XIV The elders of Israel come to inquire of the prophet, ver. 1-5. They are ordered to repent, or not to pretend to inquire of God, ver. 6-11. Tho' Noah, Daniel and Job were to pray for the people, yet they would not prevail, ver. 12-21. Yet a remnant shall escape, ver. 22, 23.
Verse 1. Elders - Men of note, that were in office and power among the Jews, who were come from Jerusalem.
Verse 3. Set up - Are resolved idolaters. The stumbling block - Their idols which were both the object of their sin, and occasion of their ruin.
Verse 4. According - According to his desert, I will give answer, but in just judgment.
Verse 5. Take - That I may lay open what is in their heart, and discover their hypocrisy, and impiety. Through their idols - It is always through some idol or other, that the hearts of men are estranged from God: some creature has gained that place in the heart, which belongs to none but God.
Verse 7. The stranger - Every proselyte. I the Lord - He shall find by the answer, 'twas not the prophet, but God that answered: so dreadful, searching, and astonishing shall my answer be.
Verse 8. A sign - Of divine vengeance.
Verse 9. The prophet - The false prophet, who speaks all serene, and quiet, in hope of reward. Have deceived - Permitted him to err, or justly left him in his blindness.
Verse 13. When - At what time soever.
Verse 14. Noah - Who 'tis probable prevailed with God to spare the world for some years, and saved his near relations when the flood came. Daniel - Who prevailed for the life of the wise men of Chaldea. Job - Who daily offered sacrifice for his children, and at last reconciled God to those that had offended.
Verse 17. That land - What land soever it be.
Verse 19. In blood - In death and destruction, not by the sword.
Verse 21. How much more - If they could not be able to keep off one of the four, how much less would they be able to keep off all four, when I commission them all to go at once.
Verse 22. Their way - Their sin and their punishment. Comforted - In this proof of the truth of God.
