the Jews shall be first converted to the faith of Christ ; that their conversion shall attract the notice and admira- tion of the Gentiles ; and that they shall be eminently instrumental in converting the whole Gentile world. This appears,
1. From the whole scope of the preceding context —
[Can any one read the first eight verses of the chapter, and imagine for a moment that the Apostles are spoken of; or that their word is spoken of ; or that Christians are spoken of, under the name of Jews ? Beyond a doubt, the persons referred to are the descendants of Israel and Judah, who shall be restored to their own land, and enjoy there a state of unprecedented prosperity g ]
2. From many particular expressions throughout the context —
["The House of Israel and the House of Judah" are spoken of as the persons to whom the prophecy pertains, and as the persons who are to be instrumental in conveying " the blessings to the Gentile world." And these are the persons who have been " a curse" to the world. Can this refer to the Apostles, or to the word which they have transmitted to us, or to converted Christians, in any age ? Have the Apostles ever been a curse to the world, or their word a curse, or pious Christians a curse ? Have they ever been any thing but " a blessing ? " But the Jewish people have been execrated all the world over; yes, and have been the occasions of many judg- ments to the people amongst whom they have dwelt : and of them it is said, that they shall be " a blessing11."
Again : God says, that as He repented not, but executed upon the Jews his threatened judgments, so will he assuredly fulfil to them his " promises to do them good1." What refer- ence can this have to the Apostles, or their word, or to the Church of Christ ?
Again : He exhorts them to " speak the truth, and love no false oathV To whom can this refer, but to the Jews who shall exist at that time?
Again : He tells them, that the Fasts instituted in remem brance of the evils which had brought upon them the Divine judgments, and of the calamities which the Chaldeans had inflicted on them, should, at the appointed season, be turned to Feasts1. What sense can there be in this, as applied to the
£ Cite the whole of the passages here referred to. h ver. 13. I ver. 14, 15. * ver. 16, 17.
1 ver. 18, 19. The two former of these, the Fast of the fifth month and of the seventh, are mentioned in chap. vii. 3, 5. That of the fifth