The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 469

that pa.sseth away. "Chaff,'' in Scriptllfe, dreams of plunder vanish, and would is always a metaphor for weakness (comp. bitterly feel the disappointment. That eh. v. 24 ; xvii. 13 ; :u:xiii. 11 ; xli. 15 ; fight against llonnt Zion. To attack Jeru- and see also Ps. i. 4; mv. 5; Job :u:i. 18; salem was to :fight against the mount of Hos. xiii. 3 ; Dan. ii 35 ; Zeph. ii- 2). It God, the place where Jehovah had" set his has no vo.l ne; man's object is to get rid of Name," e.nd where he·condescended in some it: e. light wind carries it away, and no true sense to dwell continually. . How could one inquires whither. Yea, it shall be at those who engaged in snch an enterprise an instant suddenly. Dr. Kay says it is hope to succeed? "the collapse of Jerusalem" which is here Vera. 9-12.-NEITHEn WARNING NOn intended. But most other commentators nnderste.nd, with more reason, the collapse PB0HISE COMPREHENDED BY TH0Sl!l TO WHOM of her enemies (Cheyne, Delitzsch, Vance THEY HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. "Who bath Smith, Knobel, etc.). believed our report?" says the prophet in Ver. 6.-Thon shalt be visited; literaJly, another place (eh. lili. 1), "and to whom is shall there be a visitation. On whom the the arm of the Lord revealed? " It Willi visitation will fall is not expressed; but the among the most painful circumste.nces CLt- context shows the.t it is on the enemies of Judah. The terrible nature of the visita- taching to the prophetical office, thCLt tion is signified by an enumeration of the scarcely ever was the prophet held in any most fearful of God's judgments-"thunder, esteem among his own people, or in his own eartbqunke, great noise, whirlwind, tem- lifetime. Isaiah knows the.t his warning pest, and a tl.ame of devouring fire." A.ll will fall dead-that the people and their the exprtssions are probably metaphorical. Ver. 'l .-B:er mnmtion; i.e. her defences rulers have neither " eyes to see " nor -lhe walls e.nd towen in which she put her "ears to hear." He place1 on record thill <lit, nut. 1--24.] THE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHE'r ISAIAH, 473