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| Other Passages Out of the Prophets Applied to the Resurrection of the Flesh.
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Chapter XXXI.—Other
Passages Out of the Prophets Applied to the Resurrection of the
Flesh.
Unquestionably, if the people were indulging in
figurative murmurs that their bones were become dry, and that
their hope had perished—plaintive at the consequences of their
dispersion—then God might fairly enough seem to have consoled
their figurative despair with a figurative promise.
Since, however, no injury had as yet alighted on the people from their
dispersion, although the hope of the resurrection had very frequently
failed amongst them, it is manifest that it was owing to the perishing
condition of their bodies that their faith in the resurrection was
shaken. God, therefore, was rebuilding the faith which the people were
pulling down. But even if it were true that Israel was then depressed
at some shock in their existing circumstances, we must not on that
account suppose that the purpose of revelation could have rested in a
parable: its aim must have been to testify a resurrection, in order to
raise the nation’s hope to even an eternal salvation and an
indispensable restoration, and thereby turn off their minds from
brooding over their present affairs. This indeed is the aim of
other prophets likewise. “Ye shall go forth,” (says
Malachi), “from your sepulchres, as young calves let loose from
their bonds, and ye shall tread down your enemies.”7490
And again, (Isaiah says): “Your heart
shall rejoice, and your bones shall spring up like the
grass,”7491
because the grass
also is renewed by the dissolution and corruption of the seed. In a
word, if it is contended that the figure of the rising bones refers
properly to the state of Israel, why is the same hope announced to all
nations, instead of being limited to Israel only, of reinvesting those
osseous remains with bodily substance and vital breath, and of raising
up their dead out of the grave? For the language is universal:
“The dead shall arise, and come forth from their graves; for the
dew which cometh from Thee is medicine to their bones.”7492
In another passage it is written:
“All flesh shall come to worship before me, saith the
Lord.”7493
When? When
the fashion of this world shall begin to pass away. For He said before:
“As the new heaven and the new earth, which I make, remain before
me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed remain.”7494
Then also shall be fulfilled what is written
afterwards: “And they shall go forth” (namely, from their
graves), “and shall see the carcases of those who have
transgressed: for their worm shall never die, nor shall their fire be
quenched; and they shall be a spectacle to all flesh”7495
even to that which, being raised again from
the dead and brought out from the grave, shall adore the Lord for this
great grace.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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