EXPOSITION. were the chief sufferers by the perversion of CHAPTERX. justice (comp. eh. i. 17, 23). They were Vers. 1-4.-The prophecy began in eh. exactly the classes for whom God had most 11. 8 terminates with this stanza, which con- compassion, and whom he had commeuded tains a warning against injustice aud op- in the Law to the tender care of his people (see note on eh. ix. 17). pression, addressed to Israel and Judah Ver. 3.-What will ye do in the day ot e--,1ually, and accompanied by the threat of visitation 1 "The day of visitation" is the a "day of desolation," when those who have day when God reckons with hie servRnts, refused to make God their Refuge will have and demands an account from each of the no resource, but to go into captivity with the work done in his vineyard, being prepared " prisoners," or to perish with the '' slain." to recompense the good and punish the bad (comp. Hos. ix. 7). It is oftenest used A foreign conquest.accompanied by slaughter, in a bad sense because, unhappily, so rua.ny and th.e deportation of captives, is not ob- more are found to deserve punishment tho.n scurely intime.ted- reward. The desolation which shall oome Ver. 1.-Woe UD.to them that decree un- from far; rather, the crashing ruin (Cheyne). righteous deorees (comp. eh. i 17, 20, 26; It is 1111dden, and complete destruction, v. 23, etc.). The perversion of judgment rather than mere desolateness, that is threat- from the judgment-seat is the sin rebuked. ened. Previous prophecies, especially eh. It was certainly prevalent in Judah, it may vii. 17-20, had informed the Jews that it also have been practised in Israel. And was to "come from far," "by them that that write grievousness, etc. Translate, and were beyond the river." To whom will ye ttnlo the tDriter11 that enregiBter oppreuum. fiee 1 'fhe prophet speaks in bitter irony. The decrees of courts were, it is clear, care- Is there any one to whom ye can flee? any one fully engrosaed by the officials, probebly who can protect you from the wrath of God? upon parchment, every outward formality Ye well know there is no one. Where will being observed, while jW1tice itself was eet ye leave your glory1 With whom will ye at nought. deposit your riches, your magnificence, your Ver. 2.-The poor . . . the widow . . . jewels, your grand apparel? You canno& She fa.therleN. Theae were the classes who eave thAm. They will all make to them• C!lt. lt, 1.......34.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 181'1
11elvea wings, and "11y away like a 'bird" le no eBCBpe for them ; they must either (Hos. ix. 11). submit to captivity or death. For all thill, Ver. 4:.-Without me. That tbia is e. etc. Even when the two kingdoms were possible rendering of the word used seems destroyed, and the captivity of both was proved by Hos. xiii. 4. But here it scarcely complete, God's wrath we.a not fully ap- suits the context. God does not spc nk peased, his e.nger was not wholly turned directly, in the first person, elsewhere in the away. Both peoples suffered grievous things entire prophecy (ob. ix. 8-x. 4), but is in their captivity, a.a appears from the Book spoken of in the third person throughout, e.s of Daniel (eh. iii., vi.) e.nd other place-a. It even in the presi,nt verse, wl,ere we he.ve took seventy years for God's anger to be "hia anger," "hi• hand." It is better, there- nppeRsed in the case of Judah (2 Chrou. fore, to give the word its ordinary meaning- xxxvi. 21), while in the case of Israel it wa.~ " unless," "except." Have they anywhere never appeased. Crushed beneath the iron to flee to, unless they she.11 crouch amid heel of their conquerors, Israel ceased to the ce.ptives that are being carried oft', or exist as e. nation. fall amid the slain? In other words, there
SEOTION V. PBoPHEOIEB OF WoE UPON FOREIGN NATIONS (CH. x. 5-xxm.)