Jer. xlvii. 6, 7. O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet ? Put up thyself into thy scabbard ; rest, and be still. How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea-shore ? there hath he appointed it.
THOUGH the two nations of Judah and Israel were the primary objects of attention to the prophets, yet many other nations were referred to in their pro- phecies ; and the most important events respecting them were circumstantially foretold. The chapter be- fore us relates to the Philistines : and it was written
at a time when they had recovered the power, of which David had deprived them. It foretells the invasion of their land by the Chaldeans, together with the long continuance of the conflict, which should end in the subjugation of them and their allies.
We shall not confine our attention to them, but take the text as expressing generally,
I. The evils of protracted war — War is a tremendous evil —
[It is so even in its commencement : the distress of the Philistines at the approach of the invading army is very strongly depicted a : and doubtless the representation is suited
to any other country that is similarly circumstanced
What then must be the miseries attendant on a protracted warfare ! the desolations must spread far and wide ; the slaughters be multiplied ; famines be produced ; perhaps pes- tilence also be generated. But who can enumerate the miseries
which war brings in its train ? — ]
Well might the prophet desire its speedy termina- tion—
[Humanity alone, independent of patriotic feelings or pri- vate interests, would make one desire to see the sword restored to its scabbard. Some who fatten on the spoils of war, or whose ambition is insatiable, may wish to have these fatal con- tests protracted ; but every one who regards either the tem- poral or spiritual welfare of mankind, will ardently wish for the termination of them. The days described by the prophet will be desired, infinitely beyond any national aggrandizement, or personal advancement1".]
Whilst all acknowledge the evils of war, few seem to be aware of,
II. The reason of its continuance —
War is one of those judgments with which God punishes the sins of men —
[We are apt to look only to second causes, instead of acknowledging, as we ought, the First Great Cause. Doubt- less the passions of men are the immediate sources from whence the calamities of war arise: and men are strictly
a " The men cry and howl :" and the fathers are so terrified and enfeebled, as either to forget their own children, or to be afraid to look back for them. ver. 2, 3.
b Isai. xi. 6 — 9.