Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

We have the same subject prosecuted through this chapter as in the former. The Lord is about to punish Israel's enemies, and having begun with the Egyptians, he here declares the destruction of the Philistines.

We shall find this Chapter, as well as the several around it, truly profitable, if we spiritualize it. The Egyptians and Philistines, Moab and Ammon, were all sworn foes to the people of God from the beginning, and so their spawn continues through all ages. But, though the Lord causeth them to act as rods to correct his children with; yet, when he hath finished the correction, he will throw, (as parents do that punish their little ones,) the rod away. Here the Lord calls the Philistines to account, and gives some most awful threatenings concerning them. And thus the Lord hath said, he will deal with all the foes of his people, and finally bring them under their feet. Jeremiah 47:1-4.

I be g the Reader to remark with me, the beauty, as well as the power of this scripture. Calling to the sword to be quiet, is a fine image, to express the feelings of the Prophet, in the view of slaughter, even though of our enemies. Gracious feelings do not destroy natural ones, though they refine them. As men in one common nature, we tremble at the destruction of men; but as the followers of the Lord, Christ's enemies are our enemies, and there can be nothing neutral in this war. He that is not for me is against me. These things will all be explained at last. But in the mean time, our duty is, to refer all to his unsearchable wisdom. Shall not the Judge of all the earth, do right?

REFLECTIONS

METHINKS the Lord, the Holy Ghost, hath opened to the believer's view sweet instructions in this Chapter. Here we learn, that however long and oppressive the Philistines, in all ages and generations, may bear hatred, and show forth their malice against the Lord's heritage, yet a day of reckoning is sure, and a time of recompense must come. The Lord may, and the Lord will correct his children when they offend, and with the rod of men, for so the Covenant of grace declares; but all this shall be but in measure, while in the end their enemies will finally perish, and that forever.

And is it not a gracious, part also in God, to teach his people these precious truths, and to help them by such promises, even during their exercises, to live by faith in the expectation what the end shall be? Oh! for grace to watch and mark the unceasing tendencies of divine love in all his appointments. Surely the Lord doth stay his rough wind, in the day of the east wind. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away sin.