The staff in their hand "The staff in whose hand"] The word awh hu, the staff itself, in this place seems to embarrass the sentence. I omit it on the authority of the Alexandrine copy of the Septuagint: nine MSS., (two ancient,) and one of my own, ancient, for awh hmmw umatter ho, read whmm mattehu, his staff. Archbishop Secker was not satisfied with the present reading. He proposes another method of clearing up the sense, by reading µwyb beyom, in the day, instead of µdyb beyadam, in their hand: "And he is a staff in the day of mine indignation."

Is. 10:1-4 These verses are to be joined with the foregoing chapter Woe to the superior powers that devise and decree unrighteous decrees And woe to the inferior officers that draw them up, and enter them of record! But what will sinners do? Whither will they flee?

Is. 10:5-19 See what a change sin made. The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. The tyrants of the world ar tools of Providence. God designs to correct his people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to him; but is that Sennacherib' design? No; he designs to gratify his own covetousness and ambition The Assyrian boasts what great things he has done to other nations, by his own policy and power. He knows not that it is God who makes his what he is, and puts the staff into his hand. He had done all this with ease; none moved the wing, or cried as birds do when their nests ar rifled. Because he conquered Samaria, he thinks Jerusalem would fall of course. It was lamentable that Jerusalem should have set up grave images, and we cannot wonder that she was excelled in them by the heathen. But is it not equally foolish for Christians to emulate the people of the world in vanities, instead of keeping to things which ar their special honour? For a tool to boast, or to strive against his that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacheri to vaunt himself against Jehovah. When God brings his people int trouble, it is to bring sin to their remembrance, and humble them, an to awaken them to a sense of their duty; this must be the fruit, eve the taking away of sin. When these points are gained by the affliction it shall be removed in mercy. This attempt upon Zion and Jerusale should come to nothing. God will be as a fire to consume the workers of iniquity, both soul and body. The desolation should be as when standard-bearer fainteth, and those who follow are put to confusion Who is able to stand before this great and holy Lord God?

Is. 10:20-34 By our afflictions we may learn not to make creatures ou confidence. Those only can with comfort stay upon God, who return to him in truth, not in pretence and profession only. God will justl bring this wasting away on a provoking people, but will graciously se bounds to it. It is against the mind and will of God, that his people whatever happens, should give way to fear. God's anger against his people is but for a moment; and when that is turned from us, we nee not fear the fury of man. The rod with which he corrected his people shall not only be laid aside, but thrown into the fire. To encourag God's people, the prophet puts them in mind of what God had formerl done against the enemies of his church. God's people shall be delivere from the Assyrians. Some think it looks to the deliverance of the Jew out of their captivity; and further yet, to the redemption of believer from the tyranny of sin and Satan. And this, "because of the anointing;" for his people Israel's sake, the believers among them tha had received the unction of Divine grace. And for the sake of the Messiah, the Anointed of God. Here is, Is. 10:28-34, a prophetica description of Sennacherib's march towards Jerusalem, when he threatened to destroy that city. Then the Lord, in whom Hezekia trusted, cut down his army like the hewing of a forest. Let us appl what is here written, to like matters in other ages of the church of Christ. Because of the anointing of our great Redeemer, the yoke of every antichrist must be broken from off his church: and if our soul partake of the unction of the Holy Spirit, complete and eterna deliverances will be secured to us __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew