those
things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be
reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened
out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time
will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This
whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner,
ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were
prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here
called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all
prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not
him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let
us make this our great concern.
he conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness
of Israel. (1-9) The awful punishment of unbelievers. (10-22)